John Lithgow Play ‘Giant’ Recoups $5.6 Million Broadway Investment

“Giant,” a play starring John Lithgow as author Roald Dahl, has recouped its entire production cost after 10 weeks on Broadway. The show, which is running for a limited 16-week engagement, was capitalized at $5.6 million.

“Giant” revolves around a 1983 scandal that forces Dahl to choose between risking his reputation or making a public apology after writing a book review that garnered backlash for being antisemitic. The Broadway production has been nominated for four Tony Awards, including best play, actor for Lithgow and featured actress for Aya Cash. Mark Rosenblatt wrote the Olivier Award-winning play, which was directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Related Stories

Kelly Clarkson Sets 'The Voice' Return for Season 30

Only three other shows, “Every Brilliant Thing,” which launched with Daniel Radcliffe; “Waiting for Gadot” with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter; and “Art,” starring Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby Cannavale and James Corden, have recouped this season. Plays, which are typically less expensive to produce, oftentimes have an easier time recouping compared to musicals. “Just In Time,” a biographical show about Bobby Darin, just recouped its $12.5 million investment after nearly two years on Broadway. Only four other musicals to open since the pandemic, “MJ,” “Six,” “& Juliet,” and “The Outsiders,” have managed to achieve profitability on Broadway.

“Giant” began performances at the Music Box Theatre on March 11; it’s running through June 28. The play has garnered rave reviews, particularly for Lithgow’s “titanic performance,” per Variety’s critic Daniel D’Addario.

Producers recently announced a filmed version of “Giant” will be released on the big screen in the fall. Recorded at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre with Lithgow, Cash, Elliot Levey and Rachael Stirling, the movie will play in cinemas starting on Nov. 19 in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and select international territories.