Live on CNN: Embark on a theatrical journey with George Clooney in the acclaimed play 'Good Night, and Good Luck.' Tune in to witness this spectacular Broadway performance.
A Lower Broadway Showdown
When George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" hit the Winter Garden this spring, audiences were split. Some critically slammed it for being a carbon copy of the 2005 movie, starring Clooney himself as the heroic CBS newsman, Edward R. Murrow, battling red-baiting politician, Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
On the other hand, the new stage adaptation cost an arm and a leg, which left many feeling priced out of the theater world, leaning in favor of the rich instead of the masses. But, mixed opinions aside, the production was a powerhouse, boasting top-notch acting, and a gripping story that couldn't be more relevant today.
Uninterested in Othello and a Glengarry Glen Ross revival that missed the mark, critics found a convenient target in Good Night, and Good Luck. I wasn't expecting much when I took my seat at a Saturday matinee in April. Yet, as the broodingly elegant play unfolded, I found myself captivated by Clooney's quietly committed performance, and deeply moved by the story's contemporary resonance.
I left the theater wishing I could give tickets to my friends and family (thank goodness for CNN, which will broadcast a live performance of the play on June 7th). In this climate of media intimidation by the Trump administration, Murrow's defiant stance against demagogic adversity is a courageous example we all need right now.
Watching Good Night, and Good Luck in the comfort of your home may not replicate the electrifying atmosphere of theatergoing in ancient Greece. Athenian citizens would gather at open-air theaters, as a democratic privilege and responsibility. Playwrights of the time didn't dramatize current events, but used mythological and historic tales to stimulate critical thinking on contemporary concerns.
Considering that Clooney and Heslov aren't writing dramatic poetry, their more straightforward documentary-style drama serves a similar purpose. Whether you're part of the "haves" or the "have-nots," it reminds us all that we are the body politic.
With the penultimate performance of Good Night, and Good Luck, ahead of the Tony Awards, Clooney has already secured a win. In a time when accountability and truth are under attack, he embodies Edward R. Murrow's unyielding conscience, an enduring force in the American character.
Extra Insight
- George Clooney took on Murrow's role on Broadway, a twist from the 2005 film where he played Fred Friendly.
- On June 7th, 2025, CNN's live broadcast marked the first time a Broadway play was televised.
- Good Night, and Good Luck received five Tony Award nominations, including one for Clooney's lead performance.
- The play's historical significance, stellar performances, and innovative broadcast approach may go down in history as milestones in the evolution of Broadway theater.
- The production of George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck" on Broadway, a reprise of the 2005 movie, has stirred debate, with some critics finding fault in its resemblance to the film and its high cost.
- Despite initial reservations, viewers have been captivated by Clooney's committed performance and the play's contemporary relevance, prompting a wish to share the experience with others.
- Even though Clooney and Heslov's drama isn't dramatic poetry, it serves a purpose similar to ancient Greek plays, engaging audiences and stimulating critical thought on contemporary issues.
- As the penultimate performance of "Good Night, and Good Luck" approaches, Clooney's portrayal of Murrow has already been a success, embodying Murrow's unyielding conscience and serving as an enduring force in American culture.
- The Broadway play's historical significance, remarkable performances, and innovative broadcast approach may become milestones in the evolution of theater, rivalling the democratic privilege and responsibility of Athenian open-air theaters.
