Lillian Hellman's "The Little Foxes" Starring Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon Swapping Roles

Lillian Hellman (b Amer 1905-1994) is one of the most acclaimed playwright, author of the 20th C.  "The Little Foxes" first premiered on Broadway in 1939 and has many revivals since but it's hard pressed to think of a more captivating production.  The superb cast starred Laura Linney in the leading role of Regina Giddens & Cynthia Nixon in the supporting role of Birdie Hubbard.  These talented theater & screen actresses switch characters during the run of the play.  The rest of the exceptional ensemble cast included:  Richard Thomas (Horace Giddens, Regina's husband), Michael McKean (Ben Hubbard, Regina's brother) and Darren Goldstein (Oscar Hubbard, Regina's brother & Birdie's brutish husband).  Hellman's play set in the South near the end of the 19th C is timepiece of southern aristocracy with shades of social climbing, racial subjugation, misogyny,  treachery and disillusionment.  Horace is in a loveless marriage with Regina whose only real love is money & social status.  Regina & her 2 brothers share similar cruel, ruthless and devious traits.   Hellman's classical play have timeless themes that resonates today.  Oscar Hubbard is a modern day Bernie Madoff complicit with his son & brother.   The level to which the unscrupulous Hubbard men stoop is fiendishly out maneuvered by Regina's ruthless cunning.  Nixon plays Birdie with heartbreaking flightiness & vulnerabilities.  Addie, the Hubbard's Negro maid is the conscience of the play.  She speaks to the immorality of witnessing evil & doing nothing.  "For every man who lives without freedom, the rest of us must face the guilt." (L Hellman)  The revival of "The Little Foxes" is only running through the 1st two weeks of July.  I recommend seeing this first-rate revival twice.  It's worth seeing the production with Nixon & Linney in rotating roles.