Sarah Paulson, the acclaimed star of American Horror Story and American Crime Story, is making her long-awaited return to Broadway this fall. She will headline the family drama Appropriate, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The play, which premiered off-Broadway in 2013, will mark Jacobs-Jenkins’ Broadway debut as well.
Paulson will play Toni, the eldest daughter of the Lafayette clan, who reunites with her siblings to settle their father’s estate. But when they discover a disturbing collection of photographs among his belongings, they are forced to confront their past and their family’s legacy of racism and violence.
Appropriate will begin previews on November 28 at the Hayes Theater, and will officially open on December 18. The production is part of the 45th anniversary season of Second Stage Theater, which is dedicated to producing contemporary American plays. Lila Neugebauer, who directed the Broadway revival of The Waverly Gallery in 2018, will helm the play.
Paulson draws inspiration from a reality TV star
In an interview with Vogue, Paulson revealed that she was inspired by Meredith Marks, one of the cast members of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, for her role in Appropriate. She said that she was fascinated by Marks’ style and demeanor and that she wanted to emulate her “fierce” and “powerful” presence on stage.
“I just think she’s so cool and so chic and so interesting and so unapologetic,” Paulson said of Marks. “And I thought, ‘Well, that’s a really interesting way to approach this character, who is very complicated and very unlikable in a lot of ways, but also very human and very wounded.’”
Paulson also said that she reached out to Marks via Instagram and that the reality star was very supportive and flattered by her admiration. Paulson even joked that she might wear some of Marks’ jewelry designs in the play.
Paulson balances her busy film and TV career with theater
Paulson, who won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of prosecutor Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, has been busy with various film and TV projects in recent years. She starred in the Netflix thriller Bird Box, the heist comedy Ocean’s 8, and the drama The Post. She also played Linda Tripp in the latest installment of American Crime Story, Impeachment, which chronicles the scandal involving former President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.
But Paulson, who started her career in theater, said that she always wanted to return to the stage and that Appropriate was the perfect opportunity for her. She said that she was drawn to the play’s complex and challenging themes and that she was excited to work with Jacobs-Jenkins and Neugebauer.
“I think it’s a really important play, and I think it’s a really brave play, and I think it’s a really necessary play,” Paulson said. “And I’m just really honored to be a part of it.”
Appropriate will run through February 11, 2024. Tickets are available at the Second Stage Theater website.
