Leopoldstadt's Joshua Malina Hopes Audiences Question Their Place in History

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Video Leopoldstadt's Joshua Malina Hopes Audiences Question Their Place in History

The actor spoke about what it means to star in the Tom Stoppard work on Good Morning America.

By Leah Putnam

March 28, 2023

On March 28, Good Morning America hosted Joshua Malina (The West Wing), who recently stepped in to Broadway's Leopoldstadt as Hermann.

"As a Jewish actor, it's very meaningful for me to be in this play that deals with themes of family identity, and faith, and trying to be aware of where you are in history," Malina says. The Olivier-winning play follows an interfaith and Jewish family in Vienna, Austria over the course of several decades from 1899 to the mid-20th century. It continues an extended run at Broadway's Longacre Theatre through July 2.

The actor reveals that while it's easy to guess what will happen to the family at the center of the story, he hopes it also raises questions for audience members. "Hopefully people walk out thinking, 'Maybe I should question where I am right now and how secure I feel in my life.' Because as we know, anti-Semitism, racism, are rife and still with us." Find out what else he had to say in the video above.

Malina joined the cast at the same time Dave Register (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) took on the role of Fritz and Cody Braverman began playing Young Leo. Ali Rose Dachis (Fish in the Dark, Usual Girls) also joined as an understudy while company members Jesse Aaronson, Charlotte Graham, and Sarah Killough star as Leo/Aaron, Nellie, and Eva, respectively.

Previews for Stoppard's 19th Broadway show began September 4, 2022 and the Patrick Marber-directed production opened October 2, 2022 (read reviews here).

Patrick Marber, who led the West End production, helms the creative team featuring Tony-winning scenic designer Richard Hudson, costume designer Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Tony-winning lighting designer Neil Austin, and video designer Isaac Madge. Sound and original music are by Tony winner Adam Cork, and movement is by Emily Jane Boyle. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Maureen Kelleher, and U.K. casting is by Amy Ball.

READ: How Theatre Is Staring Antisemitism Straight in the Face

The Olivier-winning play originally premiered in London in 2020 at the Wyndham Theatre, reuniting Stoppard, Marber, and producer Sonia Friedman for the first time since collaborating on Travesties in 2017. Stoppard has previously had 18 plays staged on Broadway, beginning with his famous reimagining Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, which opened 55 years ago. Since then, his work has won four Tony Awards for Best Play.