Jessica Chastain's Broadway Debut in 'The Heiress' Recoups Investment

NEW YORK -- Producers of The Heiress have announced that the Broadway revival will recoup its $3 million capitalization during its final week of performances. The limited run closes Feb. 9.

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Adapted by Ruth and Augustus Goetz from the Henry James novel Washington Square, the 1947 play stars Jessica Chastain as the socially awkward daughter of a well-heeled but emotionally cold doctor in 19th century New York. Directed by Moises Kaufman, the production also stars David Strathairn, Dan Stevens and Judith Ivey.

The play drew mixed reviews but has posted steady if unspectacular grosses since opening Nov. 1. Publicity from Chastain's Oscar-nominated performance in Zero Dark Thirty helped bolster box office in recent weeks, along with the start of season three of Downton Abbey, in which Stevens plays the central role of Matthew Crawley.

Lead producers on The Heiress are Paula Wagner, Roy Furman and Stephanie P. McClelland. While closing date of the limited engagement was originally scheduled for Feb. 10, the show will shutter a day early to allow Chastain to attend the BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday. She is nominated for best actress for Zero Dark Thirty, which also is up for best film.

The recoupment announcement makes The Heiress one of a very small handful of profitable new shows to debut so far in the 2012-13 Broadway season. 

Productions that closed early without recovering their investment have included The Performers, starring Cheyenne Jackson, Alicia Silverstone and Henry Winkler; Dead Accounts, with Katie Holmes; David Mamet's The Anarchist, with Patti LuPone and Debra Winger; and the musicals Scandalous and Chaplin.