When it comes to the Manhattan Theatre Club’s upcoming production of Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes, which will see Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon playing Regina Hubbard Giddens and Birdie Hubbard in repertory appearing opposite each other during every performance, it’s anybody’s guess at how exactly it’s going to come together. “It’s a big experiment for everybody,” says Linney, who actually suggested that she and Nixon rotate the roles and, admittedly, has no idea if it’s actually going to work. “I love that I have no idea.” For both actors, it’s quite possible the greatest thing about it.

“The bizarre thing is trying to find your own Regina and your own Birdie while the actress across from you is also trying to find it,” Nixon says, while adding that the whole concept is “very liberating.”

“I’m sure Cynthia and I are going to play both parts differently, and who...