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A Thousand Clowns is a comedic stage play written by American playwright Herb Gardner. The play premiered on Broadway in 1962 and was a critical and commercial success. The play was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play and since the original production has been revived twice on Broadway in 1996 and 2001.
Inspired by two elderly men Gardner met in New York City's Central Park, the play focuses on Nat Moyer, a feisty Jew, and Midge Carter, a cantankerous African-American, who spend their days sitting on a bench. They both mask the realities of aging, sharing tall tales that Nat spins. The play touches on several issues, including society's treatment of the aging, the difficulties dealing with adult children who think they know what's best for their parents, and the dangers that lurk in urban areas. Its title comes from an old vaudeville joke, a variation of which evolved into dialogue between the two protagonists: Nat: Hey, Rappaport! I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been? Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: Rappaport, what happened to you? You used to be a short fat guy, and now you're a tall skinny guy. Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: Rappaport, you used to be a young guy with a beard, and now you're an old guy with a mustache. Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: Rappaport, how has this happened? You used to be a cowardly little white guy, and now you're a big imposing black guy. Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: And you changed your name, too!
One Night Stand is a musical with a book and lyrics by Herb Gardner and music by Jule Styne. Its plot centers on a songwriter who feels he's past his prime. Styne had approached Gardner about adapting his play A Thousand Clowns for the musical stage, but Gardner was more interested in working on an original project. According to producer Joe Kipness, the collaboration was ill-conceived, since the two men could not agree about anything. The Broadway production, directed by John Dexter and choreographed by Peter Gennaro, began previews at the Nederlander Theatre on October 20, 1980. After eight performances, it closed without ever officially opening. The cast included Charles Kimbrough, Catherine Cox, Jack Weston, and Brandon Maggart. A cast album was released by Original Cast Records.
As their twelve-year marriage deteriorates, Martin and Sally Cramer grow apart over their work, values, and ambitions; infidelity, an unwanted pregnancy, and a planned move deepen the conflict.
A Thousand Clowns is a comedic stage play written by American playwright Herb Gardner. The play premiered on Broadway in 1962 and was a critical and commercial success. The play was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play and since the original production has been revived twice on Broadway in 1996 and 2001.
Inspired by two elderly men Gardner met in New York City's Central Park, the play focuses on Nat Moyer, a feisty Jew, and Midge Carter, a cantankerous African-American, who spend their days sitting on a bench. They both mask the realities of aging, sharing tall tales that Nat spins. The play touches on several issues, including society's treatment of the aging, the difficulties dealing with adult children who think they know what's best for their parents, and the dangers that lurk in urban areas. Its title comes from an old vaudeville joke, a variation of which evolved into dialogue between the two protagonists: Nat: Hey, Rappaport! I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been? Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: Rappaport, what happened to you? You used to be a short fat guy, and now you're a tall skinny guy. Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: Rappaport, you used to be a young guy with a beard, and now you're an old guy with a mustache. Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: Rappaport, how has this happened? You used to be a cowardly little white guy, and now you're a big imposing black guy. Midge: I'm not Rappaport. Nat: And you changed your name, too!
One Night Stand is a musical with a book and lyrics by Herb Gardner and music by Jule Styne. Its plot centers on a songwriter who feels he's past his prime. Styne had approached Gardner about adapting his play A Thousand Clowns for the musical stage, but Gardner was more interested in working on an original project. According to producer Joe Kipness, the collaboration was ill-conceived, since the two men could not agree about anything. The Broadway production, directed by John Dexter and choreographed by Peter Gennaro, began previews at the Nederlander Theatre on October 20, 1980. After eight performances, it closed without ever officially opening. The cast included Charles Kimbrough, Catherine Cox, Jack Weston, and Brandon Maggart. A cast album was released by Original Cast Records.
As their twelve-year marriage deteriorates, Martin and Sally Cramer grow apart over their work, values, and ambitions; infidelity, an unwanted pregnancy, and a planned move deepen the conflict.