| The Rope Dancers | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Morton Wishengrad |
| Date premiered | November 20, 1957 |
| Place premiered | Cort Theatre |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | New York City, early 1900s |
The Rope Dancers is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Morton Wishengrad (1913–1963). The play premiered on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in 1957. The play was a critical and commercial success, and transferred to the Henry Miller Theatre beginning January 27, 1958 for an extended run. The play was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. The plays tells the story of Margaret and James Hyland, who have a daughter born with six fingers and suffers from Saint Vitus' dance.
Production history
The play opened on Broadway at the Cort Theatre on November 20, 1957, and closed on May 3, 1958, running a total of 189 performances. The play was directed by Peter Hall with costumes by Patricia Zipprodt. The play was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Play, Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Siobhán McKenna, Featured Actor in a Play for Theodore Bikel, Featured Actress in a Play for Joan Blondell, Best Scenic Design, and Best Director for Hall.
A television production aired in 1960 with McKenna reprising her role along with Walter Matthau as James Hyland and Audrey Christie as Mrs. Farrow.
Original cast and characters
| Character | Broadway (1957) |
|---|---|
| Margaret Hyland | Siobhán McKenna |
| James Hyland | Art Carney |
| Mrs. Farrow | Joan Blondell |
| Dr. Jacboson | Theodore Bikel |
| Lizzie | Beverly Lunsford |
| Lameschnik | Joseph Julian |
| The Cop | Joseph Boland |
| The Moving Man | William Edmundson |
| Clementine | Barbara Ellen Myers |
| The Mother | Vergel Cook |
References
- "The Rope Dancers: A Play in Three Acts".
- Atkinson, Brooks (21 November 1957). "Theatre: 'Rope Dancers,' a Dark Idyl; Play by Wishengrad on Stage at Cort". The New York Times.
- "The Rope Dancers". IMDb.