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Say Goodnight Gracie
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Nominated For:
Best
Play
Helen Hayes Theatre
Opening Night: October 10,
2003
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The Story
Rupert Holmes's one-man play begins
with George Burns in an intermediate state. He is caught between
this world and the next—unable to join his wife, Gracie Allen, in
heaven until he can give his final performance of a lifetime, which
will complete a perfect track record of never having missed a
curtain. The play is a guided tour through an American century, told
through the eyes of a man who savored each day. Say Goodnight
Gracie follows Burns from his impoverished youth on the Lower
East Side of New York City, to his career in vaudeville; his wooing
of and unlikely marriage to Gracie Allen; their rise to success on
stage, screen, radio and TV; her tragically youthful demise; and
finally, his second career as a solo raconteur and Academy
Award-winning actor.
History
George
Burns (1896-1996) was a show-business legend. His family authorized
Holmes to use his material in Say Goodnight Gracie. The
comedy debuted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida two years ago; it was
further developed and remounted for Broadway. Frank Gorshin (as
Burns) is joined by the voice of Didi Conn as Allen.
Creative Team
| Playwright |
Rupert Holmes
Nominated For: Best Play |
| Direction |
John Tillinger |
| Scenic Consultant |
John Lee Beatty |
| Lighting Design |
Howard Werner |
| Producers |
William Franzblau, Jay H. Harris,
Louise Westergaard, Larry Spellman, Elsa Daspin Haft, Judith
Resnick, Anne Gallagher, Libby Adler Mages/Mari Glick, Martha
R. Gasparian, Bruce Lazarus, Lawrence S. Toppall, Jae
French
Nominated For: Best
Play |
Cast
| Frank Gorshin |
George
Burns |
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