State of the Union (play)
State of the Union | |
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New York City, New York | |
Original language | English |
Genre | Comedy |
Setting | Conover's home, Washington, D.C.; Book-Cadillac Hotel, Detroit |
State of the Union is a play by American playwrights Russel Crouse and Howard Lindsay about a fictional Republican presidential candidate.
Productions
State of the Union opened at the
The play premiered on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre on November 14, 1945, and closed on September 13, 1947, after 765 performances. Directed by Bretaigne Windust, the cast starred Ralph Bellamy (Grant Matthews), Ruth Hussey (Mary Matthews), Margalo Gillmore (Kay Thorndyke), Myron McCormick (Spike MacManus), and Minor Watson (James Conover). It marked the debut of actor Ernest Borgnine, who played a small role.[2][3][4]
Both playwrights received the 1946 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.[5] John L. Toohey commented: "In Awarding the Pulitzer Prize to 'State of the Union'...the Pulitzer Committee once more demonstrated its fondness for shows with political backgrounds. [6]
The play was produced at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC in September 2006.[7]
Plot
In 1946, several friends gather in the house of James Conover in Washington, DC. James is about 60; with him are Spike MacManus, a long-time political reporter and Grant Matthews, in his 40s, a businessman and Katherine (Kay) Thorndike, late 30s.
The Republicans have chosen Grant Matthews to run for President. Grant is estranged from his wife Mary, and he has become romantically involved with Kay Thorndike, a newspaper publisher.
Background
According to journalist-playwright Sidney Blumenthal "The play's events... allude to Wendell Willkie, the utility company head who became the surprise Republican candidate for president in 1940. 'This is a play about a businessman who is a dark-horse candidate.' "[8] According to Gerald Bordman, "Many critics and playgoers saw more than a touch of the late Wendell Willkie in Matthews".[9]
Critical response
Lewis Nichols, reviewing for the
Film
In 1948 the play was adapted for a film directed by Frank Capra. The film stars Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.[12][13]
References
- ISSN 0362-4331
- ^ "Ernest Borgnine Grew Up In North Haven". Clinton, CT Patch. July 10, 2012.
- ^ "'State of the Union' Broadway" playbillvault.com, accessed November 29, 2015
- ISBN 0822210746, pp. 3-5
- ^ "Pulitzer Prize for Drama" pulitzer.org, accessed November 29, 2015
- ISBN 3643903413, p. 62
- ^ Jones, Kenneh. "Ford's Theatre Elects Lindsay & Crouse's 'State of the Union' as Sept. 22 Season Opener" Playbill, September 22, 2006
- ^ Breslauer, Jan. "Crouse Legacy Surfaces With 'State of Union'" Los Angeles Times, October 14, 1996
- ISBN 0195358082, p. 252
- ISSN 0362-4331
- ISSN 0362-4331
- ^ State of the Union at AllMovie
- ^ "'State of the Union' Film" imdb.com, accessed November 29, 2015
External links
- State of the Union at the Internet Broadway Database
- State of the Union at the Internet Broadway Database
- State of the Union at IMDb