The Floating Light Bulb

The Floating Light Bulb
Cover of the Random House first edition published March 12, 1982
Written by	Woody Allen
Date premiered	April 27, 1981
Place premiered	Vivian Beaumont Theater New York City
Original language	English
Genre	Drama
Setting	Canarsie, Brooklyn, 1945

The Floating Light Bulb is a 1981 Broadway play by Woody Allen. Semi-autobiographical, it focuses on a lower middle class family living in Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York City, in 1945.

Plot

— including a floating light bulb illusion — in his bedroom.

When talent agent Jerry Wexler arrives at the house, seemingly to audition Paul, Enid seizes the opportunity for Paul to shine in the spotlight that eluded her, only to have her hopes dashed when she realizes Wexler is more interested in wooing her than signing her son as a client.

Production

The play premiered on

Cast

• Beatrice Arthur
  as Enid
• Danny Aiello as Max
• Brian Backer as Paul
• Jack Weston as Jerry

Critical reception

In his review in The New York Times, Frank Rich called the play a "conventional, modest and at times pedestrian family drama" and "nothing to be embarrassed about" although "it could easily be mistaken for a journeyman effort by a much younger and less experienced writer." He added, "There are a few laughs, a few well-wrought characters, and, in Act II, a beautifully written scene that leads to a moving final curtain. But most of the time Light Bulb is superficial and only mildly involving. As a serious playwright, Mr. Allen is still learning his craft and finding his voice. Like so many young American plays, this one is overly beholden to the early Tennessee Williams."^[3]

Awards

Tony Awards

. Considered the highest honor in US theatre.

Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Notes
1981	Best Actor in a Play	Jack Weston	Nominated	[4]
	Best Featured Actor in a Play	Brian Backer	Won	[5]

References

External links

​The Floating Light Bulb​ at the Internet Broadway Database