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Act One (play)

Act One (play)

Act One is a play written by James Lapine, based on Moss Hart's autobiography of the same title. The play premiered on Broadway in 2014.

Production

Act One premiered on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Lincoln Center on March 20, 2014 (previews), officially on April 17, 2014. Directed by James Lapine, the cast featured Santino Fontana, Tony Shalhoub (as George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart) and Andrea Martin.[1] Martin played three women in Moss Hart's life; Shalhoub also played three roles: as the older Hart, Moss's father, and George S. Kaufman.[2] The play closed on June 15, 2014 after 67 performances and 31 previews. It was filmed to be shown on the PBS television program "Live from Lincoln Center."[3] The filmed production was televised on PBS in November 2015.[4]

The play had a reading on Martha's Vineyard in July 2012, with Tony Shalhoub, Debra Monk, Chuck Cooper and David Turner. The play was developed at the Vineyard Arts Project.[5]

Overview

The play is an adaption of Moss Hart's autobiography Act One.[6] The play, narrated by the older Moss Hart, traces his life from being poor in The Bronx to becoming famous and successful as a Broadway writer and director. The play depicts Hart's meeting and collaboration with George S. Kaufman. Act One ends with the production of the Hart-Kaufman successful play, Once in a Lifetime in 1930.

Critical reception

Ben Brantley, in his review for The New York Times, wrote "whatever its flaws, 'Act One,'... brims contagiously with the ineffable, irrational and irrefutable passion for that endangered religion called the Theater."[2]

Elysa Gardner, in her review in USA Today, wrote that the play "... is rather an appreciation, most notable for its deep affection and almost deferential reverence. To say the play lacks the complex poignance of the 'Sunday in the Park with George' and 'Into the Woods' librettist's best work wouldn't be fair; however wry Hart's humor or complicated his relationships — with show business, his family, other people — his 'Act One' is a nostalgic and ultimately upbeat reflection on fulfilling a dream....Lapine captures that essence and the period, on the page and on the stage."[7]

The play received nominations for five Tony Awards, with Beowulf Boritt winning for what Playbill called his "captivating, multi-level set design, built on a large-scale revolve..."[4]

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

YearAward ceremonyCategoryNomineeResult
2014Tony AwardBest PlayJames LapineNominated
Best Actor in a PlayTony ShalhoubNominated
Best Scenic Design of a PlayBeowulf BorittWon
Best Costume Design of a PlayJane GreenwoodNominated
Best Sound Design of a PlayDan Moses SchreierNominated
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Sound Design of a PlayNominated
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding New Broadway PlayNominated
Outstanding Actor in a PlayTony ShalhoubNominated
Outstanding Featured Actress in a MusicalAndrea MartinWon
Outstanding Set DesignBeowulf BorittNominated

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.comHetrick, Adam and Gioia, Michael. " 'Act One', Stage Adaptation of Moss Hart's Theatrical Memoir, Opens on Broadway April 17", Playbill, April 17, 2014
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.nytimes.comBrantley, Ben. "Several Moss Harts Are in 'Act One,' at Lincoln Center" The New York Times, April 17, 2014 (in print April 18, 2014, p. C1)
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.comHetrick, Adam. "Curtain Comes Down on Broadway Stage Adaptation of Moss Hart's Theatrical Memoir 'Act One'" Playbill, June 15, 2014, accessed November 28, 2016
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.comHetrick, Adam; Gioia, Michael. " 'Act One', With Santino Fontana and Tony Shalhoub, Will Air on PBS in November", Playbill, October 8, 2015
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.comHetrick, Adam. "Moss Hart's 'Act One', Adapted by James Lapine, Gets Starry Reading With Debra Monk and Tony Shalhoub", Playbill, July 21, 2012
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.dramabookshop.comAct One Drama Book Store, accessed April 23, 2014
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.usatoday.comGardner, Elysa. "Lapine salutes Moss Hart's first act, affectionately", USA Today, April 18, 2014
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.ibdb.comInternet Broadway Database Listing
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.lct.orgLincoln Center Listing
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.playbillvault.complaybillvault.com Listing
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.com" 'Act One', Stage Adaptation of Moss Hart's Theatrical Memoir, Opens on Broadway April 17"
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.nytimes.com"Several Moss Harts Are in 'Act One,' at Lincoln Center"
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.com"Curtain Comes Down on Broadway Stage Adaptation of Moss Hart's Theatrical Memoir 'Act One'"
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.com" 'Act One', With Santino Fontana and Tony Shalhoub, Will Air on PBS in November"
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.playbill.com"Moss Hart's 'Act One', Adapted by James Lapine, Gets Starry Reading With Debra Monk and Tony Shalhoub"
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.dramabookshop.comAct One
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.usatoday.com"Lapine salutes Moss Hart's first act, affectionately"
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.ibdb.comInternet Broadway Database Listing
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[19]
Citation Linkwww.lct.orgLincoln Center Listing
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.playbillvault.complaybillvault.com Listing
Sep 24, 2019, 3:15 AM