Forty Carats

For the film adaptation, see 40 Carats (film).
Forty Carats
Broadway Playbill with June Allyson
Written byJay Presson Allen
Date premieredDecember 26, 1968 (1968-12-26)
Place premieredMorosco Theatre
New York City
GenreComedy

Forty Carats is a play by Jay Presson Allen. Adapted from the French original by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy, the comedy revolves around a 40-year-old American divorcee who is assisted by a 22-year-old when her car breaks down during a vacation in Greece.[1][2] Their ensuing romantic interlude changes from a brief encounter to a potentially serious relationship when he turns up on her New York City doorstep to take her 17-year-old daughter on a date. Finding the attraction between them still irresistibly strong, she must overcome her resistance to a May–December romance while contending with her mother, ex-husband, and a real estate client who wants to discuss more than business.

After two previews, the Broadway production, directed by Abe Burrows,[3] opened on December 26, 1968, at the Morosco Theatre, where it ran for 780 performances. The opening-night cast included Julie Harris (Ann Stanley), Marco St. John (Peter Latham), Iva Withers (Mrs. Adams), Polly Rowles (Mrs. Margolin), Murray Hamilton (Billy Boylan), Franklin Cover (Eddy Edwards), Glenda Farrell (Maud Hayes), Gretchen Corbett (Trina Stanley), Nancy Marchand (Mrs. Latham), John Cecil Holm (Mr. Latham), and Michael Nouri (Pat).

Julie Harris won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play,[4] in the lead role and she was succeeded by June Allyson,[3] Joan Fontaine, and Zsa Zsa Gabor throughout the run.

The 1973 film adaptation starred Liv Ullmann.

References

  1. ^ Curtright, Bob (September 17, 2015). "One-man show 'Tru' an intimate portrait of author Truman Capote". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  2. ^ Johnson, Mary (October 19, 2000). "Bowie theater's fast-paced 'Forty Carats' is a jewel of a play despite its weak start". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Schumach, Murray (January 6, 1970). "A 'Terrified' June A llyson Wins Plaudits as Star of 'Forty Carats'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "Julie Harris, actor who won six Tony awards, dies at 87". The Guardian. August 24, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2021.