Schary obtained the rights to the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1957.[1] The original Broadway production was presented at the Cort Theatre by The Theatre Guild and Dore Schary and directed by Smajo Salcin. It opened on January 30, 1958, and closed on May 30, 1959, running for 556 performances.[2]
Campobello Island was Roosevelt's summer home in New Brunswick, Canada. Early scenes in the play's actions take place there, where we see Roosevelt afflicted with paralysis of his legs, before the play's story shifts to Roosevelt's home in New York City, where he struggles to overcome the paralysis. The play ends with the 1924 Democratic National Convention speech, which catapulted him back into politics after an absence of several years.
The Scenic and Lighting Design were by Ralph Alswang; the costumes by Virginia Volland.[2]
Reception
Alan Clymer, writing for The Harvard Crimson, noted strong performances by the cast: "Ralph Bellamy portrays Roosevelt with exceptional skill ... Moreover, he not only resembles F.D.R. physically, he has also caught the essence of the Roosevelt voice that excited the country."[3]
Ralph Bellamy stars in the 1960 film adaptation of Sunrise at Campobello, released by Warner Bros. Dore Schary, who began his career in Hollywood, wrote and produced the film, which, like the stage version, was directed by Smajo Salcin. Greer Garson co-stars as Eleanor, with Hume Cronyn as Louis Howe. The role of Sara Delano Roosevelt, FDR's mother, is played by Ann Shoemaker, who succeeded Anne Seymour in the role in the original Broadway production.
