''Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune'' is a two-character play by Terrence McNally that was first performed

off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

in 1987.

Plot

The play focuses on two lonely, middle-aged people whose first date ends with their tumbling into bed. The two are in her one-room walk-up apartment in the west side of Manhattan. Johnny (originated by F. Murray Abraham), a short order cook, is in good physical condition; but Frankie (originated by Kathy Bates), a waitress, is frumpy, fat, and emotionally defined by her unattractiveness. Johnny is certain he has found his soul mate in Frankie. She, on the other hand, is far more cautious and disinclined to jump to conclusions and at first has written off the encounter as a

one night stand A one-night stand or one-night sex is a single sexual encounter in which there is an expectation that there shall be no further relations between the sexual participants. It draws its name from the common practice of a one-night stand, a single ...

. As the night unfolds, they slowly begin to reveal themselves to each other as they take tentative steps towards the possible start of a new relationship. Describing the scene from which the play gets its name, David Finkle wrote, "Johnny calls the radio station to request the most beautiful music ever written... Claude Debussy's "

Clair de lune ''Clair de Lune'' is French for "moonlight". It may refer to: Literature * "Clair de Lune" (poem), a poem by Paul Verlaine published in the 1869 collection ''Fêtes galantes'' * ''Clair de Lune'', an 1884 short story collection by Guy de Maupas ...

"... floats onto the night air... Johnny, buoyant with love, beckons Frankie to join him at the window and to bask... in the clair de lune. It's a lovely moment..."Finkle, David
"Reviews. 'Frankie and Johnny in the 'Clair de Lune'"
theatermania.com, August 8, 2002

Productions

Off-Broadway

The play opened

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

on June 2, 1987 at Stage II of the Manhattan Theatre Club, where it ran for two weeks. Directed by Paul Benedict, the original cast starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham.McNally, Terrence
" 'Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune: A Play'"
Dramatists Play Service, Inc., 1988, , p.4" 'Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune' Stage 1"
Internet Off-Broadway Database, retrieved May 31, 2019 On October 14, 1987 it opened at Stage I for a six-week run. Kenneth Welsh played the part of Johnny in the Stage I production. On December 4, 1987 the play transferred to the Westside Theatre, and closed on March 12, 1989. Kathy Bates won a 1988

Obie Award The Obie Awards or Off-Broadway Theater Awards are annual awards originally given by ''The Village Voice'' newspaper to theatre artists and groups in New York City. In September 2014, the awards were jointly presented and administered with the A ...

and was nominated for a 1987-1988

Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Fo ...

Broadway

The play opened on Broadway on July 26, 2002 in previews, officially on August 8, 2002 at the Belasco Theatre.Listing
ibdb.com, accessed April 17, 2014 Directed by Joe Mantello, the production starred Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci. The play closed on March 9, 2003 after 243 performances and 15 previews.

Rosie Perez Rosa Perez (born September 6, 1964) is an American actress, choreographer, dancer, and activist. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Tina in the film ''Do the Right Thing'' (1989), followed by ''White Men Can't Jump'' (1992). Perez's perf ...

and Joe Pantoliano were replacements as of January 2003. The play received Tony Award nominations for 2003 for Best Revival of a Play and for Tucci for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play. A revival opened on Broadway beginning May 4, 2019 in previews, officially on May 30, 2019 at the Broadhurst Theatre in a limited run. Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon star in a production directed by Arin Arbus. The play closed on July 28, 2019.

Adaptations

A 1991 film adaptation by McNally shortened the title to '' Frankie and Johnny.'' It starred

Al Pacino Alfredo James Pacino (; ; born April 25, 1940) is an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he has received numerous accolades: including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy ...

and

Michelle Pfeiffer Michelle Marie Pfeiffer (; born April 29, 1958) is an American actress and producer. A prolific performer whose List of Michelle Pfeiffer performances, screen work spans over four decades, she became one of Hollywood's most bankable stars and ...

. He made several changes from the play, adding new characters and locations. '' Frankie and Johnny Are Married'' (2003) is a comedy film that refers to McNally's play. Written and directed by Michael Pressman, it explores the troubles a producer (which Pressman played as himself) has trying to mount a production of the Terrence McNally play.

References

External links

Original Off-Broadway production, Internet Off-Broadway Database
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2002 Broadway production at Internet Broadway Database2019 Broadway production at Internet Broadway Database
1987 plays American plays adapted into films Broadway plays Plays by Terrence McNally Plays set in New York City Two-handers