''Nobody Loves an Albatross'' is a 1963 comedy play written by Ronald Alexander, which was performed at the Lyceum Theatre of Broadway, New York between 19 December 1963 and June 20, 1964. It was produced by Elliot Martin and Philip Rose, directed by

Gene Saks Gene Saks (born Jean Michael Saks; November 8, 1921 – March 28, 2015) was an American director and actor. An inductee of the American Theater Hall of Fame, his acting career began with a Broadway debut in 1949. As a director, he was nominated ...

, scenery and lighting were by Will Steven Armstrong,

costume design Costume design is the creation of clothing for the overall appearance of a character or performer. Costume may refer to the style of dress particular to a nation, a class, or a period. In many cases, it may contribute to the fullness of the arti ...

Florence Klotz Florence Klotz (October 28, 1920 – November 1, 2006) was an American costume designer on Broadway and on film. Biography Born in Brooklyn, New York, she graduated from Parsons School of Design, and went to work painting fabrics for Brooks C ...

. The play, set in the "living room of Nathaniel Bentley's house in Beverly Hills", is a satire of the US television industry. It featured Robert Preston in the lead role.

Cast

* Robert Preston as Nat Bentley * Jack Bittner as Sean O'Loughlin *

Frank Campanella Frank Campanella (March 12, 1919 – December 30, 2006) was an American actor. He appeared in numerous television series, as well as a few films and Broadway productions. Early life and career Campanella was born in New York City, the son of P ...

as L. T. Whitman *

Constance Ford Constance Ford (born Cornelia M. Ford; July 1, 1923 – February 26, 1993) was an American actress and model. She is best known for her long-running role as Ada Lucas Hobson on the daytime soap opera '' Another World'', which she played from 1 ...

as Hildy Jones *

Barnard Hughes Bernard Aloysius Kiernan Hughes (July 16, 1915 – July 11, 2006), known professionally as Barnard Hughes, was an American actor of television, theater and film. Hughes became famous for a variety of roles; his most notable roles came after mi ...

as Bert Howell * Leslye Hunter as Diane Bentley *

Leon Janney Leon Janney (April 1, 1917 – October 28, 1980) was an American actor and radio personality from 1920 to 1980. Career Leon Elbert Janney was born in Ogden, Utah, to Nathan Haines Janney and Bernice Rebecca Kohn. The names of his parents are co ...

as Mike Harper *

Gertrude Jeannette Gertrude Hadley Jeannette (November 28, 1914Profile
thehistorymakers.com; accessed ...

as Sarah Washington *

Phil Leeds Phil Leeds (April 6, 1916 – August 16, 1998) was an American character actor. He is best known for appearing in many movies and television series, including guest appearances in ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'', '' Maude'', ''Friends'', ''Barney ...

as Victor Talsey *

Richard Mulligan Richard Mulligan (November 13, 1932 – September 26, 2000) was an American character actor known for his roles in the sitcoms ''Soap'' (1977–1981) and ''Empty Nest'' (1988–1995),. Mulligan was the winner of two Emmy Awards (1980 ...

as Phil Matthews * Carol Rossen as Jean Hart *

Marie Wallace Marie Wallace (born May 19, 1939) is an American stage and television actress, best known for her performances in the gothic soap opera ''Dark Shadows''. Early life and career Marie was born in New York City on May 19, 1939, and grew up in the ...

as Linda *

Marian Winters Marian Winters (April 19, 1920 – November 3, 1978) was an American dramatist and actress of stage, film, and television. Biography Marian Winters was born Marian Weinstein, the eldest of four sisters born to Morris and Sophie Weinstein. He ...

as Marge Weber

In popular culture

In '' Rosemary's Baby'', Rosemary's husband Guy Woodhouse is said to have appeared in this play.

References

American plays 1963 plays Satirical plays Plays set in Los Angeles Plays set in Beverly Hills, California {{1960s-play-stub