''Last of the Red Hot Lovers'' is a comedy by
Neil Simon
Marvin Neil Simon (July 4, 1927 – August 26, 2018) was an American playwright, screenwriter and author. He wrote more than 30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, mostly film adaptations of his plays. He has received mo ...
. It premiered on
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
in 1969.
Production
The play opened on Broadway at the
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
The Eugene O'Neill Theatre, previously the Forrest Theatre and the Coronet Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 230 West 49th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and ...
on December 28, 1969, and closed on September 4, 1971, after 706 performances and six previews. Directed by
Robert Moore, the original cast featured
James Coco
James Emil Coco (March 21, 1930 – February 25, 1987) was an American stage and screen actor. He was the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award, a Drama Desk Award and three Obie Awards, as well as nominations for a Tony Award, an Academy Awards, ...
,
Linda Lavin
Linda Lavin (born October 15, 1937) is an American actress and singer. She is known for playing the title character in the sitcom '' Alice'' and for her stage performances, both on and off-Broadway.
After acting as a child, Lavin joined the Co ...
(as Elaine),
Doris Roberts
Doris May Roberts ( Green; November 4, 1925 – April 17, 2016) was an American actress whose career spanned seven decades of television and film. She received five Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild award during her acting career, which bega ...
(as Jeannette), and
Marcia Rodd
Marcia Rodd is an American actress. She made her film debut playing a leading role in the 1971 film ''Little Murders'', and later had supporting roles in films and television series. In 1973, she acted on Broadway in ''Shelter''.
Early years
The ...
(as Bobbi).
[Barnes, Clive. "Stage: 'Red Hot Lovers': Comedy by Neil Simon Opens at the O'Neill", ''The New York Times'', December 29, 1969, p. 37] The scenic design was by
Oliver Smith, the costumes by
Donald Brooks
Donald Brooks (January 9, 1928 – August 1, 2005) was an American fashion designer and creator of the "American Look" founded in the 1950s and 1960s. He had an immense passion for stage and film, designing well over 3500 costumes. His effo ...
, and the lighting by
Peggy Clark
Margaret Brownson Clark (1915June 19, 1996) was a lighting designer, costume designer, and set designer. She designed lighting for dance and opera, but she "is best known for her work on tagemusicals".
Biography
Peggy Clark graduated from Smith Co ...
.
Later in the run,
Dom DeLuise
Dominick DeLuise (August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009) was an American actor, comedian, director, producer, chef, and author. Known primarily for his comedic performances, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a frequent guest on television variety shows ...
replaced Coco,
Cathryn Damon
Cathryn Lee Damon (September 11, 1930 – May 4, 1987) was an American actress, best known for her roles on television sitcoms in the 1970s and 1980s. She is best known as Mary Campbell in ''Soap'' (1977-1981).
Early years
Damon was the ...
and then
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno (born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano; December 11, 1931) is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer. Noted for her work across different areas of the entertainment industry, she has appeared in numerous film, television, and thea ...
replaced Lavin, and
Barbara Sharma
Barbara Sharma (born September 14, 1938, Dallas) is an American actress and dancer of the night clubs, stage, television, and film. She began dancing at age 4 and professionally at age 9, dancing in nightclubs in Miami and Havana, Cuba. As a dance ...
replaced Rodd.
The play, Coco, Lavin, and Moore all were nominated for
Tony Awards
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
.
Plot overview
Barney Cashman, a middle-aged, married