Plot In
The Shock of Recognition, playwright Jack Barnstable auditions Richard Pawling for a role that requires nudity and discovers the overeager actor is more than willing to show his stuff.
The Footsteps of Doves focuses on Harriet and George, a married couple shopping for twin beds after many years of marriage. George, who is opposed to the change, strikes up a conversation with Jill, a considerably younger fellow shopper who shares his view. In ''I'll Be Home for Christmas
, Chuck and Edith realize how empty their marriage has become as they await the arrival of their adult children. I'm Herbert'' is a scattered conversation between Herbert and Muriel, an elderly couple with memory problems who try in vain to recall their earlier relationships. After 15 previews, the original
Broadway production opened on March 13, 1967, at the
Ambassador Theatre. It transferred twice, to the
Broadhurst Theatre and then the
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, before it completed its run of 756 performances on January 4, 1969. Directed by
Alan Schneider, the opening night cast included
Eileen Heckart,
Martin Balsam,
George Grizzard, and
Melinda Dillon. Replacements later in the run included
Larry Blyden,
Irene Dailey, and
William Redfield.
Costume design was by
Theoni V. Aldredge and
lighting design was by
Jules Fisher. Balsam won the
Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play. Schneider was nominated for the
Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play but lost to
Mike Nichols for
Plaza Suite. == Productions ==