Great Day in the Morning is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Alice McCamley Cannon (1919–2017).[1] The play premiered on Broadway at Henry Millers Theatre in 1962. Colleen Dewhurst was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the production. The play is semi-autobiographical and based on Cannon's Irish Catholic upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri.[2]
| Great Day in the Morning | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Alice Cannon |
| Date premiered | 1962 |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Drama |
| Setting | St. Louis, 1928. The Flaherty home. |
Original cast
edit| Character | Original Broadway cast (1962) |
|---|---|
| Phoebe Flaherty | Colleen Dewhurst |
| Alice McAnany | Frances Sternhagen |
| Joe McAnany | J. D. Cannon |
| Brennan Farrell | Clifton James |
| Dutchy | Elisabeth Fraser |
| Tricky Hennessey | Thomas Carlin |
| Mrs. Grace | Eulabelle Moore |
| Schultz | Lou Frizzell |
| Owen Brady | David Canary |
| Father Finney | Gene Roche |
| Sis McAnany | Peggy Burke |
| Richie McAnany | Jeff Herrod |
| First Policeman | James Mishler |
| Second Policeman | Michael Bradford |
Production history
editThe show had an out of town tryout at the Shubert Theatre in Detroit, Michigan before opening on Broadway at the Henry Miller Theatre on March 28, 1962, and closed on April 7, 1962, after 13 performances.[3] The play was nominated for two Tony Awards for Colleen Dewhurst for Best Lead Actress in a Play and Best Director for José Quintero. Costumes were designed by Noel Taylor. Alice Cannon was the wife of actor J. D. Cannon, who acted in the play in a supporting role. Frances Sternhagen and her husband Thomas A. Carlin also acted together in this production. Tresa Hughes was an understudy in the production.[4]
References
edit- ^ "www.nytimes.com/1962/03/06/archives/carlin-and-wife-join-cannon-play-he-and-miss-sternhagen-are-added.html". The New York Times.
- ^ "Great Day in the Morning (Broadway, Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 1962) | Playbill".
- ^ "Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan". 16 March 1962.
- ^ "J. D. Cannon, 83, Dies; Actor on 'McCloud'". The New York Times.