first priority club News THE FATAL WEAKNESS by George Kelly
Up next at the Mint:
Further Readings A reading series that further explores the work of our favorite playwrights.
Now Playing
October 20 @ 7PM
FPC Hotline: (212) 315-0231 Address: 311 W. 43rd St. Suite 307 New York, NY 10036 Box Office: Mon.- Sat Noon-6pm Sun.- Noon-3pm Performances: Tues., Wed., Thurs. 7pm Friday & Saturday 8pm Saturday & Sunday 2pm No Performances: 9/9 & 9/16 Full Price: $55/$65 FPC Price: $38.50 (Use Code: FPC)
CheapTix: $27.50 (when available) www.minttheater.org
A Comedy by George Kelly WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS is a charming and humorous examination of one woman’s second chance at love. The play tells the story of Novella DeGrant, a grieving widow who transforms into a flirtatious, middle-aged ingénue at the first hint of a possible second romance—much to the embarrassment of her previously sympathetic family and friends. Kelly was inspired to write the play after a trip to Yosemite Valley, California. He tells the story in a late-life interview, published by The New York Times in 1967. “It was spring and a native pointed to a freely running waterfall and told me, ‘That’s known as the Widow’s Tears, because they’re the first to dry up.’ I thought of calling the play that.” WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS was first announced in 1951 as a follow-up vehicle for Ina Claire— the star of Kelly’s last produced play, THE FATAL WEAKNESS. Unfortunately that production never materialized. In 1953 The New York Times again announced the possibility of a Broadway production, this time to star Francine Larrimore in the lead. Again, the play went unproduced due to reported casting problems. An unpublished manuscript of the play was stored in a library at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, never to be heard—until now. Mint Theater is proud to present a “further reading” of George Kelly’s unpublished, unproduced comedy WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS.
“Last year I was privileged to be in The Mint Theater production of PHILIP GOES FORTH by George Kelly. When I was asked to return this year, there was not a moment’s hesitation. The Mint Theater is one of the best experiences I have had in my long career. The quality, care, and attention to detail is what sets their productions apart from others. And what a GREAT group of people to work with!” - CLIFF BEMIS Now Playing Paul Espenshade in THE FATAL WEAKNESS
Reserve your seats today! This reading will be offered to the general public on September 16th
AFTER THE READING Foster Hirsch, author of the Twayne Series critical biography of George Kelly, will speak briefly after the reading. Hirsch met with Kelly in 1971 and spoke with him about WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS—we can look forward to a fascinating anecdote about why Kelly felt the play could no longer be produced!