The Immoralist (play)
{{Infobox play
| name = The Immoralist
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| writer = Augustus Goetz
Ruth Goetz
| characters =
| setting = Normandy, France. Biskra, North Africa. November 1900 - 1901
| premiere = 8 February 1954
| place = Royale Theater, New York
| orig_lang = English
| subject =
| genre = drama
}}
The Immoralist is a play written by Augustus and Ruth Goetz based on the novel of the same name by André Gide. The original production starred James Dean, Louis Jourdan, and Geraldine Page.
Plot
A gay archaeologist marries partly in hope of curbing his homosexual instincts. He is unable to consummate the marriage so the pair travel from Normandy to Algeria for a honeymoon, hoping that will kindle some romance. The husband is seduced by their Arab houseboy, but this allows him to sleep with his wife, who falls pregnant.
Cast
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! scope="col" | Character ! scope="col" | Broadway (1954) ! scope="col" | Off-Broadway (1963) |
| Michel |
| Marcelline
|Marcie Hubert |
| Bocage
|Albert Ottenheimer |
| Bachir
|Richard Manuel |
| Dolit
|Bill Gunn |Ric Fields |
| Dr. Robert
|John Heldabrand |Tom Klunis |
| Dr. Garrin
|Paul Huber |David Metcalf |
| Sidma
|Adelaide Klein |Marian Carr |
| Moktir
|David J. Stewart |Cal Bellini |
Background
The play was produced by Billy Rose and was adapted by Ruth and Augustus Goetz. The original director was Herman Shumlin.
Jourdan and Page had very different approaches to acting which resulted in a difficult rehearsal process. James Dean's behaviour was erratic as well. At the beginning of try outs, Rose replaced Shumlin with Daniel Mann; he also wanted to fire Dean but Page insisted the actor stay.[http://www.louisjourdan.net/immoralist.htm The Immoralist] at louisjourdan.net
"Dean was not very happy playing the young Arab," recalled his friend Hal Hackady later. "He didn't like the plot. I also believe he didn't like playing a homosexual on Broadway. He felt uncomfortable."[http://www.americanlegends.com/Interviews/dean_ny.html James Dean in New York, American Legends] accessed 25 January 2014
The Broadway production was initially slated to open on Monday, February 1, 1954,{{Cite web |title=Daily News 24 Jan 1954, page 214 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/455897765/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}} at the Royale Theatre (now the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre). However, due to last-minute script changes, opening was pushed to Monday, February 8, and previews began on February 1.{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 29 Jan 1954, page Page 10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/90037595/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Daily News 31 Jan 1954, page 370 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/455911524/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}
Elia Kazan saw the show during previews and offered Dean a role in East of Eden. On opening night, Dean announced he was leaving the show.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054726/http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=363624 Paul Alexander, "The Woman who Made James Dean a Star", The Guardian 22 September 2005]}} accessed 25 Jan 2014 He remained with the production through February 20, 1954. He was replaced by Phillip Pine, who stepped into the role for the matinee on Monday, February 22 (there was a Monday matinee due to President's Day).{{Cite web |title=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 22 Feb 1954, page Page 4 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/53593252/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Daily News 23 Feb 1954, page 63 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/455706030/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}} The show closed on May 1, 1954, after 8 previews and 96 performances.{{Cite web |title=The Immoralist – Broadway Play – Original {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-immoralist-2438 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=www.ibdb.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IBDB title|2438}}
- {{Playbill production|/the-immoralist-royale-theatre-vault-0000010248}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121202230430/http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/10248/The-Immoralist archive]) at Playbill
- [http://www.monsieur.louisjourdan.net/immoralist.htm The Immoralist] at Monsieur.louisjourdan.net
- [http://archives.nypl.org/the/22453 Tommy Brent press files on The Immoralist, 1963], held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
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