Checkers 2012

Opened: October 12, 2012
Closing: December 02, 2012

Checkers - 2012 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Vineyard Theatre
108 East 15th Street New York, NY 10003

It�s 1952. A young Richard Nixon is campaigning as his party�s candidate for Vice-President, his wife Pat proudly at his side, when an accusation of financial impropriety almost ends his promising career. In a momentous speech, he takes charge of his fate, and changes the character of American politics forever. CHECKERS is a revelatory look at Nixon�s drive, history and most surprisingly, his marriage to Pat � all of which are explored with insight, blistering wit and unexpected tenderness. A gripping new play from Douglas McGrath, author of such noted films as INFAMOUS and EMMA. Directed by Terry Kinney (REASONS TO BE PRETTY, AFTER ASHLEY).

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CHECKERS Enters Final Two Weeks of Performances at the Vineyard Theatre
by Kelsey Denette - November 21, 2012


Vineyard Theatre presents CHECKERS, a play by Academy Award nominated writer Douglas McGrath (Bullets Over Broadway), directed by Terry Kinney (Reasons To Be Pretty, After Ashley), now playing through Sunday, December 2.

Review - Checkers: Nixon in Love
by Ben Peltz - November 13, 2012


When it comes to television, the 37th President of the United States is best remembered for an unfortunate debate against John F. Kennedy and later for those infamous words, “I am not a crook.”  But it was a younger, more idealistic Richard Milhous Nixon who used television to warm American hearts and save his political skin by telling the story of a little cocker spaniel namEd Checkers and bringing new respectability to the words “Republican cloth coat.”

Photo Coverage: CHECKERS Cast Celebrates Opening Night
by Walter McBride - November 12, 2012


The Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) presents the world-premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play Checkers. CHECKERS, a new play by Douglas McGrath about Richard and Pat Nixon and his landmark "Checkers" speech in 1952, is the first play of the 30th anniversary season at The Vineyard Theatre.

Photo Coverage: Inside CHECKERS' Opening Night Curtain Call
by Walter McBride - November 12, 2012


The Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) presents the world-premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play CHECKERS. CHECKERS, a new play by Douglas McGrath about Richard and Pat Nixon and his landmark "Checkers" speech in 1952, is the first play of the 30th anniversary season at The Vineyard Theatre. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the first curtain call below!

Theater Talk to Feature the Cast and Creative Team of CHECKERS, 11/9
by Kelsey Denette - November 6, 2012


In 1952, vice presidential candidate Richard Nixon, facing accusations of financial improprieties, went on national television to defend his place on Dwight D. Eisenhower's Republican ticket.

Vineyard Theatre Resumes Performances of CHECKERS Tomorrow, 11/4
by BWW News Desk - November 3, 2012


The Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) has announced it will resume performances of its world-premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play CHECKERS starting tomorrow, Sunday, November 4th at 3 p.m. The play's new opening night is now set for Thursday, November 8th.

Vineyard Theatre Cancels CHECKERS Until Further Notice
by Kelsey Denette - October 30, 2012


Due to extensive power outages in downtown Manhattan as a result of the hurricane, Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St. in Union Square) is cancelling performances of its world-premiere production of CHECKERS until further notice, starting this evening, Tuesday, October 30.

Anthony LaPaglia and Kathryn Erbe Star in CHECKERS at Vineyard Theatre, Opening 10/28
by BWW News Desk - October 28, 2012


Vineyard Theatre will open its 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play CHECKERS. Opening night is set for tonight, October 28th. The production will be directed by Terry Kinney, it has been announced by The Vineyard's Artistic Director Douglas Aibel and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

The Vineyard Announces CHECKERS Extension Through 12/2
by Kelsey Denette - October 26, 2012


Vineyard Theatre announced today the extension of the world premiere of CHECKERS, a play by Academy Award nominated writer Douglas McGrath (Bullets Over Broadway), directed by Terry Kinney (Reasons To Be Pretty, After Ashley), through Sunday, December 2.

Vineyard Theatre's CHECKERS Begins Performances Tomorrow
by Kelsey Denette - October 11, 2012


Vineyard Theatre (Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director and Sarah Stern, Co-Artistic Director) will open its 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere production of CHECKERS, a new play by Academy Award nominee Douglas McGrath (Emma, Infamous, Bullets Over Broadway), directed by Terry Kinney (Reasons To Be Pretty, After Ashley). CHECKERS begins performances on Friday, October 12, 2012 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St., between Irving Place and Union Square East). Opening Night is Wednesday, October 31st. Tickets can be purchased by calling The Vineyard box office at 212-353-0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.

Anthony LaPaglia and Kathryn Erbe Star in CHECKERS at Vineyard Theatre, Beginning Performances Today
by BWW News Desk - October 12, 2012


Vineyard Theatre will open its 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play CHECKERS. Preview performances begin tonight, and opening night is set for October 28th. The production will be directed by Terry Kinney, it has been announced by The Vineyard's Artistic Director Douglas Aibel and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

Tickets to Vineyard Theatre's CHECKERS, Starring Anthony LaPaglia and Kathryn Erbe, Go on Sale Today, Sept 24
by BWW News Desk - September 24, 2012


Sunday, September 23rd marked the 60th anniversary of Richard Nixon's political game-changing 'Checkers speech,' and today, September 24th at 10 a.m. tickets go on sale for the Vineyard Theatre's world-premiere production of CHECKERS, a play by Douglas McGrath about Nixon, his wife Pat and that historic speech. CHECKERS is directed by Terry Kinney. Preview performances begin at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.) on October 12; October 31 is opening night. Tickets can be purchased by calling The Vineyard box office at 212 353 0303 or online at

Tickets to Vineyard Theatre's CHECKERS, Starring Anthony LaPaglia and Kathryn Erbe, Go on Sale Sept 24
by BWW News Desk - September 21, 2012


Sunday, September 23rd marks the 60th anniversary of Richard Nixon's political game-changing 'Checkers speech,' and on Monday, September 24th at 10 a.m. tickets go on sale for the Vineyard Theatre's world-premiere production of CHECKERS, a play by Douglas McGrath about Nixon, his wife Pat and that historic speech. CHECKERS is directed by Terry Kinney. Preview performances begin at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.) on October 12; October 31 is opening night. Tickets can be purchased by calling The Vineyard box office at 212 353 0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.

Anthony LaPaglia and Kathryn Erbe Star in CHECKERS at Vineyard Theatre, Opening 10/28
by BWW News Desk - September 7, 2012


Vineyard Theatre will open its 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play CHECKERS. Preview performances begin on October 12th, and opening night is set for October 28th. The production will be directed by Terry Kinney, it has been announced by The Vineyard's Artistic Director Douglas Aibel and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

Checkers FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Checkers have there been?
Checkers has had 4 productions including Broadway which opened in 1903, Broadway which opened in 1904, Broadway which opened in 1904 and Off-Broadway which opened in 2012.
What awards has Checkers been nominated for?
Checkers has been nominated for the Outstanding Projection Design category at the Drama Desk Awards. The nomination is for Darrel Maloney's work on the show.

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