The Cocktail Hour 1988 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: October 20, 1988
Closing: August 10, 1989

The Cocktail Hour - 1988 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Promenade Theatre
2162 Broadway New York, NY 10024

The time is the mid '70s, the place a city in upstate New York. John, a playwright, returns to his family’s house, bringing with him a new play which he has written about them. His purpose is to obtain their permission to proceed with production, but his wealthy, very proper parents are cautious from the outset. For them the theatre is personified by the gracious, comforting era of the Lunts and Ina Claire, and they are disturbed by the bluntness of modern plays. And there is also John’s sister, Nina, to contend with, although her reservations have to do with the fact that John has given her character such a minor role. Their confrontation takes place during the ritual of the cocktail hour, and as the martinis flow so do the recriminations and revelations, both funny and poignant. In the end it is evident that what John has written is closer to the truth than his family has heretofore been willing to admit, and that beneath their WASP reserve his parents and siblings are as beset with uncertainties and frustrations as their presumed “inferiors.” But while they seem shackled by the past, and tantalized by an alien future, the ties which bind them do prevail—surmounting disputes and disappointments and, with unfailing warmth and humor, converting pained resignation into cautious but hopeful anticipation.

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Hampton Theatre Company Presets SYLVIA
by Stephi Wild - Mar 2, 2020


a?oeSylviaa?? by A.R. Gurney will be the third play of the Hampton Theatre Company's 2019-2020 season, opening on March 19, 2020 at the Quogue Community Hall and running through April 5. A talkback with the cast and director will be offered following the 7 p.m. performance on Friday, March 27.

World Premiere Of SAFE SPACE Opens In Previews Tomorrow
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2019


Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce the World Premiere of SAFE SPACE begins tomorrow, June 25, and runs through July 21. This is a new play by Alan Fox; directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (All My Sons, Henry IV, Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia).

Mercedes Ruehl And Cast Of SAFE SPACE Now In Rehearsal For Run At Bay Street Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2019


Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce the cast of SAFE SPACE (June 25 - July 21) is now in rehearsal.The new play is by Alan Fox; directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (All My Sons, Henry IV, Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia). The play will star Mercedes Ruehl (Torch Song, Hustlers, Bay Street's Viva la Vida!), Sasha Diamond (Blindspot, The Romanoffs, Murphy Brown) and Rodney Richardson (The Day Shall Come, CBS's FBI, Somebody's Daughter). Tickets are now on sale by calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or online at www.baystreet.org.  The Box Office is open daily from 11 am - show time.

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rebecca Luker, Nathan Gunn, and More to Appear at Irish Rep Gala
by Julie Musbach - May 14, 2019


Irish Repertory Theatre announces performers and presenters for A 30thAnniversary Celebration, this season's Gala benefit production, on Monday June 17th at 7:00PM at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center

Strawdog Theatre Company to Receive 2018 Non-Equity Special Award
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2018


The Jeff Awards announced today that Strawdog Theatre Company will be presented with a 2018 Non-Equity Special Award for 30 years of collaboration as an innovative and provocative Ensemble. Strawdog has been dedicated to its mission of bringing audiences "the whole wide world in a little black box," and is known for its enduring theatrical history. As described by the Ensemble itself, "When the Earth is destroyed by plague, war and famine there will still be cockroaches, Twinkies and Strawdog Theatre Company."

Irish Rep Announces 2018 Gala ALAN JAY LERNER: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Featuring Jeremy Irons and More
by Julie Musbach - May 3, 2018


Irish Repertory Theatre (Charlotte Moore, Artistic Director, and Ciaran O'Reilly, Producing Director) proudly presents ALAN JAY LERNER: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, this season's Gala Benefit production, on Monday, June 4th at 7 PM at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street, NYC). The evening will honor the extraordinary contributions of Irish Rep board member Tina Santi Flaherty, reflecting her many years of leadership support of the theatre.

Actor Amanda Plummer Is Guest Of Honor at Provincetown Gala
by A.A. Cristi - May 1, 2018


The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival is pleased to announce acclaimed stage and screen actor Amanda Plummer as the recipient of the Festival's second annual TENN Award.

Photo Coverage: Gingold Theatrical Group Gala Honors Martha Plimpton and Tom Viola
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Mar 18, 2018


Gingold Theatrical Group (David Staller, Artistic Director) held the 2018 Golden Shamrock Gala on Saturday, March 17 at 3 West Club (3 West 51st Street), and honored actress and activist Martha Plimpton and actor, producer, and long-time Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola. This year's gala was geared toward raising funds for GTG's full production of Shaw's masterpiece, Heartbreak House, which will run in New York's Theatre Row on 42nd Street from August 28 through September 29th.

Photo Coverage: On the Red Carpet at the Gingold Theatrical Group Golden Shamrock Gala
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Mar 18, 2018


Gingold Theatrical Group (David Staller, Artistic Director) held the 2018 Golden Shamrock Gala on Saturday, March 17 at 3 West Club (3 West 51st Street), and honored actress and activist Martha Plimpton and actor, producer, and long-time Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola. This year's gala was geared toward raising funds for GTG's full production of Shaw's masterpiece, Heartbreak House, which will run in New York's Theatre Row on 42nd Street from August 28 through September 29th.

Alec Baldwin and Kelli O'Hara Star in LOVE LETTERS at Westport Country Playhouse's Spring Gala
by Julie Musbach - Feb 14, 2018


Alec Baldwin and Kelli O'Hara will star in Westport Country Playhouse's Spring Gala performance of A. R. Gurney's play, 'Love Letters,' on Thursday, April 12, at 7 p.m. The one-night-only, $250 per ticket fundraising event will honor the memory of playwright A. R. 'Pete' Gurney, who was a consistent contributor to the Playhouse stage, with 21 works produced there from 1980 through 2016. Gurney died last June at age 86.

Gingold Theatrical Group to Honor Martha Plimpton and Tom Viola at 2018 Golden Shamrock Gala
by Julie Musbach - Feb 1, 2018


Gingold Theatrical Group (David Staller, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the 2018 Golden Shamrock Gala will be held on Saturday, March 17 at 3 West Club (3 West 51st Street), and will honor actress and activist Martha Plimpton and actor, producer, and long-time Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola. This year's gala will be geared toward raising funds for GTG's full production of Shaw's masterpiece, Heartbreak House, which will run in New York's Theatre Row on 42nd Street from August 28 through September 29th.

Festival d'Avignon Director Olivier Py to Make Rare U.S. Appearance as 'Miss Knife' at BAM
by BWW News Desk - Sep 20, 2017


By day, one of the most respected stage directors, actors, writers, and impresarios in Europe; by night, a cabaret chanteuse expunging life's pain and love's agony-this unusual artistic double identity comes together when the director of Festival d'Avignon Olivier Py makes a rare US stage appearance in Olivier Py Sings Les Premiers Adieux de Miss Knife.

Festival d'Avignon Director Olivier Py to Make Rare U.S. Appearance as 'Miss Knife' at BAM
by BWW News Desk - Aug 11, 2017


By day, one of the most respected stage directors, actors, writers, and impresarios in Europe; by night, a cabaret chanteuse expunging life's pain and love's agony-this unusual artistic double identity comes together when the director of Festival d'Avignon Olivier Py makes a rare US stage appearance in Olivier Py Sings Les Premiers Adieux de Miss Knife.

Stage West to Bring Back ANN by Holland Taylor.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 20, 2017


Stage West is delighted to announce that its hit production of Holland Taylor's Ann will be returning to the stage for a 5-week run beginning June 9 at the Dupree Theatre, Irving Arts Center!

Ben Heppner to Return as Host for Canadian Opera Company's 2016 Centre Stage Gala
by BWW News Desk - Nov 3, 2016


When this year's aspiring opera stars take to the stage of Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to compete in the Ensemble Studio Competition at the Canadian Opera Company's annual Centre Stage gala, they'll do so with legendary Canadian tenor and CBC Radio personality Ben Heppner in attendance.

Stage West Presents Holland Taylor's Unforgettable ANN
by BWW News Desk - Oct 6, 2016


Ann Richards was a true Texas original.  With a persona as big as the state from which she hailed, she earned legion of fans (and more than a few enemies) with her wit and outspokenness. And she will be brought to vivid life in a tour-de-force presentation of Holland Taylor's Ann, beginning its 5-week run at Stage West today, October 6.  

Stage West Presents Holland Taylor's Unforgettable ANN
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 23, 2016


Ann Richards was a true Texas original.  With a persona as big as the state from which she hailed, she earned legion of fans (and more than a few enemies) with her wit and outspokenness. And she will be brought to vivid life in a tour-de-force presentation of Holland Taylor's Ann, beginning its 5-week run at Stage West on Thursday, October 6.  

Ben Heppner to Return as Host for Canadian Opera Company's 2016 Centre Stage Gala
by BWW News Desk - Jul 19, 2016


When this year's aspiring opera stars take to the stage of Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts to compete in the Ensemble Studio Competition at the Canadian Opera Company's annual Centre Stage gala, they'll do so with legendary Canadian tenor and CBC Radio personality Ben Heppner in attendance.

BWW Review: Group rep Offers Engaging ANOTHER ANTIGONE
by Don Grigware - Jan 19, 2016


Playwright A.R. Gurney, best known for Love Letters and The Cocktail Hour, has written some very topical plays, among them the lesser known 1988 Another Antigone, on the surface a dispute between a college professor of the classics and a creative student, but on a far greater level, exposing the repercussions of anti-semitism and the behind the scenes manipulation of courses and staff by a typical college administration in today's world of education. Produced in the new black box theatre upstairs at Group rep, Antigone is evenly directed by Linda Aznauer and extremely well acted by its ensemble of four, currently through February 7, only. When Senior Judy Miller (Natalia Santamaria) turns in a paper to Profesor Harper (Doug Haverty) in her Greek

Photo Flash: Remembering Theodore Bikel
by Walter McBride - Jul 23, 2015


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, acclaimed performer Theodore Bikel passed away on July 21, 2015 at age 91. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in his memory on Friday, July 24, 2015 at exactly 7:45pm for one minute.

Food, Wine Tasting and More Set for Greystone Mansion as Part of BHBA's VINTAGE BOUQUET, 4/26
by BWW News Desk - Mar 27, 2015


Incredible food, amazing wine tasting and a spectacular setting are among the delights on tap at the Beverly Hills Bar Association's (BHBA) popular Vintage Bouquet on Sunday, April 26, 2015, from noon to 4 pm, at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.

BWW Reviews: Public Theatre Revives Gurney's COCKTAIL HOUR
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Oct 20, 2014


Lewiston's Public Theatre opened its 2014-2015 season with the excellent choice of A.R. Gurney's comedy of manners, The Cocktail Hour. Assembling a fine, experienced cast and creating a tasteful production, this performance reminds us of what an American treasure Gurney is as a playwright.

2014 MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES FESTIVAL Kicks Off Today
by BWW News Desk - Oct 10, 2014


Berkshire Theatre Group is pleased to announce that Made in the Berkshires 2014 will be held on Columbus Day Weekend: October 10, 11 and 12 at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA and the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, MA celebrating the fourth year of this wonderful festival of local art and artists.

2014 MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES FESTIVAL Announces Full Lineup; Runs 10/10-12
by BWW News Desk - Sep 10, 2014


Berkshire Theatre Group is pleased to announce that Made in the Berkshires 2014 will be held on Columbus Day Weekend: October 10, 11 and 12 at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA and the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, MA celebrating the fourth year of this wonderful festival of local art and artists.

The Cocktail Hour FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Cocktail Hour have there been?
The Cocktail Hour has had 1 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1988.
What awards has The Cocktail Hour been nominated for?
The Cocktail Hour has been nominated for several awards. Nancy Marchand received a Performance nomination at the Obie Awards. Steven Baruch, Richard Frankel, Roger L. Stevens, and Thomas Viertel were all nominated for Outstanding Play at The Lortels. Jock O'Brian was nominated for Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards, and A.R. Gurney received a nomination for Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards.
What awards has The Cocktail Hour won?
The Cocktail Hour has won several awards, including the Performance (Obie Awards) for Nancy Marchand, Outstanding Play (The Lortels) for Steven Baruch, Richard Frankel, Roger L. Stevens, and Thomas Viertel, as well as the Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jock O'Brian and Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A.R. Gurney.

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