Elaine May
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New York Theater Festival Will Present THE DISCERNING DUMMY World Premiere (Oct 22, 2025)
BIO
Elaine May was a founding member of the improvisational theater groups the Compass Players and The Second City. She first came to national prominence with Nichols and May, her improvisational comedy duo with Mike Nichols, which became an immediate and overnight sensation, and stands as one of the most iconic comedy teams in history. Their hit recordings include the Grammy Award-winning chart-topping classic, An Evening With Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Improvisations to Music, Mike Nichols and Elaine May Examine Doctors, and In Retrospect; and their work has influenced many of the greatest comedians of our time, including Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and the "Saturday Night Live" Not Ready for Prime Time Players. By perfecting the art of improvisation and introducing it to the public through their appearances in clubs and on television and radio, Nichols and May forever changed the face of comedy, and our collective sense of humor. Ms. May's select writing credits include the films The Birdcage starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane (reuniting her with Mike Nichols), Heaven Can Wait, Wolf, Reds, Primary Colors, A New Leaf, and Ishtar (she also directed the latter two films). Ms. May also directed the hit 1972 film, The Heartbreak Kid. The Waverly Gallery marks Elaine May's first appearance on Broadway since her 1960 debut in An Evening With Mike Nichols and Elaine May.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Movies
[ 1967 ] Angela Marlowe
[ 1967 ] Ellen Manville
[ 1971 ] Henrietta Lowell
[ 1971 ] writer
[ 1976 ] writer
[ 1978 ] Millie Michaels
[ 1978 ] writer
[ 1987 ] original songs
[ 1990 ] Marianne Flan
[ 1996 ] writer
[ 1998 ] writer
[ 2000 ] May
[ 2021 ] Ruth Lipsman Berg
Awards and Nominations
winner
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
winner
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
winner
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery
winner
Elaine May, Adaptation
winner
Elaine May, Adaptation/ Next
winner
Elaine May, Adaptation/ Next
Videos
Video: Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for NEW YORK, NEW YORK; Plus Watch a New Trailer!
by Nicole Rosky - 2023-02-01 12:00:20
VIDEO: Renée Taylor Recalls Jack Paar in MY LIFE ON A DIET
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2019-11-14 12:34:02
VIDEO: Lucas Hedges Talks About His Broadway Debut in THE WAVERLY GALLERY
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2018-12-14 15:59:51
VIDEO: Lucas Hedges Talks to Seth Meyers About His Broadway Debut in THE WAVERLY GALLERY
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2018-11-06 08:36:05
VIDEO: Lucas Hedges Discusses His 'Big Break' on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2018-10-24 12:44:11
VIDEO: Netflix Shares the Trailer for SOMEBODY FEED PHIL Season 2
by Macon Prickett - 2018-06-27 11:42:38
VIDEO: The Second City Borrows A Classic Movie Musical Moment To Say 'Bye, Bye, Bernie'
by Michael Dale - 2016-07-13 14:33:56
VIDEO: First Look - Meryl Streep Pays Tribute to Mike Nichols in Upcoming PBS Documentary
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-01-28 10:02:02
VIDEO: First Look - Matthew Broderick & More in AMERICAN MASTERS Mike Nichols Documentary
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-01-26 14:16:24
STAGE TUBE: A Mike Nichols Retrospective: Remembering the Entertainment Icon
by Tyler Peterson - 2014-11-20 10:19:09
STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek at The Directors Company's JERICHO at 59E59
by Stage Tube - 2013-10-21 20:35:00
STAGE TUBE: Marlo Thomas Talks RELATIVELY SPEAKING on THE VIEW
by Nicole Rosky - 2011-12-14 14:49:23
AUDIO: Marlo Thomas and Steve Guttenberg Talk RELATIVELY SPEAKING on the Leonard Lopate Show!
by Kelsey Denette - 2011-11-17 20:23:07
STAGE TUBE: RELATIVELY SPEAKING's Marlo Thomas Visits JOY BEHAR SHOW
by Nicole Rosky - 2011-11-15 14:00:57
TV: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE: Marlo Thomas Relatively Speaking - Talks Career, Charity and Being Back on Broadway
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - 2011-11-15 08:02:50
News
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2025
The Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center have announced the full lineup for the 35th annual New York Jewish Film Festival, returning to the Walter Reade Theater in Manhattan.
by Stephen Mosher - Dec 7, 2025
Don't be confused by the graphic! This is no take-off on that movie about Ralphie...
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2025
New York Theater Festival will premiere The Discerning Dummy by Juan Carlos Hernandez at The LATEA Theater, running November 17–22, 2025. The play follows a young seminarian and his ventriloquist dummy as they navigate questions of faith, corruption, and conscience.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 10, 2025
The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY) will present Gabriel Kahane & Friends: only light can do that, a 92NY commission, in October. Learn more and see how to attend!
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 30, 2025
June Squibb is a beloved actor with an incredibly long career—but does 96 make her the oldest actor to play Broadway in a regular production with 8 performances a week? According to our research, that is indeed the case!
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 1, 2025
Foster Cat Productions will take audiences on a nostalgic flight this August with a rare staging of It’s a Bird... It’s a Plane... It’s Superman!, the campy cult musical from the creators of Annie and Bye Bye Birdie.
by R. Scott Reedy - Jul 1, 2025
Because of its great cultural and intellectual influence, Boston has been known as the Athens of America for centuries. That sobriquet is as true today as ever thanks to the area’s vibrant theater scene featuring pre-Broadway productions and national tours, Tony Award-winning regional theaters, and a host of other theater companies presenting everything from Shakespeare to classic and contemporary plays, musicals and concerts.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 26, 2025
Television and Broadway star (and Snow White's 'Sneezy'), Jason Kravits, returns to Joe's Pub with his critically acclaimed solo show, “OFF the TOP!” Learn more here!
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 18, 2025
Berkshire Theatre Group to present a landmark theatrical event this summer with the world premiere of Dying is No Excuse, written and performed by Renée Taylor and directed by the legendary Elaine May.
by Sidney Paterra - May 26, 2025
Few honors in entertainment are as coveted—or as rare—as achieving EGOT status. This elite distinction marks a career filled with versatility, longevity, and extraordinary talent across multiple mediums. What does it all mean? We're taking a closer look at the artists who have managed to join one of the industry’s most exclusive clubs.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2025
Good Night, and Good Luck is now in previews on Broadway, The new play by George Clooney and Grant Heslov and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer, stars Clooney in his Broadway debut. Meet the cast here!
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 1, 2025
Bershire Theatre Group's 2025 Summer Season, featuring a lineup of plays and musicals at both The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge and The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 24, 2025
Conversations with Mother, a new comedy by Matthew Lombardo starring Caroline Aaron and Matt Doyle, just celebrated its opening night at Theater 555. Check out what the New York theater critics are saying about the new play...
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025
George Street Playhouse has announced that Artistic Director David Saint will retire as Artistic Director at the conclusion of the 2024/2025 season. George Street Playhouse will honor Saint at the 2025 Gala.
by Cara Joy David - Jan 13, 2025
Buyers of tickets to live performances sometimes feel like they should get their money back, but it’s usually when a star drops out, after seeing a show, or at least after the reviews come out. All In: Comedy About Love instead had several people requesting refunds when they simply heard more about it.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2024
Discover the final week of the New York premiere of SUMP'N LIKE WINGS at Theatre Row.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 30, 2024
Mint Theater Company has released a first look at the New York Premiere of Sump'n Like Wings by Lynn Riggs, author of more than thirty plays including Green Grow the Lilacs, the basis for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s landmark musical Oklahoma! Written in 1925, Sump'n Like Wings was published in 1928.
by Ricky Pope - Sep 18, 2024
In show business, there are very few sure things. But Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch singing songs by Hoagy Carmichael is about as close as it gets. The September 15th show was perfection.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 21, 2024
Foster Cat Productions' Serious Business will bring Alan Arkin's Virtual Reality and Elaine May's Hotline to The Hobgoblin Playhouse. Learn how to purchase tickets.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 21, 2024
The full cast has been announced for the new production of Seán O'Casey's timeless masterpiece, Juno and the Paycock, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Elaine May has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.
Elaine May has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Waverly Gallery, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Waverly Gallery, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Waverly Gallery, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Waverly Gallery, Most Promising Playwright (Drama Desk Awards) for Adaptation, Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Adaptation/ Next and Best New Playwright (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Adaptation/ Next.
Elaine May has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Outstanding Actress in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in The Waverly Gallery. Additionally, she earned the Outstanding Actress in a Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. May also won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for The Waverly Gallery. As a playwright, she was honored with the Most Promising Playwright award from the Drama Desk Awards for Adaptation. Furthermore, she won the Best Director award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Adaptation/Next and the Best New Playwright award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Adaptation/Next.
Elaine May has written 11 shows including An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May (Playwright), 3 x 3 (Playwright), Adaptation/ Next (Playwright), Mr. Gogol and Mr. Preen (Playwright), Death Defying Acts (Playwright), Power Plays (Playwright), Taller Than A Dwarf (Playwright), Short Talks on the Universe (Playwright), Adult Entertainment (Lyricist), After the Night and the Music (Playwright), Relatively Speaking (Playwright).
Videos