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Elaine May

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Elaine May 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.

Elaine May Photos

Elaine May STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Premiere, 2018
Gladys Green

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Ms. Asquith/Sue

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1960
Performer

[Broadway]
Performer

Elaine May Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 1969]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright

Elaine May Movies

[1967]Enter Laughing Angela Marlowe

[1967]Luv Ellen Manville

[1971]A New Leaf Henrietta Lowell

[1971]Such Good Friends writer

[1976]Mikey and Nicky writer

[1978]California Suite Millie Michaels

[1978]Heaven Can Wait writer

[1987]Ishtar original songs

[1990]In the Spirit Marianne Flan

[1996]The Birdcage writer

[1998]Primary Colors writer

[2000]Small Time Crooks May

[2021]The Same Storm Ruth Lipsman Berg

Elaine May Videos

Elaine May News


Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, Jake Gyllenhaal & More to Join Upcoming 92NY Events

Join the star-studded lineup of 92NY events featuring Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Experience unforgettable performances by renowned actors in an unmissable series of events. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to witness their talent firsthand.

RENT and More Set For Bergen County Players 2023-24 Season

The Bergen County Players, one of America's longest-running little theater companies, is proud to announce its 2023/24 season with an ambitious, joyous, and playful year of audience-pleasing musicals and innovative plays for its 91st season.

F. Murray Abraham Announced As Guest For Jason Kravits' OFF THE TOP! at Joe's Pub

Academy Award Winner, Broadway legend and White Lotus star F. Murray Abraham will join Jason Kravits for Joe's Pub debut.

Sophie Zucker to Bring SOPHIE SUCKS FACE to Edinburgh Fringe 2023 This Summer

The Daily Show and Apple TV's Sophie Zucker will be coming to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time this year with her unique blend of musical comedy to perform her show Sophie Sucks Face at the Underbelly in Bristo Square.

Sophie Zucker Makes Edinburgh Fringe Debut With SOPHIE SUCKS FACE

The Daily Show and Apple TV’s Sophie Zucker will be coming to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time this year with her unique blend of musical comedy to perform her show Sophie Sucks Face at the Underbelly in Bristo Square. 

Dorset Theatre Festival Opens 46th Season With Adaptation Of Stephen King's MISERY

Dorset Theatre Festival will open the 46th Season of professional summer theatre at the Dorset Playhouse with William Goldman's edge-of-your-seat adaptation of Stephen King's novel, Misery, which inspired the 1990 Oscar-winning film, directed by Jackson Gay.

Jason Kravits Will Make Joe's Pub Debut July 14th With Smash Hit Show OFF THE TOP!

OFF the TOP! with JASON KRAVITS, the Award-Winning Completely Improvised Cabaret, Heads Downtown to JOE'S PUB on July 14th at 7 pm

FRASIER Star Dan Butler and Director Aneesha Kudtarkar to Join Dorset Theatre Festival's 2023 Season

Dorset Theatre Festival has announced full casting for Stephen King's Misery, adapted for the stage by William Goldman, which will open the 46th Season (June 23 - July 8), and the director for the third show of the season, Kate Hamill's Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson - Apt. 2B (August 11 - 26). 

UNLUCKY GAL is the Second Segment Of ALL THE COURT'S A STAGE A Series Of One-Act Plays Based On Seven Of Martin Garbus' Law Cases

Unlucky Gal is the second segment of 'All The Court's A Stage,' a series of one-act plays that are based on seven of Martin Garbus' cases and directed by Antony Marsellis.

Original Cast Album For SOPHIE SUCKS FACE is Available Now

The original cast album for Sophie Zucker's one woman musical 'Sophie Sucks Face' is currently available to listen on Spotify. Music and lyrics are written by Sophie Zucker ('The Daily Show', Apple TV's 'Dickinson') and produced by James Lambros a.k.a. Jimmy Lit.

SOPHIE SUCKS FACE and SIDE BY SIDE Head to MITU580 in June

Sophie Zucker ('The Daily Show') and Maggie Crane (New York Comedy Festival) are teaming up to bring their solo acts in a hilarious double header to Theater Mitu on June 1-2 before they cross the pond to make their Edinburgh Fringe Festival debuts in August.

Full Cast and Creative Team Set to Join Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

The full cast and creative team have been announced for world premiere of Brokeback Mountain, a new play with music, written by Ashley Robinson with songs by Dan Gillespie Sells, based on Annie Proulx's short story, and directed by Jonathan Butterell.

Interview: Broadway Producer Julian Schlossberg

Producer Julian Schlossberg's autobiography, TRY NOT TO HOLD IT AGAINST ME, is a chronicle of singular moments and stars of Broadway.

The Ensemble Company To Present Explosive WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

The Ensemble Company, now in their fifth year in residence at Penguin Point Productions located within the Oviedo Mall, continues its 2023 season with a production of Edward Albee's masterpiece, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which celebrated 60 years in 2022.  Virginia Woolf is rescheduled from The Ensemble Company's 2022 season.

Julie Benko Will Join OFF the TOP! with Jason Kravits at Birdland Theater

OFF the TOP! with JASON KRAVITS, the Award-Winning Completely Improvised Cabaret, Returns to Birdland Theater March 27th at 8:30pm.

Julie Benko Joins Upcoming OFF THE TOP! With Jason Kravits at the Birdland Theater

OFF the TOP! with JASON KRAVITS, the award winning, completely improvised musical, returns to Birdland Theater on March 27th at 8:30pm.

OFF the TOP! with JASON KRAVITS Returns to Birdland Theater March 27th

Over the course of an exhilarating 75 minutes, Kravits keeps you on the edge of your seat by using audience suggestions pulled from a fishbowl to create an entire life story in song, with every bit of it - including every lyric and melody - made up on the spot!

Have Any Broadway Plays Ever Closed Before They Opened? Part 2

This month, the reader question was: Have any Broadway plays ever closed before they opened? Check out the second part of this historical deep dive!

Producer Julian Schlossberg's Memoir TRY NOT TO HOLD IT AGAINST ME Now in its 2nd Printing

Try Not to Hold It Against Me: A Producer’s Life, the new memoir from legendary stage and screen producer Julian Schlossberg is now available on Amazon and where books are sold. Within days of its January 31 release, the book entered its 2nd printing.

Kal Penn to Host 2023 PEN America Literary Awards

Kal Penn, the acclaimed actor, author, and former Obama White House aide, will host the 60th annual PEN America Literary Awards, to be held Thursday, March 2, at The Town Hall in New York City. 

Elaine May 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 .

Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk 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/ Nextand Best New Playwright (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).

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