Elaine May
Latest News on Elaine May:
Six Degrees of Broadway
See how many degrees separate Elaine May from another Broadway star or creative.
Elaine May
Connection
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
See how Elaine May connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
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: DEATH OF A SALESMAN Celebrates Opening Night On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-04-10 18:46:47
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
News
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Jul 16, 2026
There are a lot of good laughs there.
by Andrew White - Jul 15, 2026
Ms. Kander has set herself a high bar indeed, writing at a level to match one of the early Sketch Comedy era’s most famous duos, and she absolutely nails it. It helps, too, that we have a perfect cast for this run: in the role of Elaine herself, Lori Vega is edgy, scalpel-sharp, and as proud and brassy as can be. As Mike, Riley Shanahan yields readily to Vega’s Elaine May; his initial awkwardness and cluelessness is endearing, and his return to May, years later, acknowledges the debt he owed to her.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival launched its 2026 season, featuring five new plays, including four world premieres by Lisa D'Amour, Yussef El Guindi, Beth Kander, and Aurin Squire. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 7, 2026
Jason Kravits brings his improvised solo show OFF THE TOP! back to Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb joining as special guest.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival announced full casts and creative teams for its 2026 mainstage season at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Va., featuring five new plays, including four world premieres.
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2026
Shaker Bridge Theatre will present THE WAVERLY GALLERY, Kenneth Lonergan's Pulitzer Prize-finalist play, at Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, VT, featuring a cast of returning and new performers.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 10, 2026
The latest Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman celebrated its opening night this week at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre! Go inside the starry celebration in new video from inside the play's opening night bows!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 7, 2026
Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth and composer Gabriel Kahane will perform at 92NY, including the New York premiere of Kahane's Elevator Songs, composed for the ensemble.
by Andrew White - Mar 12, 2026
One of the most eagerly-awaited debuts will be Beth Kander's 'Best Line Wins,' a show dedicated to the lives and careers of two of America’s great comic treasures, Elaine May and Mike Nichols. Whether you grew up with their subversive acts back in the day, or whether you’re a newcomer, or a fan of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, with its evocation of the comedy club scene in the late 1950’s, you are in for one helluva treat.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 6, 2026
The Contemporary American Theater Festival will present its 2026 season, featuring a diverse array of new plays. The festival aims to showcase innovative American theater through world premieres and contemporary works.
by Stephen Mosher - Jan 22, 2026
A - She's Adorable. And she's back in New York to stake her claim.
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 21, 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 17, 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.
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 the following awards: Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Waverly Gallery, Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Waverly Gallery, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for The Waverly Gallery, Most Promising Playwright at the Drama Desk Awards for Adaptation, and Best Director at 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).
