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The Dining Room

Closing: July 17, 1982

The Dining Room - 1982 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Playwrights Horizons
416 West 42nd St.(between 9th & 10th Aves) New York, NY 10036

The play is set in the dining room of a typical well-to-do household, the place where the family assembled daily for breakfast and dinner and for any and all special occasions. The action is comprised of a mosaic of interrelated scenes—some funny, some touching, some rueful—which, taken together, create an in-depth portrait of a vanishing species: the upper-middle-class WASP. The actors change roles, personalities and ages with virtuoso skill as they portray a wide variety of characters, from little boys to stern grandfathers, and from giggling teenage girls to Irish housemaids. Each vignette introduces a new set of people and events; a father lectures his son on grammar and politics; a boy returns from boarding school to discover his mother’s infidelity; a senile grandmother doesn’t recognize her own sons at Christmas dinner; a daughter, her marriage a shambles, pleads futilely to return home, etc. Dovetailing swiftly and smoothly, the varied scenes coalesce, ultimately, into a theatrical experience of exceptional range, compassionate humor and abundant humanity.


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Review: CACTUS FLOWER at New Theatre Restaurant
by Alan Portner - May 4, 2026


The air at New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park is thick with the scent of high-end buffet favorites and the electric hum of a sold-out crowd. The curtain has risen on a revival of the 1960s Broadway classic Cactus Flower, and if the opening week's standing ovations are any indication, Kansas City has another bona fide hit on its hands.

How an Episcopal Retreat Became a Buzzy Off-Broadway Venue
by Joey Sims - Apr 20, 2026


This season, Broadway royalty has taken up residence in the splendid library of an Upper East Side mansion. So how did House of the Redeemer, a retreat house within the Episcopal Archdiocese of New York, become off-Broadway’s hottest new venue?

Jenn Corella and More to Performa t 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 6, 2025


Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Jenn Colella, and more. See the full lineup here.

Tracie Thoms, Jenn Colella and More to Perform at 54 Below in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 30, 2025


Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Tracie Thoms, Jenn Colella and more. See the full lineup here!

54 Below to Celebrate Pride Month with Tracie Thoms, Lee Roy Reams, Jenn Colella, and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025


54 BELOW will honor the LGBTQ+ performers, producers, and artists who are vital members of our artistic community this Pride Month. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Where to Get Drinks Before or After a Broadway Show
by Sidney Paterra - May 18, 2025


Looking for a pre-show cocktail or a nightcap after the theatre? Here are the best 15 spots for drinks in the theatre district.

What's Opening Off-Broadway in Fall 2024
by Sidney Paterra - Oct 2, 2024


Check out a full list of what's opening Off-Broadway this fall! Productions will star big names including Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Krakowski, and many more! See what Off-Broadway has to offer and check out BroadwayWorld's complete list.

The Untold History of Sony Hall - Home of BroadwayWorld's 20th Anniversary Concert
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 20, 2023


In this special edition of Broadway Deep Dive, Tepper uncovers the untold history of Sony Hall- where BroadwayWorld will celebrate our 20th Anniversary with a star-studded concert event on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

The Butterfingers Angel Kicks Off Holiday Season in Chester County Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 28, 2022


Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center presents the gift of theatre and celebrates a major new beginning. The West Chester performing arts organization kicks off its new regional theatre program with a smart, original and heartfelt retelling of the greatest story ever told.

SING STREET, BHANGIN' IT & More Announced for The Huntington's 2022-2023 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 13, 2022


The Huntington has announced its 2022-2023 season, featuring 8 shows including 2 jubilant new musicals, 3 world premiere plays, one recent Broadway hit, and an outstanding revival of an August Wilson classic.   

Ann Morrison to Present MERRILY FROM CENTER STAGE at Feinstein's/54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 12, 2022


FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present Ann Morrison in “Ann Morrison: Merrily From Center Stage”. on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 pm. “Ann Morrison: Merrily From Center Stage”.

LOVE LETTERS Starring Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove Opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 9, 2020


Just eighteen hours after the end of the UK’s current lockdown, Bill Kenwright presented MARTIN SHAW and JENNY SEAGROVE in A.R. GURNEY’s Love Letters, directed by ROY MARSDEN, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The play opened on 3 December 2020, the first day after the Prime Minister decreed that lockdown would end.

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.

City Winery Releases January 2020 Schedule
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 20, 2019


City Winery Chicago has released its schedule (1200 W. Randolph St) for the month. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless noted.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.

Saint Sebastian Players Presents OUR TOWN
by Stephi Wild - Sep 5, 2019


The Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) open the company's 2019a?"20 season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Performances take place October 25a?"November 17 at SSP's home in the lower level of St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago.

2019 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Festival Announces Line-Up
by Tori Hartshorn - Jun 12, 2019


Celebrating its 37th anniversary, Outfest - the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization promoting equality by creating, sharing, and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen - today announced the complete programming lineup for the 2019 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, presented by HBO. The nation's leading LGBTQ festival will be held July 18-28, 2019.

Skylight Music Theatre Announces 2019-2020 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2019


Artistic Director Ray Jivoff today unveiled Skylight Music Theatre's 2019-2020 season, which will mark the theatre's 60th Anniversary.

BWW Review: PINTER FIVE and PINTER SIX, Harold Pinter Theatre
by Marianka Swain - Jan 6, 2019


Jamie Lloyd's star-studded season of short Pinter plays continues with two more intriguing productions: one directed by Patrick Marber, the other by Lloyd himself. Among the subjects this time around are family, miscommunication, class, politics – plus an early bid for the most memorable wigs of 2019.

Arch Allies, April Wine, Steelheart, Loverboy, And Renowned Pianist Ryan Ahern Perform At The Orleans In January
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 6, 2018


The Orleans Hotel and Casino will kick off the new year bringing top entertainment to The Orleans Showroom in January, including performances by rock bands Arch Allies, April Wine and Steelheart, and Loverboy, as well as celebrated pianist Ryan Ahern. January entertainment will also feature free live entertainment at Bourbon Street Lounge throughout the month.

Promethean Theatre Ensemble Announces 2018-19 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 24, 2018


Was Dr. Martin Luther King correct in saying the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice? Even if we do learn from the past, are we still doomed to repeat some of it? Promethean Theatre Ensemble Artistic Director Brian Pastor says, "Friedrich Nietzsche once noted that 'when we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.' As Promethean begins its 13th season, we are reminded of one of our founding tenets: that we tell stories of the past to illuminate our present. The themes that we explore this season challenge us to craft a better tomorrow by taking our cues from the boldest voices of yesteryear."

BWW REVIEW: LETTERS TO LINDY Gives An Amazing Insight Into One Of Australia's Most High Profile Cases Through The Archive Of Letters Sent To Lindy Chamberlain.
by Jade Kops - Jul 18, 2018


Alana Valentine blends the detail from the thousands of letters sent to Lindy Chamberlain with a reconstruction and re-imagination of events to deliver an insight into what life was like for one of Australia's most iconic figures following the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain on August 17 1980.

2018 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival Announces Complete Lineup
by Macon Prickett - Jun 12, 2018


Celebrating its 36th Anniversary, Outfest - the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization promoting equality by creating, sharing, and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen - today announced the complete programming lineup for the 2018 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival presented by HBO. The nation's leading LGBTQ festival will be held July 12-22, 2018.

Dana Delany, James Earl Jones and More Reunite for One-Night-Only Benefit Reading Of THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
by Julie Musbach - Jun 4, 2018


The Acting Company announces the full cast of its one-night-only benefit reading of The Night of the Iguana, Tennessee Williams' feverishly poetic 1961 drama,at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues), on Monday, June 11.

What's New for Summer 2018 in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Maryland
by Marina Kennedy - Jun 4, 2018


There's a lot that's new in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Maryland this summer! To make it easy for area residents and vacationers to be in the know, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) has compiled a sampling of some of the latest attractions and experiences that beckon travelers in the months ahead. For a complete listing, visit the VAAAC website.

The Dining Room History

Other Productions of The Dining Room

1982   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway

The Dining Room - 1982 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
The Dining Room — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1985 The Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize for Drama A.R. Gurney Jr.
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Play A.R. Gurney

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