Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune Revival
Two hours and 15 minutes, with one intermission
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune - 2019 Broadway History , Info & More
Broadhurst Theatre (Broadway)
235 W. 44th St. New York, NY
Record-breaking 6-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. Two-time Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Michael Shannon. Together, they star in four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally's beloved classic, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, directed by downtown visionary Arin Arbus, in her highly anticipated Broadway directorial debut.
These two monumental actors join forces in a play that is as raw as it is romantic, as visceral as it is vibrant, and as funny as it is breathtaking. When a diner waitress and a short order cook meet for a night of fiery passion, they expect a return to loneliness. But as desire turns into the possibility of love, they realize that true connection means being unafraid to reach for the moon.
"Two of the best performances on Broadway. Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon’s chemistry burns up the stage." - The Daily Beast
"Superb! As hilarious as it is touching." - The Hollywood Reporter
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune - 2019 - Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
‘Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune’: How a Reagan-Era Rom-Com Holds Up
8 / 10
Director Arin Arbus skillfully moves her performers around the stage (grungily built by Riccardo Hernandez and adroitly lit by Natasha Katz) and into and out of their convincingly un-stylish clothing (designed by Emily Rebholz), with no attempt to glam up the crummy Hell's Kitchen studio locale. This is the sort of piece where direction ought to be invisible, just clearing space for the actors to breathe and fill the air, and Arbus does fine work. McDonald's Frankie is perhaps more vulnerable and jittery than the script calls for at times but shows inner strength and fire when needed. It's a pleasure to see Shannon luxuriate in a role that plays to his goofy, boyish side. Together, they forge a bond that's deeply moving, a prickly, organic tapestry of comic fluster, flashes of raw hurt, and pulsing erotic heat.
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
8 / 10
When Johnny refuses to leave Frankie's apartment, even after she threatens to call the police, the creepiness factor is hard to avoid, especially since Shannon has used his lanky frame and craggy face to convey menace so successfully in the past. But for more than two hours, these highly gifted actors-directed by Arin Arbus, and beautifully lit by Natasha Katz-keep a sensitive focus on the gawky humanity of their characters, holding steady through the ups and downs of McNally's emotional ride. They connect, and they draw us in.
Category
by Nicole Rosky - July 28, 2019
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will play its final performance today, July 28, 2019 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Frankie and Johnny opened officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019 as a 'New York Times Critic's Pick.' Upon closing, the production will have played 70 regular and 26 preview performances.
by Nicole Rosky - July 8, 2019
Producers Hunter Arnold, Debbie Bisno and Tom Kirdahy announce today that Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will play its final performance on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway.
by Kaitlin Milligan - June 20, 2019
Audra McDonald was a guest on Thursday's episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan to talk about starring on Broadway in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. During the interview, McDonald talks about being nude on stage and where the intimacy in the show really is.
by Matthew Blank - June 8, 2019
We chat with Max von Essen about his starring role in FALSETTOS. The show plays Kennedy Center June 11-23.
by A.A. Cristi - May 30, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon, directed by Arin Arbus, opens tonight!
by TV - Opening Night Special - May 30, 2019
Last night, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune celebrated opening night, ahead of tonight's official opening. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and we're taking you inside the celebration below!
by Walter McBride - May 30, 2019
Last night, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune celebrated opening night, ahead of tonight's official opening. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and we're taking you to the red carpet below!
by Walter McBride - May 30, 2019
Last night, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune celebrated opening night, ahead of tonight's official opening.
by Linda Lenzi - May 30, 2019
Last night, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune celebrated opening night, ahead of tonight's official opening. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and we're taking you inside the celebration below!
by TV - Red Carpets - May 29, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, opens officially tomorrow, May 30, at the Broadhurst Theater.
by Michael Dale - May 30, 2019
'I guess I want you to play the most beautiful music ever written and dedicate it to us,' a hopeful romantic requests of the radio station he's phoned from his date's apartment.
by A.A. Cristi - May 24, 2019
Twenty-five $25 tickets will be available for the general public to join the opening celebration of the new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune on Wednesday, May 29 at 6:30pm in honor of Terrence McNally's 25 productions on Broadway.
by Julie Musbach - May 15, 2019
Get a first look below at the new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon, directed by Arin Arbus.
by Stephi Wild - May 6, 2019
Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune starring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon began performances last night at the Broadhurst Theatre. The night marked a big moment for playwright, Terrence McNally, celebrating his 25th Broadway production, and director Arin Arbus, celebrating her Broadway debut.
by Julie Musbach - May 4, 2019
In celebration of four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally's 80th birthday, producers Hunter Arnold, Debbie Bisno and Tom Kirdahy announce a new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus.
by Julie Musbach - May 3, 2019
On Saturday, May 4 only, the new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will offer 25 tickets (per performance) for $25 each to the 25 preview performances in honor of Terrence McNally's 25 productions on Broadway.
by Julie Musbach - May 1, 2019
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune announces a limited number of $40 general rush tickets will be available at the Broadhurst box office when it opens for that day's performance
by Nicole Rosky - April 24, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, will play the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will begin previews on Saturday, May 4, 2019 and open officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019. The strictly limited 16-week engagement concludes on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
by Walter McBride - April 23, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, will play the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will begin previews on Saturday, May 4, 2019 and open officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019. The strictly limited 16-week engagement concludes on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
by Walter McBride - April 18, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, will play the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will begin previews on Saturday, May 4, 2019 and open officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019. The strictly limited 16-week engagement concludes on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
by Nicole Rosky - April 19, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, will play the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will begin previews on Saturday, May 4, 2019 and open officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019. The strictly limited 16-week engagement concludes on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
by Walter McBride - April 18, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, will play the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will begin previews on Saturday, May 4, 2019 and open officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019. The strictly limited 16-week engagement concludes on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
by Nicole Rosky - March 21, 2019
The new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus, will play the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune will begin previews on Saturday, May 4, 2019 and open officially on Thursday, May 30, 2019. The strictly limited 16-week engagement concludes on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
Check out a just-released photo of McDonald and Shannon below!
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune History
Other Productions of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
| 1987 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 1987 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
| 2002 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2019 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune - 2019 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Michael Shannon |
| 2020 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune |
| 2020 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune |
| 2020 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Audra McDonald |
| 2020 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Terrence McNally |
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