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Harriet (play)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harriet
Written byFlorence Ryerson and Colin Clements
Based onthe life of Harriet Beecher Stowe
Directed byElia Kazan
Date premieredMarch 3, 1943 (1943-03-03)
Place premieredHenry Millers Theatre New York
Original languageEnglish

Harriet is a 1943 American play by Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements.

Background

The original production was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Helen Hayes. It ran for 377 performances.

Hayes had enjoyed several successes playing historical figures and heard about a play on Harriet Beecher Stowe. She and her producing partner Gilbert Miller watched it being performed in an experimental production at Syracuse University and optioned it. Miller was originally going to direct the play but Elia Kazan was broght in to direct it.[1] [2] The play was very popular, though little remembered now; Kazan received a great deal of acclaim although he put the play's success mostly down to Hayes.[3]

References

  1. ^ Pauly, Thomas H (1983). An American odyssey : Elia Kazan and American culture. p. 61-62.
  2. ^ Hayes, Helen (1965). A Gift of Joy. p. 132-133.
  3. ^ Kazan, Elia (1988). A Life. p. 222-225.