Midgie Purvis is a comedic stage play written by American playwright Mary Chase. The work premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) on February 1, 1961 and closed on February 18, 1961 after 21 performances.
Creation and Production
- Playwright: Mary Chase, noted for her earlier hit Auntie Mame.
- Genre: Comedy.
- Setting: A contemporary midwestern American city.
- Premiere: February 1, 1961, Martin Beck Theatre, New York City.
- Out‑of‑town tryout: National Theatre, Washington, D.C., January 1961.
Synopsis
The plot centers on Midgie Purvis, a wealthy, fashionable socialite who becomes disenchanted with her privileged lifestyle. Seeking change, she disguises herself as an elderly woman and takes a job as a nanny, an experience that reshapes her outlook on life and family relationships.
Original Broadway Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Midgie Purvis | Tallulah Bankhead |
| Edwin Gilroy Purvis | Russell Hardie |
| Canfield Purvis | William Redfield |
| Dr. Monroe Sidensticker | Clinton Sundberg |
| Dorothy Plunkett | Alice Pearce |
| Luther Plunkett | John Cecil Holm |
| Mother | Kip McArdle |
| Althea Malone | Nydia Westman |
| Emma Pasternack | Jane Van Duser |
| Cleo June | Pia Zadora |
The production was directed by Burgess Meredith with scenic design by Ben Edwards.
Reception and Legacy
- Tallulah Bankhead’s performance earned her a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play, marking her only Tony nomination and a notable return to Broadway after a long hiatus.
- The play was intended as a star vehicle for Bankhead, drawing comparisons to Chase’s earlier Auntie Mame.
- Although the run was brief, the play remains available for licensing through Dramatists Play Service.
References
- Wikipedia entry for Midgie Purvis (accessed via Jina AI mirror).
- Internet Broadway Database listing for the production.
- Contemporary reviews in Time magazine (February 1961) and The New York Times (March 1960).