The Iceman Cometh (The Play of the Week)

The Iceman Cometh is a four-act play by American playwright Eugene O'Neill, broadcast as part of The Play of the Week television anthology series.

Play Summary:

The Iceman Cometh is a lengthy and complex drama set in Harry Hope's saloon and rooming house in 1912. The play centers on a group of lost souls – a collection of alcoholics, former anarchists, prostitutes, and other social outcasts – who cling to pipe dreams to justify their existence. Their annual gathering is disrupted by the arrival of Theodore "Hickey" Hickman, a traveling salesman and former regular at the bar, who arrives sober and determined to rid his friends of their illusions and encourage them to face reality. Hickey preaches the virtues of finding "peace" by abandoning their dreams, but his attempts ultimately lead to tragedy and disillusionment.

The Play of the Week Broadcast:

The Play of the Week was a syndicated television program that presented filmed or videotaped stage plays. Its aim was to bring serious and important drama to a wider audience. The broadcast of The Iceman Cometh allowed viewers across the country to experience O'Neill's challenging work, though its length and dark themes were perhaps not always suited to casual viewing. Specific details regarding the cast, director, and original broadcast date of The Iceman Cometh within The Play of the Week series would require further research to definitively ascertain. The exact episode details, including cast and air date, are dependent on historical broadcast records.

Significance:

O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh is considered a masterpiece of American drama, exploring themes of illusion, despair, and the human need for self-deception. The play's length and challenging subject matter have made it a significant work for both stage and screen. The Play of the Week broadcast brought this significant work to a wider television audience.