Production history
It was commissioned by
South Coast Repertory and premiered there from April 1, 2005 through May 15.
A Naked Girl on the Appian Way
opened on
Broadway in a
Roundabout Theatre production at the
American Airlines Theatre on October 6, 2005 and ran through December 4, 2005. Directed by
Doug Hughes, it starred
Jill Clayburgh,
Richard Thomas, and
Matthew Morrison.
[1]
Plot
Cookbook author Bess Lapin and her husband Jeffrey live in the
Hamptons with their 3 adopted children. Jeffrey, newly retired is also writing a book about the connection between business and art. Two of the children return from a Europen trip and the family gathers for a reunion. Neighbors Elaine and her mother-in-law Sadie crash the welcome-home party. The returned children announce that they plan on getting married.
[2]
Dramatic analysis
SCR Production dramaturg Jerry Patch notes: "Bess’ cookbooks and other best-selling volumes on food convey her belief in and sense of gracious living. Jeffrey, an admired and successful businessman, wants to marry left brain to right brain in a book that will join business and the arts, and bring about creative and compassionate commerce."
[3]
References
- Sommer, Elyse.ReviewOctober 11, 2005
- Hirschorn, Joel.Review at the South Coast Repertory''Variety'', April 10, 2005
- Playgoer's Guide, A Naked Girl on the Appian WaySouth Coast Repertory, accessed March 4, 2009