Enter Laughing is a play by
Joseph Stein.
Based on the semi-
autobiographical novel by
Carl Reiner, it centers on the journey of young aspiring
actor David Kolowitz as he tries to extricate himself from overly protective parents (who want him to be a married
pharmacist) and two too many girlfriends, while struggling to meet the challenge of a dearth of talent in 1930s
New York City.
After two previews, the
Broadway production, directed by
Gene Saks, opened on March 13, 1963 at
Henry Miller's Theatre, where it ran for 419 performances. The cast included
Alan Arkin,
Vivian Blaine,
Sylvia Sidney,
Michael J. Pollard, and
Alan Mowbray.
Arkin won both the
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play and the
Theatre World Award for his performance.
Reiner wrote the screenplay for and directed a 1967
film version starring
Reni Santoni,
José Ferrer,
Shelley Winters,
Elaine May,
Jack Gilford,
Janet Margolin,
Don Rickles,
David Opatoshu, and
Michael J. Pollard. Santoni appeared in Kolowitz role, but it did not prove to be as much of a career springboard.
The play served as the basis for the ill-fated 1976
musical So Long, 174th Street.
Enter Laughing was revived off-Broadway as a musical in 2008. With music and lyrics by Stan Daniels, the production starred
Josh Grisetti for a limited run. The New York Times praised the revival as "hilarious." Like Arkin in 1963, Grisetti won the 2009
Theatre World Award for his performance., Theatre World...
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