Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Poster for the off-Broadway production

Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune is a two-character play by Terrence McNally.

It focuses on two lonely, middle-aged people whose first date ends with them tumbling into bed. Johnny is certain he has found his soul mate in Frankie. She, on the other hand, is far more cautious and disinclined to jump to conclusions. As the night unfolds, they slowly begin to reveal themselves to each other as they take tentative steps towards the possible start of a new relationship. The reference to "Clair de Lune" in the title refers to a piece of music by Debussy, the third movement of the Suite bergamasque, which is a key plot element.

The play, directed by Paul Benedict, opened on June 2, 1987 at Stage II of the off-Broadway Manhattan Theatre Club, where it ran for two weeks. On October 14, it opened at Stage I for a six-week run. On December 4, it transferred to the Westside Theatre, where it remained for fifteen months. Kathy Bates and Kenneth Welsh were the original cast.

A 1991 film adaptation by McNally shortened the title to Frankie and Johnny and was a dramatic departure from the play.

After fifteen previews, the first Broadway production, directed by Joe Mantello, opened on August 8, 2002 at the Belasco Theatre, where it ran for 243 performances. Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci, who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in Play, were replaced by Rosie Perez and Joe Pantoliano later in the run. The production, which was nominated for a Tony for Best Revival of a Play, drew a great deal of press coverage for the performers' extended period of nudity in the first act.

External links

• Original off-Broadway production
• 2002 Broadway production
• New York Times review