Play It Again, Sam

Play It Again, Sam (1969), a comedy by Woody Allen. [ Broadhurst Theatre, 453 perf.] Having been left by his wife, who wants livelier company, mousy film critic Allen Felix (Allen) is so stupefied that he can only suck on undefrosted TV dinners and turn to a fantasy world. But even in his wildest fantasies, in which no less than Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy) comes to his assistance, he keeps striking out with women. His best friend, Dick (Anthony Roberts), a hustling businessman, tries to help, as does Dick's wife, Linda (Diane Keaton). When the mouse finally roars, he has a fling with Linda, bravely gives her up, and in Bogart fashion becomes his own man. The popular David Merrick production, which offered one of the best comic views of the modern antihero, marked Allen's only Broadway appearance. Woody ALLEN [né Allen Stewart Konigsberg] (b. 1935) is a Brooklyn‐born humorist and stand‐up comic who wrote sketches for the revue From A to Z (1960) and a hit comedy, Don't Drink the Water (1966). Better known for writing, directing, and appearing in films, Allen has also been represented in the New York theatre with The Floating Lightbulb (1980), Central Park West (1995), and Writer's Block (2003).