The Teahouse of the August Moon

Teahouse of the August Moon, The (1953), a comedy by John Patrick. [Martin Beck Theatre, 1,027 perf.; Pulitzer Prize, Tony, NYDCC Awards.] Captain Fisby (John Forsythe) is under orders to bring democracy to a postwar Okinawan village, whether the locals want it or not. He attempts to establish some free enterprise, but the only thing the islanders can produce are cricket cages, for which there is no export market. When one wily resident, Sakini (David Wayne), transforms Fisby's plans for a schoolhouse into a teahouse, where some stronger spirits may also be served, all hell breaks loose. Fisby's frightened, befuddled superior, Col. Wainwright Purdy III (Paul Ford), arrests Fisby and orders the teahouse destroyed. The demolition is no sooner complete than Purdy discovers the teahouse has been hailed in Washington as a shining example of “American ‘get‐up‐and‐go.’” Luckily, Sakini and his friends have only dismantled and hidden the building materials, so the edifice is hastily reassembled to await the visit of the congressmen and news photographers. Based on a novel by Vern Sneider, this ingratiating comedy, which some felt was really held together by Wayne's superb characterization, nonetheless walked away with all the season's awards. It was the source of the failed musical Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen (1970). John PATRICK (1907–95) was born in Louisville and attended both Columbia and Harvard. Although he had several other plays produced on Broadway, his only other success was The Hasty Heart (1945). Among Patrick's other plays were The Curious Savage (1950) and Everybody Loves Opal (1961), both of which were very popular with amateur and summer stock groups.

The Teahouse of the August Moon may refer to:

• The Teahouse of the August Moon (novel), 1951 novel written by Vern Sneider
• The Teahouse of the August Moon (play), 1953 Broadway play adapted by John Patrick
• The Teahouse of the August Moon (film), 1956 motion picture adapted by John Patrick, directed by Daniel Mann

See also

• The Teahouse of the August Goon

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