Summer, 1976

Summer, 1976 is a Broadway play written by David Auburn. The story follows two women living in Ohio who become unlikely friends over playdates with their respective young daughters during the summer of 1976,[1] the American Bicentennial. It began previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on April 4, 2023, with an opening date set for April 25.[2][3]

Production

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The play was originally announced to debut in late 2022 Off-Broadway, but in August 2022 it was announced that it would instead receive a Broadway staging in April 2023 by the Manhattan Theatre Club, which is producing the show.[4]

The Broadway production stars Laura Linney as Diana and Jessica Hecht as Alice.[5][6] Daniel Sullivan directs, with set design by John Lee Beatty, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, costume design by Linda Cho, sound design by Jill BC Du Boff, projection design by Hana S. Kim, and original music by Greg Pliska.[3][7]

The production was set to run from April 25 until May 28[8] but received two extensions and closed on June 18, 2023.[9][10]

Premise

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Diana, an artist and single mother, and Alice, a free-spirited and naive young housewife, forge an unlikely friendship one night in Ohio.[6]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee Result
2023 Tony Awards[11] Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play Jessica Hecht Nominated
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References

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  1. ^ Soloski, Alexis (2023-04-17). "'Like a Romance': Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht's Spring Fling Onstage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  2. ^ "Summer, 1976 (Broadway, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre)". Playbill.
  3. ^ a b Culwell-Block, Logan (2023-04-04). "Summer, 1976 Begins World Premiere on Broadway via Manhattan Theatre Club April 4". Playbill. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  4. ^ Meyer, Dan (August 30, 2022). "SUMMER, 1976 Moves to Broadway With Laura Linney". www.theatrely.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  5. ^ White, Abbey (2022-08-30). "Laura Linney to Star in Broadway Play 'Summer, 1976'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  6. ^ a b Evans, Greg (2022-11-17). "Jessica Hecht To Join Laura Linney On Broadway In 'Summer, 1976' This Spring". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  7. ^ "Summer, 1976". Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  8. ^ Bathke, John (12 April 2023). "Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht form a surprising friendship in 'Summer, 1976'". News 12 - Brooklyn. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  9. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 2, 2023). "Broadway's Summer, 1976 Gets 2nd Extension". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Summer, 1976". IBDB. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (2023-05-02). "Tony Award Nominations 2023: 'Some Like It Hot' Dominates, Followed by '& Juliet,' 'Shucked,' 'New York, New York'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-02.