Daily Dialogue — November 15, 2015

“Oh, well. Nothing recedes like success.”

— Deathtrap (1982), screenplay by Joan Presson Allen, play by Ira Levin

The Daily Dialogue theme for the month: Writers and Writing.

Trivia: The original Broadway production of ‘Deathtrap’ by Ira Levin opened at the Music Box Theatre on 26 February 1978 with six preview from 21 Feb 1978. It played for almost four years there until 5 January 1982. The play then moved to the Biltmore Theatre on 7 January 1982 where it played for about another six months, until 13 June 1982, when it closed. In total, the play ran for a massive 1793 performances at both theatres combined. The play was nominated for four 1978 Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Direction, Best Featured Actor, and Best Featured Actress. The play though did not win any Tony Awards. The ‘Deathtrap’ play still holds the record for being the longest ever running comedy-thriller in Broadway history.

Dialogue On Dialogue: “A Broadway playwright puts murder in his plan to take credit for a student’s script.” That’s the plot summary. As Sydney (Michael Caine) says, “Nothing recedes like success.” And here is his chance to regain the flame by stealing the student’s (Christopher Reeve) play.