Say good night gracie, It's official! "SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE" is, now and for all time, the longest-running play of the 2002-2003 Broadway season. It has also now become the third longest-running "one-actor play" in Broadway history, exceeded only by "Defending the Caveman" and Lily Tomlin's "Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe."
"GRACIE" and its playwright Rupert Holmes have been honored by a BEST PLAY 2003 Tony nomination, the fourth time Holmes has been nominated, previously winning Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Music, and Best Lyrics for a Musical.
For his astounding portrayal of comedian George Burns, star Frank Gorshin received an Outer Critics Circle Award, which accompanies his Carbonell Award for Best Actor. Holmes and "GRACIE" also received this honor from the drama critics of Florida where the play was first seen. Since its Broadway debut in 2002, "SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE" has been performed to critical acclaim, sold-out houses, and an unbroken chain of standing ovations. Delighted audiences are responding with waves of warm laughter and the occasional tear.
In 2004, when illness sidelined Frank Gorshin for two months, actor Jamie Farr (best known to millions as Corporal Klinger on the television classic "M*A*S*H") stepped out of his TV character's high heels and into the shoes of George Burns, earning accolades and standing ovations night after night.
As he did on Broadway, the wonderful actor Joel Rooks covered the role for Frank Gorshin on its national tour, and appeared in a majority of the play's performances during its run in Chicago.
In 2005, Frank returned to the role he originated and continued the national tour of "GRACIE" virtually until his unfortunate demise in May of the same year.
