Stage: Appeared (as "Dona Anna"; Broadway debut) in "Don Juan in Hell" on Broadway. Comedy. Written by
George Bernard Shaw. Stage Manager: William Cottrell. Directed by
Charles Laughton (also appearing as "Devil"). New Century Theatre: 29 Nov 1951-31 Dec 1951 (38 performances). Cast:
Charles Boyer (as "Don Juan"),
Cedric Hardwicke (as "The Statue"). Produced by Paul Gregory. NOTE: (1) Essentially a staged reading, the production had a single performance at Carnegie Hall on 22 Oct 1951. It then returned to New York, playing the New Century Theatre on Broadway beginning on 29 Nov 1951 for 38 performances. After a three-month hiatus, the production staged a return engagement at Broadway's Plymouth Theatre from 6 Apr 6 1952-24 May 1952 for 66 performances. Boyer was presented with a special Tony Award for his performance as Don Juan. While not a hit per se, this is considered one of the most prestigious productions ever mounted on Broadway. (2) The production was recorded and released as an long-playing record. (3) "Don Juan in Hell" (often cut in stage productions, ironically including it's debut run in London) is the lengthy 3rd act of Shaw's 1903 drama "Man and Superman."
