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The Seven Year Itch

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  5w, 6m, 1boy(s)

One of the theater's biggest hits, George Axelrod's comedy concerns a mild-mannered husband who attempts to revive his love life.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 6m, 1boy(s)

Details

Summary
Richard Sherman roams restlessly around his empty apartment, bemoaning the fact that his wife of seven years, and their son, have just walked out on him. Then, without warning, a gigantic flower pot tumbles down from an overhead balcony, nearly putting him permanently out of his misery. The jarring event has a strange effect on Richard. He now sees his marriage as wasted time and feels it necessary to exercise his libido as quickly as possible. Suddenly reborn, he invites the young woman who lives on the floor above down for an evening of temptation. The night doesn't quite go the way he thought it would, as morality and guilt sneak into his head. In his conscience—literally following him about the apartment—a soul-struggle of heroic and hilarious proportions ensues.
History
The Seven Year Itch premiered on Broadway at the Fulton Theatre on November 20, 1952. Directed by John Gerstad, the production starred Tom Ewell and Vanessa Brown. The Broadway run ended on August 13, 1955, after a run of 1,141 performances, making The Seven Year Itch the longest-running non-musical play of the 1950s.

Media

“A grand and goofy comedy… a lot of delightful nonsense.” – New York News

“Mr. Axelrod's play is original and funny.” – The New York Times

“A grand and goofy comedy… a lot of delightful nonsense.” – NY News

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing available for professional groups only. Some restrictions apply.

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Authors

George Axelrod

George Axelrod was born and raised in New York City, the son of silent actress Betty Carpenter. Growing up, he often hung around Broadway theatres and eventually landed a job working backstage. During World War II, he served in the Army Signal Corps. Through the late ’40s ...

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