The Dark Tower
(1933)
By Alexander Woollcott and George S. Kaufman
Cast size: 9 men, 5 women; two sets
In a rare collaboration with his Algonquin Round Table comrade, Alexander Woollcott, Kaufman wrote his only murder mystery.
Manuscript only; contact: laurence.maslon@nyu.edu
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The Plot
In a rare collaboration with his Algonquin Round Table comrade, Alexander Woollcott, Kaufman wrote his only murder mystery. Woollcott, who was obsessed with murder and mayhem, instigated this drawing-room mystery, about a devious killer whose penchant for disguise allows him to commit what seems to be the perfect crime; a well-crafted thriller that anticipates Sleuth.
Other Plays in the Catalogue
The original 1922 production of Merton ran for 398 performances, at a time when half that number of performances could make a hit. It has been rarely revived, although a production at Minneapolis' Guthrie Theater in 1974 starred Michael Moriarty and a successful version was performed in Los Angeles' Geffen Theater in 1998, directed by John Rando.
The Butter and Egg Man opened on September 23, 1925 at the Longacre Theatre. It ran for 243 performances. There have been several film versions and revivals at regional theaters. It was revived in 2000 at the Atlantic Theatre Company, directed by David Pittu and featuring Michael McGrath and John Ellison Conlee.
I'd Rather Be Right opened on November 2, 1937 at the Alvin Theater, where it ran 290 performances. Moviegoers may be familiar with the patter song "Off The Record," performed by James Cagney as Cohan in the film Yankee Doodle Dandy.
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Contact Us Today
Interested in bringing George S. Kaufman’s timeless plays to your stage?
Please refer to the contact information for each specific play on the various collection pages for direct amateur and professional licensing information.
Plays are represented by Concord Theatricals and Music Theatre International respectively.
If you are interested in first-class performance or film/television rights:
In the US, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
CPK Artists, LLC
In the UK, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
Alan Brodie Representation
For more information about George S. Kaufman or this website, contact:
Laurence Maslon
Literary Trustee, George S. Kaufman Estate
