Spotlight On...
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 | | Frank D. Gilroy |
Gilroy was born on October 13, 1925, in New York City, the son of Bettina (née Vasti) and Frank B. Gilroy, a coffee broker. His father was Irish American and his mother was of Italian and German descent. Gilroy lived in the Bronx for most of his childhood and attended DeWitt Clinton High School. He then enlisted in the army after graduation, serving two and a half years in the 89th Division, of which eighteen months were in the European Theatre.
After the war, he attended Dartmouth College and received his B.A. with magna cum laude. Later in 1966, he would receive an honorary D.L.. He also received a grant from Dartmouth that allowed him to attend the Yale School of Drama.
Gilroy wrote in the Golden Age of Television for such shows as Playhouse 90, Westinghouse Studio One, The United States Steel Hour, Omnibus, Kraft Television Theatre, and Lux Video Theatre.
His entrance to theatre was marked with his 1962 play Who'll Save the Plowboy? at the Phoenix Theatre in New York, which won the Obie Award. The play follows Albert Cobb, a man who once dreamed of owning a farm, becoming a plowboy. He and his wife Helen are awaiting to be reunited fifteen years after World War II, along with Larry Doyle, the man who saved his life. The title comes from when they were in the war, and Albert was staked as bait by the Germans, and Larry kept shouting "Who'll Save the Plowboy?" until he finally crept out and saved him.
The Subject Was Roses was presented on May 25, 1964. The two-act play has been compared to Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night. Walter Kerr said of the show: "a family triangle in which a father loves a son and the mother loves that son and the son loves both mother and father and not one of them can make a move or utter a sound that does not instantly damage the other."
That Summer, That Fall (1967) is a version of the Hippolytus-Phaedra story, set in an Italian neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.
Gilroy's screenplays include Desperate Characters which starred Shirley MacLaine and The Gallant Hours starring James Cagney. He has also adapted his own plays for film, including The Subject Was Roses, starring Patricia Neal, Martin Sheen and Jack Albertson, and The Only Game in Town, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Warren Beatty. His 1985 screenplay for The Gig, starring Cleavon Little and Wayne Rogers, has been adapted as a musical, with book, music, and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen. A 2006 Off-Broadway presentation and recording by the York Theatre Company starred Karen Ziemba, Stephen Berger, Michele Pawk, and Michael McCormick.
Gilroy has also written fiction, including the novel From Noon Till Three, which was adapted into a film starring Charles Bronson. In addition to writing the screenplay, Gilroy also directed the film. Gilroy also contributed to several TV westerns in the late 1950s, including Have Gun - Will Travel and Wanted: Dead or Alive. His later credits include Nero Wolfe, a 1977 adaptation of Rex Stout's novel The Doorbell Rang as a television movie featuring Thayer David.
Gilroy's three sons, from his marriage to sculptor/writer Ruth Dorothy Gaydos, are involved in the film industry. Tony Gilroy and Dan Gilroy are screenwriters, and John Gilroy is a film editor.
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Greetings!
Wow! I just opened our Facebook Fan page and discovered we had a 703.8% increased in visitors to the site last month! That's 209 people. Thank you, friends. But keep spreading the word. When we hit 2000, I'll celebrate.
There's so much happening at SKTC. This July, we'll present our first musical! No, not "42nd Street". I feel safe in saying you will never see a big, lavish, musical at SKTC. You've seen the stage at the Alexandria Room. Where would we put everyone? No, we're interested in intimate, affordable theatre. To that end, we will present one of the most delightful revues I have ever encountered: "Starting Here, Staring Now", featuring the music of Maltby and Shire. Watch for details in the coming months.
Responding to enthusiasm for our beverage choices at the March show, we have obtained the appropriate liquor permit and now have a modest cash bar at our shows. So go easy at dinner and join us for a relaxing glass of wine or a cocktail featuring Tito's Handmade Vodka when the doors open at 7 p.m. and at intermission.
Hope to see you at Stone River Grille on May 4th or "The Subject Was Roses" on May 12th, the finale to our 2012 Season.
SEE YOU AT THE THEATRE! Kate Katcher
Artistic Director
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Coming up: Gilroy's "The Subject Was Roses"
Saturday, May 12th at 7:30
Don Striano Kate Katcher Damian Long
In the published script of The Subject Was Roses, playwright Frank D. Gilroy included a day-by-day journal he titled, About Those Roses or How 'Not' To Do a Play and Succeed. According to the journal, The Subject Was Roses opened on Broadway with a producer who had never produced a Broadway play; a director who had never directed one; a scenic artist who had never designed one; a general manager who had never managed one; and three actors who were virtually unknown." The play opened after all of the award deadlines, so it was not eligible until the following year. During it's two year run, it played in five different Broadway Theaters. The unknown actors were Jack Albertson, Irene Dailey and Martin Sheen. The novice director was Ulu Grosbard. A major critical and commercial success, it ran for 882 performances, was nominated for five Tony Awards, winning for Best Play over Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, Murray Schisgal's Luv, and Edward Albee's Tiny Alice. Jack Albertson took home the Tony for Best Featured Actor. The play also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Critics Circle for Best Play. And if this embarrassment of riches wasn't enough, one day another newcomer took over the job of stage manager and simultaneously understudied the role of 'Timmy': Dustin Hoffman. Oh, what big shoes to fill.
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Stray Kats sires Stray Kittens this July
 SKTC will offer a very special summer program for kids ages 10-14, Stray Kittens. And you don't have to audition!
Through theater games, vocal and physical warm-ups, participants will apply new-found skills to rehearsals for non-musical properties. "We tailor the selections to the kids we have so that everybody participates at all times."
The Stray Kittens program will run from July 2nd through July 27th, Monday -Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Edmond Town Hall with a performance on the evening of July 26th.
Tuition is $600 when paid by April 30th. ($625 if paid on line by credit card). After April 30th, tuition is $700 ($725 if paid on line by credit card).
Contact 203-514-2221 or info@straykatstheatrecompany.org. You may also register on line at www.straykatstheatrecompany.org on the Classes page.
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Coming FRIDAY, May 4th, SKTC will celebrate Spring at Stone River Grille, poking fun at our favorite warm-weather pastimes. In keeping with the spirit that has made Play With Your Food a Fairfield County favorite for 10 years, Stone River will provide the great food and we'll provide the fun: staged readings of hilarious one-act plays read by the members of SKTC.
The evening will include: Judgment Call by Fred Stroppel  A Betrothal by Lanford Wilson
Deer Play by Mary Louise Wilson
So don't delay. Reserve today!!!!! Seats are limited!
Stone River Grille is located at 1 Glen Road, Sandy Hook. The show is upstairs at 8:30 for just $20. Come early for dinner & drinks, sold a la carte.
Call 203-270-1200 to reserve!
(Don Striano in "Deer Play")
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Gift Certicicates Available
Need a gift for a Birthday? Anniversary? For any occasion, how about giving an evening at the theatre?
Consider a Gift Certificate to Stray Kats Theatre Company! One-size fits all!
Just click on the picture of the gift certificate to go to our order page.
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About Us
Stray Kats is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicating to promoting thought-provoking, high-quality theatrical content.
Contact us: 203-514-2221 or info@straykatstheatrecompany.org
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