The Play--Facts and Tidbits

Won a Tony Award for Best Broadway Play in 1979.
Screenplay written by Bernard Pomerance -- Click here to view paperback book
Producer: Richard Crinkley; Director: Jack Hofsiss
David Bowie took over the lead role of John Merrick from the English actor Philip Anglim
Prior to opening day, Bowie rehearsed his role with the cast for two weeks in San Francisco. Click here to view drawing of Bowie during rehearsals.
Performance Dates
- July 29 to August 3, 1980 – Denver's Centre of the Performing Arts
- August 5 to 31, 1980 – Chicago's Blackstone Theatre
- September 23, 1980 to January 3, 1981 – New York's Booth Theatre. Click here to view playbill
During the performances, there was some concern that Bowie might fall off the stage. Since most of his vision comes from one eye, he has difficulty perceiving depth. To avoid a catastrophe, the production was moved further away from the edge of the stage.
A few years later, Jon Hurt, along with Anthony Hopkins,Wendy Hiller, and Anne Bancroft, starred in the movie The Elephant Man which also won high praise for its production.