Theatre History Special: February 29

Today in Theatre History: FEBRUARY 29
By David Gewirtzman
and David Lefkowitz


1932    Denis Johnston's drama, The Moon in the Yellow River, opens at the Guild Theatre. Egon Brecher stars as a German electrical engineer caught in the Troubles of rural Ireland.

1944    At the 48th Street Theatre, Mrs. Kimball Presents -- but only for 7 performances. Alonzo Price's short-lived farce of backstage romances and high-society shenanigans closes just four days later.

1944    Also today is born Phyllis Frelich, hearing-impaired actress who will win the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Drama for Children of a Lesser God.

1948    French entertainer Maurice Chevalier brings back his 1947 concert for 33 more performances.

2000    Following a successful run at P.S. 122 under the title Bigsmorgasbordwunderwerk, Squonk opens on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Performed by Pittsburgh-based theatre company Squonk Opera, the show is a mixture of performance art, opera, puppetry and food.

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