The Sisters Rosensweig is a play by Wendy Wasserstein. The play focuses on three Jewish- American sisters and their lives. It "broke theatrical ground by concentrating on a non-traditional cast of three middle-aged women." [1] Wasserstein received the William Inge Award for Distinguished Achievement in American Theatre for this play.

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Production history

The play first opened in April 1992 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

It premiered off-Broadway in a Lincoln Center Theater production at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater on October 22, 1992 and closed on February 28, 1993 after 149 performances. Directed by Daniel J. Sullivan, the cast included Jane Alexander and Madeline Kahn.

It transferred to Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 18, 1993 and closed on July 16 1994 after 556 performances. Again directed by Sullivan, the Broadway cast remained the same as off-Broadway, except that Christine Estabrook took the role of "Pfeni" for Frances McDormand. Notable replacements include Linda Lavin as Gorgeous Teitelbaum and Michael Learned as Sara Goode.

Original Broadway Cast

• Sara Goode- Jane Alexander
• Gorgeous Teitelbaum- Madeline Kahn
• Mervyn Kant- Robert Klein
• Pfeni Rosensweig - Christine Estabrook
• Nicholas Pym- John Cunningham
• Tess Goode- Julie Dretzin
• Tom Valiunus- Patrick Fitzgerald
• Geoffrey Duncan- John Vickery

Critical response

The New York Times review of the original production wrote that the play is: "...[a] captivating look at three uncommon women and their quest for love, self-definition and fulfillment. But underlying the comedy is an empathetic concern for the characters and for the prospects of women today. At the same time, the play has its imperfections. There are gratuitous remarks and irrelevancies." ^[2]

Awards and nominations

;Outer Critics Circle Award ^[3]

• Best Broadway Play (winner)
• Best Actor (Play) Robert Klein (winner)
• Best Actress (Play) Madeline Kahn (winner)
• Best Actress (Play) Jane Alexander (nominee)
• Best Director (Play) (winner)

;Tony Award

• Best Play (nominee)
• Best Actress in a Play Madeline Kahn (winner)
• Best Actress in a Play Jane Alexander (nominee)
• Best Costume Design Jane Greenwod (nominee)
• Best Direction of a Play (nominee)

;Drama Desk Award

• Outstanding New Play (nominee)
• Outstanding Actress in a Play Jane Alexander (winner)
• Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Robert Klein (nominee)
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Madeline Kahn (winner)
• Outstanding Director of a Play (nominee)

References

1. Herrington, Joan. ''The playwright's muse'' (2002), Routledge, ISBN 0815337795, p. 35
2. Gussow, Mel."Review/Theater; Wasserstein: Comedy, Character, Reflection",''The New York Times'', October 23, 1992
3. Outer Critics Circle Award, 1992-1993outercritics.org, accessed May 21, 2009