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The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds 1970

Opened: April 7, 1970
Closing: May 14, 1972

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds - 1970 Off-Broadway History , Info & More


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The Open Eye Theatre to Present THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 17, 2024


Experience THE OPEN EYE THEATER's presentation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS by Paul Zindel. Suitable for older teens and adults. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Previews: THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS at Essex Community Players
by Lesley Becker - May 2, 2024


A mother’s crushing struggle for sanity while grappling with economic and social realities that seem stacked against her and and her youngest daughter’s science project growing marigolds from seeds that have been exposed to radiation, or “gamma rays' collide in an inevitable collusion of the mother's delusions and the daughter's reality. The daughter's resilience allows her to thrive even with a toxic home life, in a way similar to the marigolds in her science experiment, which survive radiation exposure and produce beautiful flowers. Her resilience redeems hope and is the bright light at the heart of the play.

Photo Flash: First Look At Flint Repertory Theatre's THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
by Stephi Wild - Sep 14, 2019


Flint Repertory Theatre presents “THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS” by Paul Zindel, starring Janet Haley. Performances are Friday September 13 through Sunday September 22. Tickets are now on sale.

ABET Presents THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
by BWW News Desk - Oct 2, 2017


One of Off-Broadway's greatest successes, this powerful and moving study of a widow and her two young daughters has been hailed as one of the most significant and affecting plays of our time.

BWW Interview: Rob Lufty Talks About Directing THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
by E.H. Reiter - Sep 2, 2017


Rob Lufty, Associate Artistic Director of the Cygnet Theatre talks about his newest play THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS, currently playing at the Cygnet Theatre through September 24th.

Cygnet presents THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON-MARIGOLDS
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 24, 2017


The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds was the brainchild of a public school science teacher turned playwright, Paul Zindel. The work won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award for best American play. Generations of audiences are familiar with the film version from 1972, which was directed by Paul Newman and starred his wife, Joanne Woodward and their daughter, Nell Potts. Cygnet's production is directed by Rob Lutfy and runs August 30th through September 24th.

Photo Flash: Bridge Street Theatre presents THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 7, 2017


A mother's bitterness colors the lives of her two high school-aged daughters in Paul Zindel's 1971 Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds", coming to Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre for eight performances July 6-16. Called "the most compelling work of its kind since Tennessee Williams' 'The Glass Menagerie'", this poignant and lyrical drama will be performed by a cast of five brilliant female actors, led by Bridge Street favorite Roxanne Fay ("Home Fires Burning", "Dream Child", "Upon This Rock") in the role of Beatrice Hunsdorfer.

Bridge Street Theatre presents THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS
by BWW News Desk - Jul 6, 2017


A mother's bitterness colors the lives of her two high school-aged daughters in Paul Zindel's 1971 Pulitzer Prize-winning 'The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds', coming to Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre for eight performances July 6-16. Called 'the most compelling work of its kind since Tennessee Williams' 'The Glass Menagerie', this poignant and lyrical drama will be performed by a cast of five brilliant female actors, led by Bridge Street favorite Roxanne Fay ('Home Fires Burning', 'Dream Child', 'Upon This Rock') in the role of Beatrice Hunsdorfer.

Bridge Street Theatre presents THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 14, 2017


A mother's bitterness colors the lives of her two high school-aged daughters in Paul Zindel's 1971 Pulitzer Prize-winning 'The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds', coming to Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre for eight performances July 6-16. Called 'the most compelling work of its kind since Tennessee Williams' 'The Glass Menagerie', this poignant and lyrical drama will be performed by a cast of five brilliant female actors, led by Bridge Street favorite Roxanne Fay ('Home Fires Burning', 'Dream Child', 'Upon This Rock') in the role of Beatrice Hunsdorfer.

Kansas City Actors Theatre Opens 2014-15 Season with THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS
by BWW News Desk - Aug 13, 2014


Kansas City Actors Theatre kicks off its exciting 10th Year with Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. The company's plays this season all center around the theme 'The Art of the Family'…perhaps better known as 'The Art of the Dysfunctional Family.'

Kansas City Actors Theatre to Open 2014-15 Season with THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS, 8/13
by BWW News Desk - Aug 5, 2014


Kansas City Actors Theatre kicks off its exciting 10th Year with Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. The company's plays this season all center around the theme "The Art of the Family"…perhaps better known as "The Art of the Dysfunctional Family."

Sierra Stages to Present THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON-MARIGOLDS Reading, 9/25
by Molly Tracy - Sep 4, 2013


On Wednesday, September 25, for one night only, Sierra Stages and Miners Foundry Cultural Center present THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Paul Zindel, as the fourth in it series of informal play readings titled 'Theater by the Book'. The reading is directed by Diane Fetterly and takes place at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City at 7:30 PM.

'The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds' At Palm Beach Dramaworks
by Beau Higgins - Dec 26, 2011


The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds tells the story of Tillie, a hopeful and focused dreamer who struggles to keep her aspirations alive amidst the chaos of her home-life, controlled by a desperate mother wonting of love and a rebellious sister. Tensions are elevated on the night of the school science fair where Tillie is hoping to be acknowledged for her project on the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds. First published in 1970, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award for Best American Play.

'The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds' At Palm Beach Dramaworks
by Beau Higgins - Dec 3, 2011


The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds tells the story of Tillie, a hopeful and focused dreamer who struggles to keep her aspirations alive amidst the chaos of her home-life, controlled by a desperate mother wonting of love and a rebellious sister. Tensions are elevated on the night of the school science fair where Tillie is hoping to be acknowledged for her project on the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds. First published in 1970, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award for Best American Play.

'The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds' At Palm Beach Dramaworks
by Beau Higgins - Nov 22, 2011


The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds tells the story of Tillie, a hopeful and focused dreamer who struggles to keep her aspirations alive amidst the chaos of her home-life, controlled by a desperate mother wonting of love and a rebellious sister. Tensions are elevated on the night of the school science fair where Tillie is hoping to be acknowledged for her project on the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds. First published in 1970, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Obie Award for Best American Play.

BWW Reviews: Stray Dog Theatre Present THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS Through 3/20
by Chris Gibson - Mar 8, 2010


Playwright Paul Zindel's work THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS tells a painful and dark story, and offers only a glimmer of hope to its protagonist. Vaguely reminiscent of the work of Tennessee Williams, Zindel's play is peppered with poetic and lyrical snatches of dialog that seem at odds with their grungy surroundings, and he even includes a demented alcoholic figure that lords over the other characters, making their lives miserable in the process. Stray Dog Theatre's current presentation is a nicely mounted production, featuring a very solid cast.

Stray Dog Theatre Presents THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS 3/4-3/20
by Chris Gibson - Feb 19, 2010


Stray Dog Theatre presents the strong, funny, and best-known drama by Paul Zindel, THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS. Winner of the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and one of Off Broadway's greatest successes, this powerful intimate portrait of a widow and her two young daughters has been hailed as one of the most significant plays of the 20th century.

THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS Opens 2010 Season at Wilton Playshop, 1/22
by BWW News Desk - Jan 30, 2010


Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning drama The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, will open the 2010 New Year at the Wilton Playshop on Friday, January 22.

THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS Plays Through 1/30 at Wilton Playshop
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 26, 2010


Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning drama The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, opened the 2010 New Year at the Wilton Playshop on Friday, January 22.

THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS Opens 2010 Season at Wilton Playshop, 1/22
by BWW News Desk - Jan 22, 2010


Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning drama The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, will open the 2010 New Year at the Wilton Playshop on Friday, January 22.

THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS Opens 2010 Season at Wilton Playshop, 1/22
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 20, 2010


Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning drama The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, will open the 2010 New Year at the Wilton Playshop on Friday, January 22.

THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN IN THE MOON MARIGOLDS Opens 2010 Season at Wilton Playshop, 1/22
by BWW News Desk - Jan 3, 2010


Paul Zindel's Pulitzer Prize winning drama The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, will open the 2010 New Year at the Wilton Playshop on Friday, January 22.

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds History

Other Productions of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

1970   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2003   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds - 1970 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1970 Drama Desk Awards Best American Play Paul Zindel
1970 Drama Desk Awards Most Promising Playwright Paul Zindel
1970 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Performance Sada Thompson
1970 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best American Play Paul Zindel
1970 Obie Awards Best Performance Sada Thompson
1970 Obie Awards Direction Melvin Bernhardt
1970 Obie Awards Performance Pamela Payton-Wright

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