The Torch-Bearers
The Torch-Bearers is a 1922 stage play by George Kelly about a housewife who becomes an actress while her husband is away on business, with Act I being the rehearsal at their home, Act II is the show, and Act III is afterwards. The play is in the style of, as is the play within the play, of the Little Theatre Movement.Production history
Original production
It premiered originally in New Jersey at the Savoy Theatre in Asbury Park, directed by Kelly. The original cast was:
The show transferred to Broadway and opened on August 29, 1922 at the 48th Street Theatre before moving to the Vanderbilt Theatre.2000 revival
The show was revived in 2000 at the Greenwich House, directed by Dylan Baker, with set design by Michael Vaughn Sims, costume design by Jonathan Bixby and Gregory Gale, lighting by Mark Stanley, sound by Robert Murphy, hair design by Darlene Dannenfelser, production supervision by Entolo, production stage management by John Handy, and assistant stage management by Casey Bozeman.2009 revival
It was revived again in 2009 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, also directed by Dylan Baker, with set design by David Korins, lighting by Rui Rita, costume design by Ilona Somogyi, sound design by Alex Neumann, and original music by Michael Garin.Screen adaptations
In 1935, William Conselman and Bartlett Cormack adapted The Torch-Bearers into Doubting Thomas starring Will Rogers, Billie Burke, and Alison Skipworth. A 1939 movie, Too Busy [to Work (1939 film)|Too Busy to Work], starred Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, and Kenneth Howell.