BORN YESTERDAY
Written by Garson Kanin
Directed by Gayle Stahlhuth
Fight Director Joseph Travers
July 29 - September 5
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM
Tickets: $35; $30 (ages 62+); $20 students and military (active/retired/veteran)
Ages 12 and under free
Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. a Concord Theatricals Company
Directed by Gayle Stahlhuth
Fight Director Joseph Travers
July 29 - September 5
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM
Tickets: $35; $30 (ages 62+); $20 students and military (active/retired/veteran)
Ages 12 and under free
Presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. a Concord Theatricals Company
This 1946 comedy is about a business tycoon, Harry Brock, who brings his Broadway chorus girlfriend,
Billie Dawn, to Washington, D.C. on a business trip. Here, he intends to convince those in Congress to vote
his way. When he realizes that Billie doesn't fit in well with Washington society, which might hinder his business dealings, he hires journalist Paul Verrall to tutor her. Although reluctant at first, Billie proves to
be a quick learner about American history and the founding of this country, which leads her to ask
questions about Brock's intentions in Washington.
Can trouble be far behind?
"When this play was written, it was a fable, but after Watergate, it became a documentary." - Garson Kanin
Billie Dawn, to Washington, D.C. on a business trip. Here, he intends to convince those in Congress to vote
his way. When he realizes that Billie doesn't fit in well with Washington society, which might hinder his business dealings, he hires journalist Paul Verrall to tutor her. Although reluctant at first, Billie proves to
be a quick learner about American history and the founding of this country, which leads her to ask
questions about Brock's intentions in Washington.
Can trouble be far behind?
"When this play was written, it was a fable, but after Watergate, it became a documentary." - Garson Kanin
LIBRARY WAY (a note by ELTC's artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth)
Many of you know I like to ice skate at Bryant Park. I like skating here for several reasons, one of which is, it gives me great pleasure to know I’m skating over stacks and stacks of books. Another is, it’s near Library Way.
If you approach the New York Public Library, facing the lions (named Patience and Fortitude), from Park Avenue on 41st Street, don’t forget to look down on the sidewalk. That’s where you’ll find “Library Way.” Here, you’ll see beautiful bronze plaques designed by Gregg LeFevre, involving images inspired by the texts of 45 writers from 11 countries spanning 20 centuries. This project started in the early 1990s with librarians submitting many quotes and the final quotes determined by experts that included those at “New Yorker” magazine. If you can't see the plaques in person, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/42394240@N07/sets/72157626738626135/
Three of the 45 writers quoted have been represented on ELTC’s stage: Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, and Kate Chopin. A fourth will be joining them: Garson Kanin. The quote, from Born Yesterday, reflects his personal belief: “I want everybody to be smart. As smart as they can be. A world of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.” Kanin died in 1999, a year after the plaque was placed.
Many of you know I like to ice skate at Bryant Park. I like skating here for several reasons, one of which is, it gives me great pleasure to know I’m skating over stacks and stacks of books. Another is, it’s near Library Way.
If you approach the New York Public Library, facing the lions (named Patience and Fortitude), from Park Avenue on 41st Street, don’t forget to look down on the sidewalk. That’s where you’ll find “Library Way.” Here, you’ll see beautiful bronze plaques designed by Gregg LeFevre, involving images inspired by the texts of 45 writers from 11 countries spanning 20 centuries. This project started in the early 1990s with librarians submitting many quotes and the final quotes determined by experts that included those at “New Yorker” magazine. If you can't see the plaques in person, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/42394240@N07/sets/72157626738626135/
Three of the 45 writers quoted have been represented on ELTC’s stage: Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, and Kate Chopin. A fourth will be joining them: Garson Kanin. The quote, from Born Yesterday, reflects his personal belief: “I want everybody to be smart. As smart as they can be. A world of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.” Kanin died in 1999, a year after the plaque was placed.
THE CAST, CREW, and PLAYWRIGHT
Amanda Brinlee (Bellhop/Manicurist/Waitress) is a recent graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and is thrilled to start her professional career with East Lynne Theater Company. Her favorite projects have included working on Steel Magnolias as Truvy, Hay Fever as Jackie and Lia Romeo’s new play, The Agency as Ani. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and ELTC for this opportunity.
Connor J. Burke (Assistant Manager/Barber) played Arthur in ELTC's Ah, Wilderness! Past favorite roles include Bobby in Company, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, and Mortiz Stiefel in Spring Awakening at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown PA, and Sylvester in the premiere of Survive! The Musical at the 2019 New Jersey Fringe Festival. He would like to thank his loved ones for all their support.
Veronique Hurley (Billie Dawn) was in ELTC's The Rainmaker, Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, Silent Sky and Biography. Off Broadway Theatre Credits include: The Tempest, As You Like it, Twelfth Night, Hunting and Gathering (The Glass Eye), Women are crazy because men are Assholes (Cherry Lane Theatre); Regional Credits Include: Noises Off, To Kill A Mockingbird, Christmas Carol, (The Hartford Stage Company) The Straight Marriage Plays, Moon Over Buffalo (Cape May Stage), Around the World in 80 Days (won best ensemble, Broadwayworld.com), Bunnicula and Charlotte's Web (Playhouse on Park). Member AEA.
Mat Labotka (Paul Verrall) was in ELTC's The Rainmaker and Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. An alum of Chicago’s Second City Conservatory and Marquette University, Mat is both classically trained and freshly comedic. New York credits include Henry in The King’s Face, Albert in Relativity of Love (Break A Leg), Victor in The Star and The Fire (90 Square Arts). Chicago credits include Metropolis Theatre, Circle Theatre, Second City, iO Chicago, Underground Lounge. Mat also performs in commercials, improv and stand-up comedy. matlabotka.com Member AEA.
Mark Edward Lang (Harry Brock) Theater and corporate training events have taken him to 35 U.S. states and around the world; including trips to Malaysia, Tanzania, Copenhagen and Istanbul. Favorite roles include Alfred Lunt in the biographical drama Lunt and Fontanne: The Celestials of Broadway (FringeNYC and Classic Theatre of San Antonio; also playwright), Captain Robert Scott in Terra Nova and Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest (Hilton Head Playhouse), The Actor in ELTC’s The Guardsman (with wife Alison J. Murphy), seven roles in the Irish comedy Stones in his Pockets (Open Stage of Harrisburg), Kosti in Welcome Home Marian Anderson (Off-Broadway and tour); and ELTC’s The Rainmaker, Ah, Wilderness!, Biography, Zorro!, Christopher Bean, The Poe Mysteries, Dulcy, Butter and Egg Man, Why Marry?, The New York Idea, Voice of the City, The Dictator (2001), Four by Four and You and I (Best Actor Jacoby Award, 2007). He’s performed Shakespeare, Molière and new works in NYC and on tour; as well as theater workshops and directing, including ELTC’s Anna Christie. Graduate of Vassar College. Member AEA, SAG-AFTRA.
Mark Lazar (Ed Devery) played Nat Miller in ELTC's Ah, Wilderness! and multiple roles in Zorro!. He is a 20-year company member with People's Light & Theatre Company, outside Philadelphia. Some favorite productions there: The Matchmaker, Sense and Sensibility, The Foreigner, The Rainmaker, King Lear, Twelfth Night, Born Yesterday, Camping with Henry and Tom, Sherlock Holmes and The Jersey Lily and The Secret of Sherlock. And Mr. Lazar is The Resident Dame for PLTC’s sell-out British Pantomimes, these past 13 Holiday Seasons. He was a 12-season company member of The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, performing the classics and 10 Christmas Carols as Ebenezer Scrooge. He was a resident actor at Charlotte Repertory Theatre: Charlotte Award: Best Actor, Max Prince: Laughter on the 23rd Floor; Best Actor, Wallace: Darwin. Mark is a founding member and 10-year veteran of The Madison Rep, and has performed with most of Wisconsin’s other professional theatres including The Milwaukee Rep, American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Theatre Tesseract, Next Generation Theatre, Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival. Other Regional credits include Cider Mill Playhouse, Festival Stage of Winston Salem, New American Theatre, and national tours with Great American Children’s Theatre Co. He is the voice of Scrooge for First State Children’s Theatre’s live theatrical broadcasts of A Christmas Carol, heard on Delaware Public Radio. Member AEA
Morgan J. Nichols (Eddie/Assistant Stage Manager) has been seen in the following ELTC productions: Arsenic and Old Lace, To The Ladies, The Butter and Egg Man and Berkeley Square. Of late in his career he has been focused on building a TV and film career, landing roles in shows like CBS's Blue Bloods and HBO's Vinyl. Most importantly, he would like to say a big thank you to you the audience, for without you, there would be no reason to get up in the morning. Thank you. Member AEA.
Jakob Pender (Bellhop/Bootblack) played Tommy in ELTC's Ah, Wilderness! He is a high school student who enjoys theater, baseball, and travel. For three summers, from 2014-2016, he participated in the wonderful Student Theater Workshop at ELTC. In 2019, he was a production assistant for the Workshop. Jakob has been in a variety of school plays including works by Shakespeare and Mark Twain. He plans to be a veterinarian.
Parker Smith (Senator Norval Hedges) is an accomplished stage actor who has been working professionally for over 40 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from The College of New Jersey where he studied musical theater and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. He has performed at numerous regional theaters throughout New Jersey including performances with The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, NJ Theatre Alliance, South Jersey Regional Theater, Stockton University, Atlantic Cape Community College, Elaine’s Dinner Theater, Cape May MAC, and Cape May Stage. In addition to theater, Parker appears regularly in television commercials, music videos and print ads. His favorite roles include Zach in A Chorus Line, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady and title character in Scrooge the Musical. Parker is excited to be making his ELTC debut.
Susan Tischler (Mrs. Hedges) is the storyteller for The Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides, produced by ELTC with Cape May MAC. She was commissioned by ELTC to write and perform Helpful Hints based on Putnam's Household Handbook (1916). Directed by Karen Case Cook, it premiered at The Chalfonte and was part of ELTC's Mainstage Season in 2011. She was also in ELTC's Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band and The People of Cape May vs. Johan Van Buren, written by Dutch TV personality Judge Frank Visser, produced by ELTC as part of the 400th Anniversary of Cape May’s Founding. From 2017-2019, she performed for SPQR Theatre, also in Cape May, in Calliope Rose, The Wreck of the Spanish Armada, and her own original works, Meet the Locals and Tao of Tisch. She was then selected to perform Tao of Tisch at The Women's Theatre Comedy Showcase in Parsippany, NJ. Other credits include portraying Minnie Pearl and co-producing Barry’s Cape May Opry and Barry’s Christmas Opry, proceeds of the latter go to the West Cape May Christmas Parade. Susan is the co-owner of Kaleidoscope and Just for Laughs on the Washington Street Mall in Cape May, and writes for Exit Zero. Her reminiscence of her father, Fred Brown, a coal miner from Pittsburgh, was included in the late Tim Russert’s book Wisdom of Our Fathers, published in 2006.
Gayle Stahlhuth (Helen/Director/Artistic Director) has performed off-Broadway (Manhattan Theatre Club, etc.) in national tours (Cabaret, Fiddler, etc.), regional theater (Gateway Playhouse in Long Island, etc.), television (various soaps, etc.), radio (jingles and Voice of America), and on the Chautauqua Circuit. Since becoming ELTC’s Artistic Director in 1999, she has produced over 100 differerent plays/musicals (some returned for another season), including 21 world premieres and 10 NJ premieres, and directed over half of them. Her adaptations for ELTC include Tales by Twain, that also ran at Surflight Theatre; Spoon River, based on the famous Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters, and The Ransom of Red Chief based on O.Henry's classic tale. She’s been awarded commissions from The National Portrait Gallery, the Missouri and Illinois Humanities Councils, and grants from the NJ Humanities Council, the NYS Council on the Arts, and the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for the Arts. For several years she was a judge for the Emmy Awards in the field of broadcast news. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, and the League of Professional Women, who honored her in 2016 for her work in theater.
Joseph Travers (Fight Director) was the fight director for ELTC's The Rainmaker, Zorro! and Within the Law. He also served as fight director for the Broadway production of Bronx Bombers, the Off-Broadway premier of The View Upstairs, and the Regional premier of Robin and Clark’s musical adaptation of Treasure Island. Off-Broadway: Primary Stages (While I Yet Live), Playwrights Horizons (Essential Self – Defense, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Blue Door, Chinese Friends), New York Theatre Workshop (Too Much Memory). Regional: Capital Repertory Company (Shakespeare in Love), Fulton Theatre (Treasure Island), Virginia Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, Cymbeline), New Repertory Theatre (Bakersfield Mist), Wellfleet Harbor Actor Theatre (The Pillowman). Joe was stunt coordinator for the award-winning film The Depths (starring Michael Rispoli) and for Fox-Searchlight’s Lifted. He also served as sword master and stunt coordinator for the upcoming fantasy feature Tower of Silence. Joe holds the rank of Certified Fight Director with both the Society of American Fight Directors and Fight Directors Canada. Proud member of SDC.
Lee O'Connor (Technical Director/Stage Manager) served in Vietnam, first in the field, and then in an Army theater troupe. NYC backstage credits include A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden Theatre and Liza Steppin’ Out at Radio City, running lights for Pageant, stage managing for Irish Repertory Theatre, The Staten Island Ballet, and Dancers Over 40 Special Events, and prop master for Penn and Teller Rot in Hell. Regionally, he has worked at Ivoryton Playhouse, American Stage Company, Centenary Stage, The Bickford Theater, and The Women's Theater Company. He is a popular reader for ELTC's “Tales of the Victorians” and has portrayed Holmes in most of ELTC's radio-style Sherlock Holmes' productions. Lee and his wife, Gayle, have homes in Manhattan and West Cape May. Member AEA.
Andrew Lofredo (Production Assistant)
Annamarie J. Goosley (Scenic Designer) Is from Upstate New York and goes to school at Le Moyne College. This is her first production with ELTC. She is very excited to be starting her professional career with such an amazing company. She has done Scenic Design for many shows; her favorite production for which she Designed was A Dying City . She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her in this journey as well as ELTC for giving her such an amazing opportunity.
Marion T. Brady (Costume Designer) , since 1995, has designed and built costumes for East Lynne Theater Company, covering the time period of 1778 (Berkeley Square, a time-travel play based on an unfinished novel by Henry James, written by John L. Balderston) through 1968 (On the Sunny Side of the Street: a world premiere musical revue based on the lyrics of Dorothy Fields). In 2010, for her 15 years of costuming for ELTC, the company honored her at the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s annual Curtain Call gala. In 2014, three of Marion’s dresses she designed and built for ELTC’s It Pays to Advertise, a comedy first on Broadway in 1914, were part of ELTC’s holiday display at Drumthwacket, the Governor’s Mansion near Princeton. The costumes in the Governor’s Office are pictured here. And the production shots of all of our shows that you see here on this web site? Marion did those, too! Her work for ELTC has been praised by reviewers for “The Star-Ledger,” “The Philadelphia Inquirer,” “The Wall Street Journal,” and “The New York Times.” Other theaters where she has worked include Fairleigh Dickinson University, Montclair Dramatic Club, Union County College Theater Project, The Nutley Little Theatre, and Meadowlands Theater Company. She lives with her husband in Little Falls, NJ.
PLAYWRIGHT GARSON KANIN
Garson Kanin, born on November 24, 1912 in Rochester, NY, wrote plays, essays, screenplays, short stories, novels, memoirs, songs, and a libretto, and directed plays, musicals, documentaries and films. His father, a real estate developer, bought a movie theater, and Kanin began studying silent films – sometimes frame by frame, in the projection booth. He dropped out of high school to work as a stock clerk at Macy’s, but soon immersed himself in performing, forming his own band, Gar Kay and the Red Peppers, featuring himself on clarinet. He worked as a comedian in the Catskills and at the Eltinge Theater in New York, attended and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and made his Broadway debut in 1933 in Little Ol’ Boy. He also performed in radio and had a recurring role on The Goldbergs.
In 1936, he directed his first Broadway play, Hitch Your Wagon. That same year he become a production assistant to Samuel Goldwyn in Hollywood. After a year, he began working for RKO Studios where he directed his first feature film, A Man to Remember, written by Dalton Trumbo. He directed seven more films at RKO, including My Favorite Wife. In 1941, Kanin was drafted into the U.S. Army’s Film Unit. In 1942, Kanin married stage and film actress Ruth Gordon.
The military enlisted Kanin in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA, and sent him to the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in London. Kanin, with Carol Reed, co-directed General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s official record of the Allied Invasion, a documentary titled The True Glory. The True Glory was named Best Film of 1945 by the National Board of Review and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary that year.
Gordon’s earnings from her successful Broadway career, made it possible for Kanin to stay at Claridge’s while in London, instead of the barracks. It was here that Kanin wrote a draft of Born Yesterday. It opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theater on February 4, 1946. Kanin directed the play, which catapulted the then-unknown Judy Holliday to stardom. The hit comedy ran for four years (1649 performances), still holding the record for longest-running play at that theater.
Kanin and Gordon wrote four screenplays, three of which–A Double Life (1948), Adam’s Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952)–were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. Meanwhile, Kanin was also directing Gordon in Broadway plays, including The Leading Lady and A Very Rich Woman, both written by Gordon as well as The Smile of the World, which he wrote in 1949.
Throughout the 50’s, Kanin wrote several screenplays, including It Should Happen to You, which starred Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon. In 1955, he directed the Broadway and London premieres of The Diary of Anne Frank.
Also, in 1955, his first short story was published: “A Day at a Time” for Good Housekeeping. He continued to write stories, essays, and books, including Remembering Mr. Maugham and Tracy and Hepburn: An Intimate Memoir.
In the 1960’s, for Broadway, he directed Do Re Mi, which he adapted from his novella, with music and lyrics by Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. He directed Robert Redford in Sunday in New York and Henry Fonda in A Gift of Time, which Kanin adapted from the memoir Death of a Man by Lael Wertenbaker. In 1964, he directed Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. That same year, he created the TV series Mr. Broadway. In 1978 Kanin and Gordon co-wrote the CBS TV movie Hardhat and Legs. The miniseries based on his novel Moviola was broadcast in 1980.
In 1985, he was inducted into The Theater Hall of Fame. That same year, Ruth Gordon, died in Martha’s Vineyard.
During his last decade Kanin reaped the rewards of a successful artistic career. For many years he served on the Dramatists Guild Council and as first Vice-President of The Players Club. The Authors League of America elected him its President. Born Yesterday enjoyed a Broadway revival and national tour, starring Madeline Kahn and Ed Asner. Numerous organizations honored his life and career: he received the William Inge Lifetime Achievement Award (1987); the Writers Guild of America’s Valentine Davies Award (1989); The Players’ Edwin Booth Lifetime Achievement Award (1996); and the Mr. Abbott Award from the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (1997).
In 1990 Kanin married the actress Marian Seldes. He died on March 13, 1999 in New York City.
Part of Library Way, there is a bronze plaque on the 41st Street sidewalk, heading towards the New York Public Library. The quote, from Born Yesterday, reflects Garson Kanin’s personal belief: “I want everybody to be smart. As smart as they can be. A world of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.”
Garson Kanin, born on November 24, 1912 in Rochester, NY, wrote plays, essays, screenplays, short stories, novels, memoirs, songs, and a libretto, and directed plays, musicals, documentaries and films. His father, a real estate developer, bought a movie theater, and Kanin began studying silent films – sometimes frame by frame, in the projection booth. He dropped out of high school to work as a stock clerk at Macy’s, but soon immersed himself in performing, forming his own band, Gar Kay and the Red Peppers, featuring himself on clarinet. He worked as a comedian in the Catskills and at the Eltinge Theater in New York, attended and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and made his Broadway debut in 1933 in Little Ol’ Boy. He also performed in radio and had a recurring role on The Goldbergs.
In 1936, he directed his first Broadway play, Hitch Your Wagon. That same year he become a production assistant to Samuel Goldwyn in Hollywood. After a year, he began working for RKO Studios where he directed his first feature film, A Man to Remember, written by Dalton Trumbo. He directed seven more films at RKO, including My Favorite Wife. In 1941, Kanin was drafted into the U.S. Army’s Film Unit. In 1942, Kanin married stage and film actress Ruth Gordon.
The military enlisted Kanin in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the CIA, and sent him to the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in London. Kanin, with Carol Reed, co-directed General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s official record of the Allied Invasion, a documentary titled The True Glory. The True Glory was named Best Film of 1945 by the National Board of Review and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary that year.
Gordon’s earnings from her successful Broadway career, made it possible for Kanin to stay at Claridge’s while in London, instead of the barracks. It was here that Kanin wrote a draft of Born Yesterday. It opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theater on February 4, 1946. Kanin directed the play, which catapulted the then-unknown Judy Holliday to stardom. The hit comedy ran for four years (1649 performances), still holding the record for longest-running play at that theater.
Kanin and Gordon wrote four screenplays, three of which–A Double Life (1948), Adam’s Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952)–were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. Meanwhile, Kanin was also directing Gordon in Broadway plays, including The Leading Lady and A Very Rich Woman, both written by Gordon as well as The Smile of the World, which he wrote in 1949.
Throughout the 50’s, Kanin wrote several screenplays, including It Should Happen to You, which starred Judy Holliday and Jack Lemmon. In 1955, he directed the Broadway and London premieres of The Diary of Anne Frank.
Also, in 1955, his first short story was published: “A Day at a Time” for Good Housekeeping. He continued to write stories, essays, and books, including Remembering Mr. Maugham and Tracy and Hepburn: An Intimate Memoir.
In the 1960’s, for Broadway, he directed Do Re Mi, which he adapted from his novella, with music and lyrics by Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green. He directed Robert Redford in Sunday in New York and Henry Fonda in A Gift of Time, which Kanin adapted from the memoir Death of a Man by Lael Wertenbaker. In 1964, he directed Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. That same year, he created the TV series Mr. Broadway. In 1978 Kanin and Gordon co-wrote the CBS TV movie Hardhat and Legs. The miniseries based on his novel Moviola was broadcast in 1980.
In 1985, he was inducted into The Theater Hall of Fame. That same year, Ruth Gordon, died in Martha’s Vineyard.
During his last decade Kanin reaped the rewards of a successful artistic career. For many years he served on the Dramatists Guild Council and as first Vice-President of The Players Club. The Authors League of America elected him its President. Born Yesterday enjoyed a Broadway revival and national tour, starring Madeline Kahn and Ed Asner. Numerous organizations honored his life and career: he received the William Inge Lifetime Achievement Award (1987); the Writers Guild of America’s Valentine Davies Award (1989); The Players’ Edwin Booth Lifetime Achievement Award (1996); and the Mr. Abbott Award from the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (1997).
In 1990 Kanin married the actress Marian Seldes. He died on March 13, 1999 in New York City.
Part of Library Way, there is a bronze plaque on the 41st Street sidewalk, heading towards the New York Public Library. The quote, from Born Yesterday, reflects Garson Kanin’s personal belief: “I want everybody to be smart. As smart as they can be. A world of ignorant people is too dangerous to live in.”
