The Best Man — Nominee for Best Revival of a Play

Opened:
April 24, 2012

Author:
Gore Vidal

The Story:
Set in 1960 at a fictional political convention, The Best Man is the story of two presidential candidates hoping to earn their party’s nomination: Secretary William Russell and Senator Joseph Cantwell. When Cantwell threatens to smear Russell’s reputation, Russell faces a tough decision. Will he unleash an equally devastating smear on Cantwell to win the presidential ticket, or keep his moral integrity intact even if it could mean losing the race?

Producers:
Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, INFINITY Stages, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Barbara Manocherian/ Michael Palitz, Kathleen K. Johnson, Andy Sandberg, Ken Mahoney/The Broadway Consortium, Fifty Church Street Productions, Larry Hirschhorn/Bennu Productions, Patty Baker, Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment, Wendy Federman, Mark S. Golub & David S. Golub, Cricket Hooper Jiranek, Stewart F. Lane & Bonnie Comley, Carl Moellenberg, Harold Thau, Will Trice

Other Honors:
—Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Play Revival
—Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Play
—Outer Critics Circle nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Play
—Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Revival of a Play

Fun Fact:
The Best Man star James Earl Jones (former President Arthur Hockstader) was the first African-American to portray the President on film in The Man (1972).