Rich and Famous

Rich and Famous is a two-act play by John Guare. It premiered in 1974 at the Academy Festival Theatre in Lake Forest, Illinois, and made its Off-Broadway debut in 1976. Synopsis Bing Ringling is an old "promising" playwright, finally about to have a play produced -- play number 844. Productions Rich and Famous was first produced by William Gardner at the Academy Festival Theatre, in Lake Forest, Illinois, in August 1974. It was directed by Mel Shapiro and starred Charles Kimbrough, Linda Lavin, and Ron Leibman. Guare wrote the music for the play, which was performed by a small band consisting of Bass, Sax, and Woodwinds. Rich and Famous premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theater New York Shakespeare Festival on January 13, 1976 and closed on April 25, 1976. Directed by Mel Shapiro, set design Dan Snyder, costume design Theoni V. Aldredge, and lighting design Arden Fingerhut. The cast starred William Atherton starred as Bing Ringling, with Anita Gillette playing the "Female Parts" and Ron Leibman playing the "Male Parts".