Although the movies and plays that Mike Nichols and Elaine May directed, wrote or acted in separately -- and even on occasion, together -- are what they're likely best-known for among the largest part of today's audience, it's their time together as comedy team that began their fame, including an acclaimed Broadway production. This is on the list of among my favorite Nichols & May sketches, and may have been the first one of theirs that I ever saw. I don’t think it gets seen (or heard) as much of their other classic pieces. In some ways, it’s a precursor to Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine telephone operator character. Here’s it’s Nichols is trying to make an important call on a pay phone (which were then far more prevalent than today…), but has to call the Bell Telephone company operator to resolve an issue. It’s not just that the sketch is so funny – and filled with such angst for a comedy sketch – but the acting of each is seriously impressive for a comedy sketch. (It’s worth noting that the two actually starred in a 1980 limited-run production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the respected Long Wharf Theater, to rave reviews -- and May won a Tony Award in 2019 for Best Actress in a Play, The Waverly Gallery. And in 1996, Nichols starred in Wallace Shawn’s play, The Designated Mourner, in a limited run in London, to rave reviews.)
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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