First Lady

First Lady is a 1935 play written by Katharine Dayton and George S. Kaufman. It is a three-act comedy, with three settings and a large cast. There are four scenes, which occur at monthly intervals starting with the December prior to a presidential election year. The story concerns a Washington, D.C. socialite who almost lets her rivalry with another social maven impede her husband's political future. The title is a play on the usual term accorded to a President's wife, suggesting it really belongs to the leading society hostess in the capitol. It was first produced by Sam H. Harris, staged by George S. Kaufman, with sets by Donald Oenslager, costumes by John Hambleton, and starred Jane Cowl. It ran on Broadway from November 1935 through June 1936. It was third on the Best Plays of the Season list by Burns Mantle of the New York Daily News. The play was adapted for a film of the same name in 1937, and was revived for a limited engagement on Broadway during 1952. Characters For clarity, only the principal speaking parts are listed; some featured roles and walk-ons are omitted. Lead Lucy Chase Wayne is a prominent social hostess in Washington, born and raised in the White House. Sophy Prescott is Lucy's smooth, competant social secretary and confidant. Stephen Wayne is the Secretary of State, a potential presidential candidate and Lucy's husband. Irene Hibbard is a much-married socialite, a bottle blonde from Ohio with a veneer of European education. Supporting Emmy Paige is Lucy's young Southern niece. Belle Hardwick is the blunt wife of an older senator, who helps out at Lucy's reception. Mrs. Creevey is an exuberant "club-woman", who heads up the Women's Peace and Purity League. Senator Keane is an ambitious young western senator who has caught Irene's eye. Carter Hibbard is Irene's much older husband, a Supreme Court justice, who loves comic strips. Ellsworth T. Ganning is the owner of a chain of newspapers. Featured Charles is the butler in the Wayne household. Mrs. Ives called Mary, is a "tea-pourer" at Lucy's reception. Ann Forester is the attractive wife of a State department employee, an unofficial aide to Lucy. Tom Hardwick is a wise older senator, married to Belle. Bleecker is the butler in the Hibbard household. George Mason is a judge who supports the Hibbard campaign scheme. Jason Fleming is a young employee of the State department, keen on Emmy.