Mourning Becomes Electra

Mourning Becomes Electra is a play cycle written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. The play premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on 26 October 1931 where it ran for 150 performances before closing in March 1932, starring Lee Baker (Ezra), Earle Larimore (Orin), Alice Brady (Lavinia) and Alla Nazimova (Christine). In May 1932, it was unsuccessfully revived at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre) with Thurston Hall (Ezra), Walter Abel (Orin), Judith Anderson (Lavinia) and Florence Reed (Christine), and, in 1972, at the Circle in the Square Theatre, with Donald Davis (Ezra), Stephen McHattie (Orin), Pamela Payton-Wright (Lavinia), and Colleen Dewhurst (Christine). Characters and background Main characters Brigadier General Ezra Mannon Christine Mannon, his wife Lavinia Mannon – their daughter Orin Mannon – their son, First Lieutenant of Infantry Captain Adam Brant – of the clipper "Flying Trades" Captain Peter Niles – Orin's friend, from the U.S. Artillery Hazel Niles – his sister Seth Beckwith – the old family retainer and gardener Chorus of townsfolk – (various chorus members appear in different scenes) Amos Ames – a middle-aged carpenter Louisa Ames – Amos' wife Minnie – Louisa's cousin The Chantyman Josiah Bordon – manager of the shipping company Emma – his wife Everett Hills, D.D. – of the First Congregational Church His wife Doctor Joseph Blake – a family physician Ira Mackel – an old farmer Joe Silva – a Portuguese fishing captain Abner Small – a little old clerk in a hardware store