The American Way

The American Way is a play by American playwrights George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Production The original Broadway production of The American Way opened at the Center Theatre on January 21, 1939, in a production produced by Sam H. Harris and Max Gordon. It was directed by Kaufman and designed by Donald Oenslager (sets), Irene Sharaff (costumes), and Hassard Short (lights). Husband and wife actors Fredric March and Florence Eldridge starred as Martin and Irma Gunther. Dick Van Patten had a role as Martin's grandson, Karl, at age 9; David Wayne played an adult version of the same character. This production made Scott McKay's debut in appearing in Broadway plays. The American Way closed in June 1939, after 164 performances, and reopened July 17, playing for an additional 80 performances before closing permanently on September 23, 1939.