The Old Maid

The Old Maid is a 1934 play by American playwright Zoë Akins, adapted from Edith Wharton's 1924 novella of the same name. The play as published has six "episodes", covering twenty-one years of time. It has a large cast, and three settings; one is used for the last four episodes (scenes). The story concerns two women, cousins, who allow rancor over a lost love to become a struggle for the illegitimate daughter of one. The original production was produced by Harry Moses, staged by Guthrie McClintic, had sets and costumes by Stewart Chaney, and starred Judith Anderson and Helen Menken. It played on Broadway from January through September 1935, then went on tour for seven months. Despite reviews that ranged from mild praise to negative at its inception, the play was awarded the 1935 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a decision marked by controversy over the snubbing of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour. It has never had a revival on Broadway. It was adapted for a motion picture under the same name in 1939. Characters Leads Delia Lovell is an attractive stylish woman who marries James Ralston for comfort, not love. Charlotte Lovell called "Chatty", is Delia's plain cousin, who secretly had Clement Spender's daughter. Supporting Dr. Lanskell is a kindly old family physician, who knows Charlotte's secret. Mrs. Mingott is the tart-tongued aunt to James and Joseph Ralston, who is visiting from Paris. James Ralston is the wealthy man Delia marries at the end of the first scene. Joseph Ralston is the brother of James, and the fiancee of Charlotte. Delia Halsey known as "Dee", is Delia's twenty-year-old married natural daughter. John Halsey is Dee's husband and Delia's son-in-law. Lanning Halsey is a cousin of John Halsey, and love interest for the adult Tina. Tina is the 19 year-old daughter of Charlotte; she knows her real mother only as an old maid. Featured Nora is Delia's maid in the first scene. Bridget is an Irish servant who works at the day-nursery. Mrs. Jennie Meade is the working mother of an infant boy who is cared for at the day-nursery. Clementina is Tina at age five, when she was living with Cyrus and Jessamine while attending the day-nursery. Benny, Tommy, and Susan are poor children attending the day-nursery who taunt Clementina. Servant is a woman with a shawl, who appears at the end of Act I Scene 2 to announce the dressmakers.