Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presents Classic Television / Today’s Stars: A Live Stage Reading of “Marty,"
Last week, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presented Classic Television / Today’s Stars: A Live Stage Reading of “Marty," the 1953 “Golden Age” teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky. The all-star cast featured Television Academy Honors winner Ray Romano reading the title role of “Marty,” Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad), Dermot Mulroney (New Girl), Joel McHale (Community), Brenda Vaccaro (You Don’t Know Jack), Loretta Devine (Grey’s Anatomy / The Client List), Pauley Perrette (NCIS), Raymond Cruz (The Closer / Major Crimes), Cleo King (Mike & Molly), Max Adler (Glee) and Patricia Bethune (True Blood / Mad Men).
With no prior rehearsals as a group, the actors entertained Academy members and their guests with their often hilarious portrayal of the characters. Emmy Award winners Brenda Vaccaro and Loretta Devine had the most laughs as they read the role of sisters “Mother” and “Aunt Catherine,” that commiserate on the widow’s fate of children leaving the home and being left alone at the “old age of 56.”
"Marty" was first telecast live May 24, 1953 on The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse and starred a young Rod Steiger (1967 Oscar® winner, In the Heat of the Night) in the title role and 25-year-old Nancy Marchand (four-time Emmy® winner, Lou Grant; The Sopranos) in her television debut, playing opposite Steiger as Clara. The teleplay told the story of a lonely, hard-working butcher from the Bronx who longed for the company of a woman in his life, but despaired of ever finding true love. The teleplay was adapted into a full-length feature film in 1955 starring Oscar®-winning actor Ernest Borgnine. Directed by Delbert Mann and written by Chayefsky, the film won four Academy Awards including Best Picture.