The Ballad of the Sad Café is a dramatic stage play with music written by American playwright Edward Albee, based on the 1951 novella of the same name written by Carson McCullers.New York Times Review accessed 04/27/2025 The play premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre in 1963. The play follows a woman named Amelia and her tumultuous relationship with her husband. The play was nominated for six Tony Awards including the Tony Award for Best Play.Edward Albee Society Show Listing accessed 04/27/2025
Production history The play opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 30, 1963, and closed on February 14, 1964 running a total of 123 performances. This was Edward Albee's second Broadway play and his follow up to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962).Playbill Vault Show Listing accessed 04/27/2025 The play was directed by Alan Schneider. For her performance, Colleen Dewhurst was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. The play also received nominations for Best Play, Best Producer, Best Featured Actor in a Play (Michael Dunn), and Best Scenic Design. The play includes original music composed by William Flanagan.Tony Awards 1964 Nominees accessed 04/27/2025
In 1977, the play was revived Off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre.New York Times 1977 Review accessed 04/27/2025
The play is available for licensing through Concord Theatricals.
Original cast and characters CharacterBroadway (1963)Amelia Evans Colleen DewhurstHenry Macy William PrinceLymanMichael DunnMarvin MacyLou AntonioThe Narrator Roscoe Lee BrowneEmma HaleEnid MarkeyStumpy MacPhailJohn C. BecherMrs. PetersonJenny EganMerlie RyanRoberts Blossom
Awards and nominations Original Broadway production Year Award Category Nominee Result 1964 Tony Award Best Play Best Actress in a Play Colleen Dewhurst Best Featured Actor in a Play Michael Dunn Best Direction of a Play Alan Schneider Best Costume Design Ben Edwards Best Producer Lewis M. Allen and Ben Edwards
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