A Thousand Clowns is a comedic stage play written by American playwright Herb Gardner. The play premiered on Broadway in 1962 and was a critical and commercial success. The play was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play and since the original production has been revived twice on Broadway in 1996 and 2001.
Production history The play opened on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on April 5, 1962. The original production was directed and produced by Fred Coe and ran for 423 regular performances closing on April 13, 1963. Coe would go on to direct the 1965 film adaptation. The original production was nominated for three Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Featured Actress (Sandy Dennis) and Best Featured Actor (Barry Gordon). Sandy Dennis won the Tony Award for her performance as Sandra Markowitz.
In 1996, Roundabout Theatre Company revived the play at the Criterion Center Stage Right, opening on July 15, 1996, and closing on August 10, 1996, after 32 regular performances. The production was directed by Scott Ellis.A Thousand Clowns 1996 Playbill accessed 04/27/2025
In 2001, a third Broadway revival was produced, opening at the Longacre Theatre and directed by John Rando. The production opened on July 11, 2001, and closed on September 23, 2001, after 83 regular performances.
The play is available for licensing through Concord Theatricals.
In 1965, a film version of the play was released to critical success, earning four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Herb Gardner adapted his play for the screen as was nominated for Best Screenplay.
Original casts and characters CharacterBroadway (1962)Broadway (1996)Broadway (2001)Murray BurnsJason RobardsJudd HirschTom SelleckSandra MarkowitzSandy DennisMarin HinkleBarbara GarrickNick BurnsBarry GordonDov TiefenbachNicolas KingLeo HermanGene SaksJohn ProcaccinoMark BlumAlbert AmundsonWilliam DanielsJim FyfeBradford CoverArnold BurnsLarry HainesDavid MarguliesRobert LuPone
Awards and nominations Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref. Tony Awards Best Play Written by Herb Gardner Produced by Fred Coe and Arthur Cantor Best Featured Actor in a Play Barry Gordon Best Featured Actress in a Play Sandy Dennis
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