at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. The play was first performed in February 1979 at the Actors Theatre Louisville and it was named co-winner of the contest. The play continued to be developed, with productions in Los Gatos, California, St. Louis, and Baltimore at the Centre Stage Theatre. The Manhattan Theatre Club produced the play Off-Broadway at Stage 73, from December 9, 1980, to January 11, 1981, for 35 sold-out performances. Directed by Melvin Bernhardt, the set design was by John Lee Beatty, costumes by Patricia McGourty, and lighting by Dennis Parichy. The cast featured Mia Dillon (Babe McGrath), Mary Beth Hurt (Meg McGrath), Lizbeth MacKay (Lenny McGrath), Julie Nesbit (Chick Boyle), Stephen Burleigh (Doc Porter), and Peter MacNicol (Barnette Lloyd). The play opened on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre on November 4, 1981, and closed on February 13, 1983, after 535 performances and 13 previews with cast replacements Raymond Baker (Doc Porter) and Sharon Ullrick (Chick Boyle). Holly Hunter made her Broadway debut later in the run as a replacement in the role of Meg. J. Smith-Cameron also made her debut later in the run as Babe. The Broadway cast also performed in a production at the Ahmanson Theatre in 1983. The first London production was in 1983 at the Bush Theatre. The first Chicago production was at the Blackstone Theatre in 1983. An Off-Broadway revival at Second Stage Theatre ran from April 16, 2001 to May 13, 2001. It was directed by Garry Hynes, and featured Julia Murney (Chick), Enid Graham (Lenny), Mary Catherine Garrison (Babe), and Amy Ryan (Meg). The play was nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival. The play was presented at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in August 2007, directed by Kathleen Turner and featuring Jennifer Dundas, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, and Kali Rocha. This production was moved to the Roundabout Theatre Company for an Off-Broadway run. It ran February 14 to April 20, 2008 with Jessica Stone replacing Rocha as Chick. Historical casting Film adaptation The 1986 film adaptation was directed by Bruce Beresford. It garnered an Academy Award nomination. Beth Henley was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, Jessica Lange starred as Meg, Diane Keaton as Lenny, and Sissy Spacek as Babe. Critical response Charles Isherwood, in his review of the 2008 revival for The New York Times called the production "a touching revival", and wrote: "Was another romp through Ms.