Show History

History

Inspiration

A Family Affair boasts an extremely credible creative team.  The book was co-written by brothers, James Goldman (Follies, The Lion in Winter) and William Goldman (Tenderloin, The Princess Bride).  James Goldman also wrote lyrics with composer, John Kander, his first ever Broadway gig.  The source material drew on no inspiration, instead capping off on the traditions of the "unconventional family" comedy.

Productions

A Family Affair was originally planned to star Gertrude Berg and be directed by Jerome Robbins.  Instead, an out-of-town tryout opened in Philadelphia with direction by Word Baker, who, at the time, had recently brought The Fantasticks to the stage.  However, everything soon fell to shambles, and Harold Prince, then only a theatre producer, was brought in to replace Baker.