Terrence McNally Marks 25th Broadway Production With Frankie and Johnny

With the recent first preview of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon, at the Broadhurst Theatre, the playwright has marked his 25th career Broadway production.

To mark the occasion, McNally was joined in the audience by longtime collaborators like Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and David Yazbek, as well as Anastasia stars Christy Altomare and Mary Beth Peil; Tony nominees Heidi Schreck and Taylor Mac; and many others.

The production stars six-time Tony winner McDonald and Tony and Academy Award nominee Shannon, with direction by Arin Arbus. The two-character play offers a "portrait of a lonely waitress and a short order cook whose first date turns into a one-night stand — and maybe more." The play first ran off-Broadway from 1987-89, and came to Broadway in 2002 in a production that starred Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci. It was also turned into a feature film in 1991.

The creative team includes Riccardo Hernández (sets), Emily Rebholz (costumes), Natasha Katz (lighting), Nevin Steinberg (sound), J. Jared Janas (hair, wig, and makeup), and Claire Warden (intimacy and fight director).

Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune opens officially on Thursday, May 30, and will have a strictly limited 16-week engagement concluding on Sunday, August 25. McNally will receive the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre during the 73rd Annual Tony Awards, hosted by James Corden on Sunday, June 9.