Jennifer Jason Leigh in Picnic: video

Showtime filmed this regional/touring production of Picnic in the 1980s. I think it's largely very strong, and certainly does the great play better than the overblown film Logan directed (which still has things to recommend it.)

I wish someone would track down a copy of the Margot Kidder Bus Stop Showtime also aired, according to a friend with the original Aronson set.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1DuiV_cl7A

My pleasure! I have an issue with some of the scene transitions, but otherwise I think it's pretty great--I wish it were on DVD.

I saw this show at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles. It was a fantastic production, and I was surprised it didn't transfer to Broadway.

By the way, Dana Hill stole the production away from all the other heavy hitters in the cast. Her Millie was definitive, and the standing ovation and response from the audience when she came out for her bow at the end confirmed my impression.

Her life ended too soon, but I'm grateful for having seen her in this play. I'll never forget it.

P.S. --- everybody else was excellent, too! But she was unforgettable.

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I remember the production of Bus Stop with Margot Kidder, which I liked very much. Others I remember being aired around the same time were Dracula and Barefoot in the Park. Only one I was able to find was Barefoot with Richard Thomas and Bess Armstrong. Loved this...

Barefoot in the Park

You know what's interesting, skimming through that Picnic video, is how different the acting seems.

I saw it from the balcony at the Ahmanson. The standout for me (as I said) among many standouts was Dana Hill. I didn't add that the one weak link for me was Jennifer Jason Leigh. She seemed very disconnected and almost too subtle. Like she wasn't doing much of anything.

Watching sections of it just now on that video, it's entirely different. Dana Hill seems a bit overblown (which she didn't on stage), and Jennifer seems great. A very nice acting job. What was subtle and toned down (almost nonexistent) from the balcony is easily read by the camera in closeups and medium shots. Her performance works better on the video, and Dana's worked better (by far) in the theatre.

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^AC126748 I remember a very good production of House of Blue Leaves on Showtime, as well. The only cast member I remember was John Mahoney.

I had forgotten about another one, too. Something's Afoot with Jean Stapleton and Andy Gibb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSBgYdCbcUA

It is worth hunting down. I assumed it was filmed for PBS/American Playhouse--my copy has a PBS screen logo.

You mean American Playhouse right? :P GP is still around...

I have Lemon Sky on DVD. Fifth of July (which I also have) and some of the others were released by the Broadway Archives label but for some reason Lemon Sky is a different commercial release (maybe trying to sell the adaptation off of Kevin Bacon's name.)

(Amazon has Lemon Sky for 5 bucks http://www.amazon.com/Lemon-Sky-Kevin-Bacon/dp/B0001US7YA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394411659&sr=8-1&keywords=lemon+sky)

Yes! Swoozie Kurtz was in the production I saw. It could have very well be shown on PBS. I just remember watching it around the same time I saw the Broawdway shows that were aired on Showtime. I really wish we could see more of these productions. It is difficult for many to get to NYC to see these wonderful shows. If they would only video them when they were closing. So sad that so many great performances are lost forever.