The Devils by John Whiting

So I watched the 1971 film last night and WOW was it fantastic. Possibly the best horror film I've ever seen. I did some reading and found out it was based on a play from 1961 that was in turn based on a novel. I plan on reading the novel soon, but I was wondering if anybody had seen the Broadway production of the play or any subsequent revivals. Was it any good and did it have the bizarre and ferocious power of the movie or was it more toned down?

Didn't see the play but I remember when it ran. It is the only play I can think of that played the Broadway Theatre because the show has a huge cast--as big as a musical. It starred Jason Robards and Anne Bancroft and got a very mixed reception. It ran all of about 6 weeks plus some previews. I can't remember if it went on a pre-Broadway tryout or not.

But, a here is the trivia aspect; Bancroft started missing performances fairly soon as was her wont in her later Broadway appearances. Her understudy/standby got a lot of attention both from a critical standpoint and a press mention standpoint.The understudy went on a lot, especially for a 6 week run. Her name was Zoe Caldwell. Yes, the Zoe Caldwell.

Immediately after The Devils closed, Caldwell was cast in a featured role in Slapstick Tragedy by Tennessee Williams which opened at the end of February and ran 7 performances. Caldwell got uniformly great notices and at the end of the season won a Tony.

The next season she starred in Jean Brodie, won another Tony, and the rest is history.

Ain't that sweet?