The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial is Judson Theatre Company’s first military play—we’ve long wanted to do one, we keep a spreadsheet of them, and JTC is now prepared to meet the unique challenges of doing one well. What’s interesting is that the piece keeps coming back in American and world culture: this Herman Wouk classic has had at least one major iteration in every generation:
1951 – the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, at the time, the biggest bestseller since Gone With the Wind, spending 122 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, with 33 weeks at #1
Flyer for Broadway production, this theatre is now named the Schoenfeld Theatre.
1953 – the play opens in LA and tours, and then debuts on Broadway in 1954…months before the release of the Columbia film version of the novel. The play is an immediate hit, running a year (415 performances). Starring Henry Fonda, Lloyd Nolan, and John Hodiak, and directed by Charles Laughton on Broadway, the play continued to tour in 1955 with other stars including Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey, and Barry Sullivan.
Poster from 1954 film version of the novel.
1954 – the first film version of the story (a film version of the novel) starring Humphrey Bogart (Oscar nominated for his performance as Queeg), Jose Ferrer, Van Johnson, and Fred MacMurray
1955 – the Ford Star Jubilee television spectacular presentation of the play, with members of the cast of the first Broadway production: Lloyd Nolan won an Emmy for reprising his Broadway performance as Queeg.
1956 – Lloyd Nolan directed and starred in the original London production
1959 – Australian tv version
Joe Namath and Michael Moriarty in the 1983 Broadway revival.
1983 – the first Broadway revival, at Circle in the Square ran from May-November, starring John Rubinstein and Michael Moriarty. Later in the run, Joe Namath played Maryk (his only Broadway credit).
London revival window card.
1984 – Charlton Heston directed and starred in a production that played Los Angeles, London, and the Kennedy Center.
Advertisement for Robert Altman made-for-tv film of the play.
1988 – the Robert Altman made-for-tv version, starring Eric Bogosian, Jeff Daniels, Brad Davis, and Peter Gallagher
2nd Playbill cover of the 2006 Broadway revival.
2006 – the second Broadway revival, starring David Schwimmer and Tim Daly and directed by Jerry Zaks
Advertisement and key art for 2023 David Friedkin film version of the play
2023 – the David Friedkin film version of the play (his final film) starring Kiefer Sutherland and Lance Reddick, which moves the time period to post-9/11
Join us at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium in Pinehurst, NC to see this classic military play brought to life!
