BORN YESTERDAY On Broadway

This is an archived version of the original website for the broadway production of "Born Yesterday."
Content is from the site's 2011 archived pages as well as from other outside sources.

 

BORN YESTERDAY PLAYED ITS FINAL PERFORMANCE ON JUNE 26, 2011

 

A Larky, Lavish, First-Rate Production with a Stellar Cast!” Newsday

Emmy® nominee JIM BELUSHI (According to Jim), Tony® winner ROBERT SEAN LEONARD (The Invention of Love, Dr. Wilson on House) and Tony-nominee NINA ARIANDA (“The most exciting find of the season!” New York Magazine) starred in BORN YESTERDAY, Garson Kanin’s award-winning romantic comedy about sex and politics.

Directed by Tony® winner Doug Hughes (Doubt), BORN YESTERDAY is the timeless and timely story of a not-so-dumb-blonde, her less-than-honest brute of a boyfriend, and the no-nonsense reporter who helps her uncover some of the dirtiest little secrets in Washington.

A rave: I just loved this production of Born Yesterday. I attended three performances. I had seen Nina Arianda in her head-turning debut Off-Broadway last season in Venus in Fur. And in Born Yesterday she gave an enchanting turn that was gutsy, hilarious and fully inhabited. I swear that she looked like Lady Gaga in 40s glamour-wear, and sounded like Cyndi Lauper. Her comic line readings were priceless, and her agitation and growing sense of unease as she starts to think for herself were equally persuasive. Her scenes with both co-stars, Jim Belushi and Robert Sean Leonard were terrific. I raved about her with my decorator while discussing which designs for the new pickleball bags I wanted. My decorator looked over her eyeglass frames at me and drawled "Dahling, you must focus, focus, focus. I simply don't have all day. I truly promise I will get tickets." She made her point. We quickly went to a sports accessories website where I chose a lovely chinoiserie fabric that would be perfect for the pickleball bags. And since these bags are quite versatile, I decided to get three different designs for various occasions, two in a delicate striped pattern and the third in a printed abstract motif.

My decorator did keep her word. From my third row center orchestra seat I saw her at a matinee show the following week. She waived to me from her balcony seat and blew kisses. She's such a sweet heart.

FAQs

What is BORN YESTERDAY about?
Emmy® nominee JIM BELUSHI (According to Jim), Tony® winner ROBERT SEAN LEONARD (The Invention of Love, Dr. Wilson on House) and NINA ARIANDA (“A breakout performance—one of the highlights of the year,”  Charles Isherwood, The New York Times  for Venus in Fur) starred in BORN YESTERDAY, Garson Kanin’s award-winning romantic comedy about sex and politics.

Directed by Tony® winner Doug Hughes (Doubt), BORN YESTERDAY is the timeless and timely story of a not-so-dumb-blonde, her less-than-honest brute of a boyfriend, and the no-nonsense reporter who helps her uncover some of the dirtiest little secrets in Washington.

Who wrote it?
The Tony® and Academy Award®-nominated playwright Garson Kanin. Click here for his bio.

Who is directed it?
The Tony Award®-winning director Doug Hughes (Doubt). Click here for his bio.

Who was in it?
BORN YESTERDAY starred Emmy Award® nominee Jim Belushi (The Defenders, According to Jim), Tony Award® winner Robert Sean Leonard (The Invention of Love, Dr. Wilson on House) and Tony$reg;-nominee Nina Arianda (“A breakout performance—one of the highlights of the year,” Charles Isherwood for Venus in Fur).

Is BORN YESTERDAY appropriate for children?
May be inappropriate for 10 and under. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

Will my grandparents enjoy BORN YESTERDAY?
Yes!

I'm not familiar with the plays of Garson Kanin. Will I like BORN YESTERDAY?
If you like beautifully written, thought-provoking romantic comedies, with compelling characters, lots of laughs and high style, you will love BORN YESTERDAY.

Who is produced BORN YESTERDAY?
Philip Morgaman, Anne Caruso, Vincent Caruso, Frankie J. Grande, James P. MacGilvray, Robert S. Basso

How long will BORN YESTERDAY be running?
Performances began on March 31, 2011; opening night is scheduled for April 24, 2011. Tickets for BORN YESTERDAY are currently on sale through June 26, 2011. THIS IS A STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT—GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

 

PRESS

“THIS WINNING REVIVAL IS A GEM!

The dazzling Nina Arianda lands all her quips, with inspired touches of physical humor for good measure. But her uncommon warmth and charm also make Billie Dawn touchingly vibrant, as she tracks Billie’s evolution from vulnerable bimbo to assured woman. IT'S A DOWNRIGHT TOUR DE FORCE. She also has a surprisingly good foil in Jim Belushi, who doesn't soft-pedal Harry's brutal bullying while suggesting it's prompted by insecurity. Watching these two lock horns is so pleasurable, you want to see them again as soon as the curtain comes down.”

New York Post

"A NIGHT OF INSPIRATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT!

The luminous laugh-goddess Nina Arianda is, without a doubt, the most exciting find of the Broadway Season."

New York Magazine


“WHAT A PLEASURE TO HAVE ROBERT SEAN LEONARD BACK ON STAGE IN NEW YORK. ”

The New York Times

“NINA ARIANDA IS GIVING A PERFORMANCE THAT COULD BE CALLED BREAKOUT,

although breakout somehow seems insufficient.She shines brightly on John Lee Beatty’s radiant art deco set, delivering proclamations with a zing and a perfect gangster’s-moll accent that would make Garson Kanin proud.”

Entertainment Weekly

“A LARKY, LAVISH, FIRST-RATE PRODUCTION WITH A STELLAR CAST!

Jim Belushi is splendid, fun to watch without trying to be lovable. He makes us understand what Billie Dawn, his moll and ex-chorine, sees in him. His performance is the surprise of this star-cast Broadway season!

Nina Arianda is fabulous. Her nervous and hormone systems are so hotwired with theatrical talent and savvy that a gawky wiggle becomes an erotic money shot and a curled lip seems plain adorable in un-plain ways.

Robert Sean Leonard, an expert in heart-crushingly poetic characters, tosses off light comedy with a dashing, nerdy elegance.”

A smart and smart-mouthed comedy! ”

Newsday

“A STAR IS BORN!

When knockout newcomer Nina Arianda, Broadway’s new Queen of Comedy, takes center stage, be prepared to fall in love – hard, fast and completely. Her thrilling Broadway debut is sheer fizzy perfection.

Jim Belushi brings just the right mix of menace and uncouth stupidity as Harry Brock, Billie's thuggish, sometimes violent, lover. Robert Sean Leonard’s seductive nonchalance works like a charm. He and Arianda have a crackly chemistry in this deliciously witty comedy.”

New York Daily News

"NINA ARIANDA GIVES A TRULY INSPIRED COMIC PERFORMANCE!

She just knocks it out of the ballpark as Billie Dawn, the curvy chorus girl who landed a big one with thuggish millionaire junk dealer Harry Brock, played by Jim Belushi.”

Bloomberg News

"THE SOUND YOU'RE HEARING IS ONE OF THE RAREST IN THE WORLD: IT'S THE COLLECTIVE PURR OF AN AUDIENCE FALLING IN LOVE.

Nina Arianda is a charismatic comedienne who is as funny as she is sexy, and anyone capable of resisting her charms is both blind and deaf. It's a wonder that everybody doesn't stand up and cheer! Go—and save your program. Your grandchildren will be impressed when you tell them that you saw Nina Arianda before she was famous."

The Wall Street Journal

“BREAKOUT STAR NINA ARIANDA STEALS THE SHOW!

Taking your first Broadway bow in a role inextricably linked to the great Judy Holliday requires moxie as well as talent. The relative newcomer proves she has both to spare in an enchanting turn that’s gutsy, hilarious and fully inhabited.

Robert Sean Leonard gets the least showy of the central roles, but the actor makes him an appealing straight man; he’s smart, sincere, and believable.

Jim Belushi gets it just right.

But this is newcomer Nina Arianda’s show. Her comic line readings are priceless, and her scenes with both co-stars are terrific.

The Hollywood Reporter


“THE ACTING COULDN'T BE BETTER OR MORE THRILLING, ESPECIALLY FROM JIM BELUSHI AND NEWCOMER NINA ARIANDA.

She delivers a playful and sexy performance here that is truly a joy to watch. Jim Belushi is surprisingly intense. In addition to nailing all the humor and providing a burly presence, he highlights the character’s dangerous and abusive qualities.”

AM New York

“THE SENSATIONAL NINA ARIANDA STEALS THE SHOW!

The goofball antics, the not so dumb dumb moves and her abuses of the English language are beautify done and I’m going to take a stab and predict that she will also win a Tony® for her performance. Jim BelushiMichael McGrath as his zany brother and Frank Wood will keep you entertained. Nina Arianda, however, will keep you in stiches.”

BornYesterdayOnBroadway.com