I'm Not Rappaport

Infobox Play
name = I'm Not Rappaport


image_size =
caption =
writer = Herb Gardner
characters = Nat
Midge
Gilley
Danforth
Laurie
Clara
The Cowboy
setting = A park bench in Central Park; October 1982
premiere = 1984
place = Seattle Repertory Theatre
Seattle, Washington
orig_lang = English
subject =
genre = Comedy
web =
playbill =
ibdb_id = 4623

"I'm Not Rappaport" is a play by Herb Gardner originally staged by Seattle Repertory Theatre in 1984. Its Broadway debut production, directed by Daniel Sullivan, starring Judd Hirsch, Cleavon Little, Jace Alexander, and Mercedes Ruehl, opened on November 19, 1985 at the Booth Theatre, where it ran for 891 performances. The production received Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Lighting design, and for Hirsch's performance, Best Actor.

In 2002 after fifteen previews, a revival re-opened at the Booth on 25 July, where it ran for an additional 53 performances. Again directed by Sullivan, Hirsch reprised his role and was joined by Ben Vereen.

Plot synopsis

Inspired by two elderly men Gardner met in New York City's Central Park, the play focuses on Nat Moyer, a cantankerous Jew, and Midge Carter, a feisty African-American, who spend their days sitting on a bench. The both mask the realities of aging, sharing tall tales that Nat spins. The play touches on several issues, including society’s treatment of the aging, the difficulties dealing with adult children who think they know what's best for their parents, and the dangers that lurk in urban areas.

Its title comes from an old vaudeville joke, a variation of which evolved into dialogue between the two protagonists:

*Nat: Hey, Rappaport! I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been?
*Midge: I'm not Rappaport.
*Nat: Rappaport, what happened to you? You used to be a short fat guy, and now you're a tall skinny guy.
*Midge: I'm not Rappaport.
*Nat: Rappaport, you used to be a young guy with a beard, and now you're an old guy with a mustache.
*Midge: I'm not Rappaport.
*Nat: Rappaport, how has this happened? You used to be a cowardly little white guy, and now you're a big imposing black guy.
*Midge: I'm not Rappaport.
*Nat: And you changed your name, too!

Film adaptation

The 1996 film version, written and directed by Gardner, starred Walter Matthau, Ossie Davis, Amy Irving, Craig T. Nelson, Martha Plimpton, Peter Friedman, and Ron Rifkin.

Awards and nominations

;Awards
* Tony Award for Best Play

References

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External links

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