- Hot L Baltimore
"Hot L Baltimore" is a play by
Lanford Wilson .Set in the lobby of the Hotel Baltimore, it focuses on the residents of the decaying property, who are faced with
eviction when the structure is condemned. The play draws its title from the hotel's exterior neon sign, the burned-out letter "E" of which was never replaced.The
off-Broadway Circle Repertory Company 's production, directed byMarshall W. Mason , opened onMarch 22 ,1973 , at Circle in the Square Downtown, where it ran for 1666 performances. The cast includedConchata Ferrell ,Judd Hirsch , andJonathan Hogan . It won theNew York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play of 1972–73, the John Gassner Playwriting Award, anObie Award , and anOuter Critics Circle Award .In 1975, producer
Norman Lear adapted the play for a half-hour ABC sitcom. The cast included Ferrell,James Cromwell ,Richard Masur ,Al Freeman Jr. ,Gloria LeRoy ,Jeannie Linero , andCharlotte Rae . The series had several controversial elements, including two primary characters who wereprostitutes , one of whom anillegal immigrant , and one of the firstgay couples to be depicted on an American television series. The network supported the show and gave it a full publicity campaign, but it failed to win an audience and was canceled after thirteen episodes.In 1976, a version with the title "Hôtel Baltimore" was produced for French television. The series, which featured
Dora Doll , lasted for only a single season.External links
* [http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=show&id=3260 Lortel Archives listing]
*imdb title|072512
* [http://thattheatresite.com/library/showpages/show_590.html "Hot L Baltimore" at ThatTheatreSite] Provides character descriptions, reviews, and audition listings.
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