Slogging along on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in his early years, the man born Nathan Brinbaum was looking for the key to stardom. He found the missing link in a young, pretty dancer named Gracie Allen. Gracie was every bit his match: charming and smart, with a natural sense for comedy. Their marriage was lived on stage, and most famously, on radio. For eighteen years, Burns and Allen were radio’s comic relief couple, soothing the souls of Depression and war-weary Americans.

Now, a touring play titled “Say Goodnight Gracie: The Life, Laughter and Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen” is bringing back to life the couple’s radio brilliance. Singer, comedian and master impressionist, Frank Gorshin, plays the role of George Burns. The author of the play is composer and five-time Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes.

Click the “Listen” link to hear Frank Gorshin and Rupert Holmes talk about the new play “Say Goodnight Gracie.”

Guests:

Frank Gorshin, singer, comedian, motion picture and television star and master impressionist, had starring roles in Batman (as the Riddler), The Great Imposter (with Tony Curtis, 1961), Twelve Monkeys (1995), Currently reprising his Broadway role as George Burns in the play “Say Goodnight Gracie: The Life, Laughter and Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen”

Rupert Holmes, recording artist, compser and playwright and writer, Five-time TONY Award winner and Emmy-Award winner, his latest play is “Say Goodnight Gracie: The Life, Laughter and Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen”