The Beauty Part

by S.J. Perelman

Premiering on Broadway with Bert Lahr in a multi-role "tour de farce", this picaresque comedy by S.J. Perelman follows the adventures of Lance Weatherwax, rich, young and naive who desires a career in the arts. As he falls through the rabbit hole of bohemians and dilettantes, he finds that true love, helped along by a little capitalism is the way of the world. Offering myriad opportunities for actors to clown in three or sometimes four characterizations during the evening, this fabulous farce by the author of numerous Marx Bros. films offers a brilliant kaleidescope of comic invention.

142 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1963

About the author

Sidney Joseph Perelman, almost always known as S. J. Perelman, was a Jewish-American humorist, author, and screenwriter. He is best known for his humorous short pieces written over many years for The New Yorker. He also wrote for several other magazines, as well as books, scripts, and screenplays.

Reviews

[Sketchbook · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Now look here, Octavia, I just had to give our French maid a severe dressing down," says Milo Du Plessis Weatherwax to his wife when caught in amorous gyrations with the hired help. Perelman, that most literate of American humorists, also introduces Hyacinth Beddoes Laffon, the editor of a horror-zine called "Shroud," Harry Hubris, a Hollywood producer, and Nelson Smedley, a red-baiting coot -- all in a Perelman circus about the culturati. This 1962 play, written as a series of revue sketches, starred Bert Lahr in 5 roles and has since disappeared from theatres, along with the supreme wit of its author. Perelman tickles the brain.