Shady Hill Kidnapping, The

In John Cheever's finely-crafted comedy of errors, the life of upper-middle-class suburbanites is portrayed with humor and poignancy. This play revolves around the alleged abduction of young Toby Wooster, apparently taken from his grandparents' house, an event that jolts the complacent and well-fed suburb of Shady Hill into surprising action. A fake kidnappers' note, a community fundraising campaign to raise the ransom money, a police stakeout at the railroad station, and George Wooster's reluctant decision to build the town's 34th kidney-shaped swimming pool are some of the outlandish events found in this "hilarious and touching satire." (Time Magazine)

"A hilarious and touching satire." - Time Magazine

1983, Comedy, 55 minutes, Color

Cast: George Grizzard, Polly Holliday, Celeste Holm


Written by: John Cheever

Music by: Jonathan Tunick

Directed by: Paul Bogart


Produced by: Ann Blumenthal

Executive Producer: Jac Venza


A presentation of Thirteen/WNET New York, American Playhouse 1982


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