Opening Night (1977)

7.9PG-13144 minDirector: John Cassavetes

1977 film by John Cassavetes

Opening Night is a 1977 American psychological drama film written and directed by John Cassavetes, and starring Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Joan Blondell, Paul Stewart, Zohra Lampert, and Cassavetes. Its plot follows a stage actress who, after witnessing the accidental death of a fan, struggles through a nervous breakdown while she prepares for an upcoming Broadway premiere.

Though set in Connecticut and New York City, Opening Night was shot on location in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California, with the theatrical performance sequences taking place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Opening Night about?
Opening Night (1977) — A young woman gets killed in an accident trying to meet her favorite actress Myrtle Gordon after a play. Then Myrtle Gordon felt responsible for the killing leading her down to an emotional crisis that interferes with her professional work as an actress.
Is Opening Night based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Opening Night scary?
Content rating: PG-13. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.