Luck, Pluck & Virtue

Written & Directed by James Lapine

Inspired by A Cool Million, Nathanael West’s cynical novel parodying Horatio Alger, Luck, Pluck & Virtue centers nice, naive Lester as he embarks on a Candide-like, disillusioning odyssey that takes him to New York, then to California. And all along the way, he’s victimized and humiliated.

Luck, Pluck & Virtue

Mandell Weiss Theatre at LaJolla Playhouse
July 27, 1993 - August 29, 1993

  • James Lapine, Playwright

    James Lapine, Director

    La Jolla Playhouse, Producer

    Adrianne Lobel, Set Designer

    Martin Pakledinaz, Costume Designer

    Chris Perry, Lighting Designer

    Allen Shawn, Music Designer

    Michael Roth, Sound Designer

  • Neil Patrick Harris: Lester Price

    Ming-Na Wen: Betty Ferris

    George Coe: Nathan Whipple

    Marge Redmond: Mother

    David Barrera: Ensemble

    P.J. Brown: Ensemble

    Adrianne Krstansky: Ensemble

    Meg MacCary: Ensemble

    Dan Moran: Ensemble

Luck, Pluck & Virtue

Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company
March 18, 1995 - April 9, 1995

  • James Lapine, Book

    James Lapine, Director

    Atlantic Theater Company, Producer

    Neil Pepe, Artistic Director

    Joshua Lerner, Managing Director

    Ellen Fitzhugh, Lyricist

    Allen Shawn, Composer

    B.H. Barry, Fight Director/Coordinator

    Derek McLane, Set Designer

    Laura Cunningham, Costume Designer

    Donald Holder, Lighting Designer

    David Topchik, General Manager

    Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Press Representative

    Kelley Kirkpatrick, Production Stage Manager

  • Stephen Lee Anderson: Rev Shaye

    Chris Bauer: Kaplan

    Elaina Davis: Betty Ferris

    MacIntyre Dixon: Nathan Whipple

    Siobhan Fallon: Vendor

    Steven Goldstein: Hoffman

    Neil Patrick Harris: Lester Price

    Adrianne Krstansky: Show Girl

    Geoffrey Owens: Wellington

    Marge Redmond: Mother