About Opening Night
- Released on December 22, 1977
Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's attention. Myrtle internalizes the accident and goes on a spiritual quest, but fails to finds the answers she is after. As opening night inches closer and closer, fragile Myrtle must find a way to make the show go on.
Full Cast of Opening Night
Gena Rowlands plays Myrtle Gordon
John Cassavetes plays Maurice Aarons
Ben Gazzara plays Manny Victor
Joan Blondell plays Sarah Goode
Paul Stewart plays David Samuels
Zohra Lampert plays Dorothy Victor
Laura Johnson plays Nancy Stein
John Tuell plays Gus Simmons
Ray Powers plays Jimmy
John Finnegan plays Bobby
Louise Lewis plays Kelly (as Louise Fitch)
Fred Draper plays Leo
Katherine Cassavetes plays Vivian
Lady Rowlands plays Melva Drake
Carol Warren plays Carla
Briana Carver plays Lena
Angelo Grisanti plays Charlie Spikes
Meade Roberts plays Eddie Stein
Eleanor Zee plays Sylvia Stein
David Rowlands plays Doorman
Sharon Van Ivan plays Shirley
Jimmy Christie plays News Stand Operator
James Karen plays Bellboy
Jimmy Joyce plays Bartender
Sherry Bain plays Barmaid
Sylvia Davis Shaw plays Hotel Maid
Peter Lampert plays Maitre d'
Patrick Labyorteaux plays Child Actor Playing Vito (uncredited)
Roni-Sue Kiser plays Autograph Seeker (uncredited)
Naomi Stevens plays Crying Mourner (uncredited)
Seymour Cassel plays Self (uncredited)
Peter Falk plays Self (uncredited)
Peter Bogdanovich plays Self (uncredited)
Tyler Florence
Crew of Opening Night
Writing
Camera
Costume & Make-Up
Sound
Production
Crew
Editing
Art
Directing
- Gena Rowlands
- John Cassavetes
- Ben Gazzara
- Joan Blondell
- Paul Stewart
- Zohra Lampert
- Laura Johnson
- John Tuell
- Ray Powers
- John Finnegan
- Louise Lewis
- Fred Draper
- Katherine Cassavetes
- Lady Rowlands
- Carol Warren
- Briana Carver
- Angelo Grisanti
- Meade Roberts
- Eleanor Zee
- David Rowlands
- Sharon Van Ivan
- Jimmy Christie
- James Karen
- Jimmy Joyce
- Sherry Bain
- Sylvia Davis Shaw
- Peter Lampert
- Patrick Labyorteaux
- Roni-Sue Kiser
- Naomi Stevens
- Seymour Cassel
- Peter Falk
- Peter Bogdanovich
- Tyler Florence