It could easily be argued that THE COUNTRY GIRL, the Clifford Odets drama that is being revived on Broadway, is today remembered (if at all) for one thing only: the fact that Grace Kelly received an Oscar for the film version, beating out Judy Garland’s legendary performance in A STAR IS BORN.

The film was a box office hit and received widespread acclaim upon its release, but it’s not widely seen today. The original 1950 Broadway production was a modest hit, running 236 performances and featuring a Tony-winning turn from the wonderful Uta Hagen. A 1972 Broadway revival with Maureen Stapleton, Jason Robards and George Grizzard did less well, running but 62 performances.

Odets has not been in fashion for a while, but he does have his adherents and is certainly capable of writing gripping scenes and characters with meat on them. As this is one of his lesser known works, perhaps the critics will find it a somewhat overlooked gem.

It features some high-powered talent in stars Morgan Freeman, Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher and director Mike Nichols. And dealing, as it does, with a down-on-his luck alcoholic actor and his unhappy wife, and the actor’s chance at a career-saving role, it’s dealing with a world with which all these talents have had experience.

THE COUNTRY GIRL opens April 27 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

See www.thecountrygirlonbroadway.com for more information.