Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Cakewalk  By  cover art

Cakewalk

By: Peter Feibleman, Carly Simon
Narrated by: Samantha Bennett, Bruce Davison, Claudette Nevins, Raphael Sbarge, Elaine Stritch
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $5.42

Buy for $5.42

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial reviews

The memory play has grown into a full-blown genre, in which a character addresses the audience directly between scenes of his or her remembrances. On stage such fare yields problematic results because the present tense of live performance often collides with the past tense of memory. On the other hand, in audio, it combines the feel of theater with storytelling. In this instance, novelist Feibleman recalls his affair with his mentor, the late Lillian Hellman, the hard-living playwright and activist, a quarter-century older than he. The formidable Hellman is portrayed by the formidable Elaine Stritch, and her narrating protégé by Bruce Davison. Though under-rehearsed, these fine performers, as well as the subject matter, provide fascinating listening, loaded with wit and true-life drama.

Publisher's summary

Broadway legend Elaine Stritch stars as author Lillian Hellman in Peter Feibleman’s beguiling account of Hellman’s tumultuous relationship across several decades with a man 25 years her junior, played by Oscar nominee Bruce Davison.

Accompanied by the original music of Carly Simon. Includes a conversation with Hellman scholar Deborah Martinson, author of Lillian Hellman: A Life with Foxes and Scoundrels.

Recorded before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles in February 2000.

Directed by Rosalind Ayres

Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg

Samantha Bennett as Esther Bruce

Bruce Davison as Cuff

Claudette Nevins as Women’s Voices

Raphael Sbarge as Men’s Voices

Elaine Stritch as Lilly

Radio Producer: Raymond Guarna

Foley Artist/Stage Manager: John Lovick

©2009 L.A. Theatre Works (P)2009 L.A. Theatre Works

What listeners say about Cakewalk

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    23
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    19
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story and great performances!

What a treat to have this recording of a great play and marvelous performances by Elaine Stritch and Bruce Davison! Both brought the characters to life in such vivid portrayals. I laughed and cried. If only I could have experienced it in person! Highly recommended if you are a fan of Elaine Stritch!!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

Great writing, acting and direction. Outstanding production. One of the best I’ve heard on LATW.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Found my self laughing out loud several times at Lillie's character. What a broad, you wish you could know someone like that in your life, course she played scrabble like my mother, would kick your butt every time without trying. Character's were exceptional.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Inteesting, good performances.

loved the music!!! why must this be 15 words?
the music was really good carly Simon is the best

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stritch!

wonderful and very moving performances by Ms. Stritch and Mr. Davidson! Hellman has always been a favorite writer of mine and this is a deeply personal portrait of a very interesting and complex woman.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!