PUTTING LIFE INTO "GEORGE IS DEAD"
Don Murray looks just as lean and lanky now as he did playing opposite Marilyn Monroe in "Bus Stop." He received an Academy Award nomination for that performance.

Sitting in his dressing room downtown at the Temple of Music and Art, less than an hour before the last dress rehearsal for "George Is Dead" by the Arizona Theatre Company, Murray's face lights up when he starts talking about his new role.

"Being in a play is not like being in a movie. In a play you have a chance to develop the role, to form the character of the person," Murray explained, his voice warm and informal.

"This is one of the joys of doing theater. The actor has so much more influence over the growth of the role in rehearsal, during discussions between the actor and the director."

Elaine May is the playwright, and director of this production. Murray says she is hoping to get the play to New York. ATC is doing its part giving "George" a stage to boost it forward toward the Great White Way.

May's successful screenplays include "Heaven Can Wait," "Primary Colors" and "The Birdcage." Murray's Broadway resume includes roles in "The Rose Tattoo," "Smith," "Same Time, Next Year;" "The Norman Conquests" and "The Skin of Our Teeth."

He was also an early recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has appeared in many films, including "The Bachelor Party," "A Hatful of Rain," "Shake Hands with the Devil," "Advise and Consent," "The Hoodlum Priest" and "Peggy Sue Got Married."

As for "George Is Dead," the play is evolving as a work in progress. Murray says the whole first scene in this production was not in the original version. Discovering which lines get the most audience response will be an important part of the show's run, both in Tucson and Phoenix.

"We're just going to play it honestly, to find out where the laughs are," Murray notes with a smile, adding that May has been working on this show for a long while. "I think Alan Alda had my part in the first workshop production."

"The play is very funny, but is also very human. Elaine May brings two completely different points of view togther.

"I'm the old-syle Republican who gets very emotional when he talks about Ronald Regan. The liberal is a  younger man, a school teacher.

"Marlo Thomas is the one who gets my world together with his world."

Thomas is a long-time friend of May, invited by the playwright to help nurture the show along. Thomas plays George's wife.

Murray appreciates how May the paywright (and a comedian herself) uses humor to bring these opposing views together. She doesn't want a soapbox to pitch a specific point of view.

"The play has insights to make you realize the salubrious nature of tolerance," Murray added, believing that, in our politically polarized society, this play could definitely be a healing experience.

In that context, the title "George Is Dead" might not refer to George's final condition. Instead of death it could mean metaphorically the old blue blood conservative is gone and the new George is a more accepting, welcoming person.

I'm liking it better already.

"George Is Dead" continues  at various times Tuesdays through Sundays to Nov. 7. All performances are in the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets are $26-$54. For details and reservations, 622-2823, or visit www.aztheatreco.org