Ed Graczyk is probably best known as the author of Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. The play was produced on Broadway in 1982, directed by Robert Altman with a cast that included Sandy Dennis, Cher, Karen Black and Kathy Bates. It has been translated into eight languages, is published by Samuel French and has received over 1,000 productions throughout the world. A successful film with the same cast and director was awarded the Grand Prize at the Chicago International Film Festival and appeared on many year-end Best Film lists. Mr. Graczyk also received the Best Screenplay Award at the Belgium International Film Festival.
His play Hometown Heroes was awarded the Rosenthal New Play Prize presented by the Cincinnati Playhouse, and was produced there with Ralph Waite and M. Emmett Walsh. His other works for the stage include A Murder of Crows, A Penny Friend (book and lyrics) – both published by Samuel French, A Country Christmas Carol, Weeds and The Blue Moon Dancing. He is also an award-winning author of twelve classic plays for young people.
When a group of fans called the “Disciples of James Dean” gather for their 20th reunion in a small-town dime store in West Texas, congenial reminiscences, mingled with flashbacks, lead to passionate confrontations.
