In her opening play as a member of the Elitch Theatre summer stock company, a young 21-year old Grace Kelly earned a mention in the Denver Post review: “Grace Kelly has the brightest role in the play. Her handling of it was impressive… Her winning freshness and clear enunciation made a definite impression.”
On August 10, 1951, while at the theatre, Ms. Kelly received a telegram from Hollywood offering her the role of Gary Cooper’s wife in the (future) Academy Award-winning film, High Noon, and she was to report to the studio on August 28th to begin filming. Concerned that she would have to turn down the role because her contract with Elitch Theatre obligated her to stay until September 3rd, leading man Whitfield Connor reminded her that she could give two-weeks notice to get out of her contract. She gave her notice, headed to Hollywood…and the rest is history!
In 1955, Kelly attended the Cannes Film Festival and met Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Over the next year the two would pursue a courtship and in January of 1956 they became engaged. Three and a half months later, in 1956, they had their civil ceremony — at which point Kelly assumed the title, Her Serene Highness, Princess Gracia Patricia of Monaco — and the following day they had their religious ceremony.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1951
Productions/Roles at Elitch:
- June 24 – 30, 1951, For Love or Money, by F. Hugh Herbert
- July I – 7, 195I, Legend of Sarah, by James Gow and Arnaud d’Usseau
- July 8 – 14, 1951, Detective Story, Sidney Kingsley – author
- July 15-21, 1951, Man Who Came to Dinner, Moss Han and George S. Kaufman
-authors. - July 22 – 28, 1951, The High Ground, Charlotte Hastings – author.
- July 29 -August 4, 1951, The Cocktail Party, T.S. Eliot – author.
- August 5 – 11, 1951, 0 Mistress Mine, Terence Rattigan – author.
- August 12 – 18, I951, Ring Round the Moon, adapted from Jean Anouilh’s
L’invitation au Choteau.
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- She received an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards and was ranked 13th on the American Film Institute’s 25 Greatest Female Stars list.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- In the 1954 film, Dial M for Murder, Kelly appeared opposite Elitch alum Robert Cummings.
- Kelly appeared in the 1954 film, Rear Window, with Elitch alum Raymond Burr.
Wikipedia Link:
