The Wikipedia description of Dennis’ acting style best captures what it was that made her such an original: “Dennis was often described as neurotic and mannered in her performances; her signature style included running words together and oddly stopping and starting sentences, suddenly going up and down octaves as she spoke, and fluttering her hands.” Her style was unlike anyone else, and she created some amazing characters, such as Mona in the play and the film Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.
Dennis first appeared at the Historic Elitch Theatre in 1974’s Born Yesterday, and then again in 1982 in the play The Supporting Cast.
Dennis’ Bio from the 1982 program for the play, Supporting Cast, at Historic Elitch Theatre:
SANDY DENNIS (Sally) has received two Tony Awards – Best Supporting Actress in A Thousand Clowns with Jason Robards, and Best Actress in Any Wednesday. She made her Broadway debut in the revival of Ibsen’s Lady From the Sea, and then had an understudy assignment in Williams Inge’s The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. She later took over the role and played it on tour. She played the ingenue role in Graham Greene’s The Complaisant Lover, co-starred with Phil Silvers in Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves, and was in Absurd Person Singular with Geraldine Page and Richard Kiley. Other Broadway credits include Face of a Hero with Jack Lemmon, Daphne in Cottage D, and Let Me Hear You Smile.
Ms. Dennis’ films include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, for which she received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress as Honey, Up the Down Staircase, Sweet November, The Fox, The Out of Towners, Thank You All Very Much, Splendor in the Grass, and Nasty Habits with Glenda Jackson, Geraldine Page, Anne Jackson, Melina Mercuri, and Anne Meara.
For television, Ms. Dennis appeared in The Perfect Gentleman with Lauren Bacall and Ruth Gordon, and made Wilson’s Reward with Gerald O’Laughlin. She was seen in Four Seasons, directed by Alan Alda, starring Carol Burnett and Alan Alda. She starred on Broadway in The Supporting Cast, directed by Gene Saks. She recently starred on Broadway in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, which has been filmed for cable TV.
[1982 program for the play, Supporting Cast, at Historic Elitch Theatre]
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1974
- 1982
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
- 1974 – Born Yesterday –
- 1982 – The Supporting Cast – Sally
Other Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- Mona in the play and the film Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, with Cher!
Elitch Theatre Connections:
Wikipedia Link:
