CBMT Summer Staged Reading: Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune

Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune is a tender, intimate play by acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally, presented here as a Summer Staged Reading that highlights the beauty and emotional honesty of the text.

The story centers on Frankie, a waitress, and Johnny, a short-order cook, who spend a single night together after work—tentatively navigating vulnerability, loneliness, and the possibility of connection.

Stripped of full production elements, the staged reading format allows the language and performances to take center stage, drawing audiences deeply into the characters’ inner lives.

Funny, raw, and deeply human, Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune explores intimacy, fear, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you, making it a powerful and engaging theatrical experience even in its simplest form.