Entertainment Industry Giant Norman Lear Meets Cast of Cold Turkey

Legendary producer, director, and writer Norman Lear attended the Department of Theatre and Dance’s workshop presentation of Cold Turkey, a new musical with music and lyrics by Rich Gray directed by Andrew Russell. Based on the 1971 movie with the same name, Cold Turkey was originally written and directed by Lear and starred Dick Van Dyke.

Lear revolutionized American television with hit shows such as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude, making topical subjects like racism and sexism the inspiration for hilarious and popular satirical comedy. Winner of four Emmy’s and nominated for an Academy Award, Lear received the National Medal of the Arts from President Bill Clinton in 1999 and was honored in 2017 by the Kennedy Center.

Lear, along with his daughter Kate, attended a matinee performance of Cold Turkey, featuring BFA Musical Theatre students. After the performance, they both met with students and shared their enthusiasm for the stellar performances.  Writer and Director Andrew Russell said “Norman expressed to the cast how proud he was of them all, and how great it was to see this story sing after almost 50 years.”