The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden

The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden is a one act play by American novelist and playwright Thornton Wilder written in 1931.[1] It opened on Broadway at the Cort Theatre on March 16, 1948, in a production starring Peggy Allenby as Ma Kirby and Don MacLaughlin as Elmer.[3] Almost the entire play takes place during an automobile journey from Newark to Camden, New Jersey by a family on their way to visit a married daughter, who has recently lost a baby in childbirth.Very little happens, but the father, mother, and children reminisce, joke, and sightsee and somehow, in classic Thornton Wilder fashion, capture something of the universal joy and sadness of life as they motor along."[4] In his "Notes to the Producer" written in 1931, Wilder stated that: It should constantly be borne in mind that the purpose of this play is the portrayal of the character of Ma Kirby ... the director should constantly keep in mind that Ma Kirby's humor, strength and humanity constitute the unifying element throughout.
Shimer CollegeThornton WilderYale UniversityNew Haven, Connecticutone act playYale Dramatic AssociationCort TheatrePeggy AllenbyDon MacLaughlinTheodore MannCircle in the Square TheatreTony AwardDrama Desk AwardNewarkCamdenNew JerseyOur TownInternet Broadway DatabaseThe Long Christmas DinnerThe Merchant of YonkersThe Skin of Our TeethThe MatchmakerThe Bridge of San Luis ReyThe Woman of AndrosIdes of MarchThe Eighth DayTheophilus NorthThe Happy JourneyHello, Dolly!Amos WilderCharlotte WilderJanet Wilder Dakin