Bud Abbott Alone

A One-Person Play in Two Acts

By: Michael B. Druxman

Narrated by: Victor Warren, Laura Patinkin Urken

“Bud Abbott was the greatest straight man ever.” (Groucho Marx)

During their prime in the 1940s and early 1950s, Abbott and Costello were the most popular comedy duo in show business. They first became a team in burlesque, graduated to radio with Kate Smith, then Broadway with comedian Bobby Clark and Carmen Miranda; and, ultimately, to the movies, making their debut supporting Allan Jones and Nancy Kelly in One Night in the Tropics (1940).

Their own films, including Buck Privates and In the Navy (1941), Rio Rita (1942), Hit the Ice (1943), and their biggest hit, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), made them one of biggest movie box-office stars of their day. Yet, all was not well with Bud and Lou. Aside from both of them having major health problems, there were disputes over money, billing, and a tragedy that changed their lives forever.

The team broke up in 1957. Costello would die two years later, and Abbott would be faced with major issues from the Internal Revenue Service.

Michael B. Druxman’s one-person play, Bud Abbott Alone, joins the retired straight man, now living on his Social Security, contemplating voicing himself in an animated cartoon TV series based on him and his late partner. He ponders his life, remembering the salad days of his career.

One simple set.

©2020 Michael B. Druxman (P)2020 Michael B. Druxman

A Full Meal!

I really enjoyed this. It’s short, but I learned a lot. I’ve always liked Abbott and Costello, so it was fascinating to find out more about Bud Abbott and his separate life apart from Lou. Victor Warren does and excellent job narrating and bringing the story to life. I would highly recommend this listen.

A Must Read

So nice to hear about Bud Abbott. I love how this was put together. He and Lou Costello made life funny and delightful. Sure miss them, but bring them to life when I listen to their movie and radio shows.