May In April

Happy birthday, Elaine May.  As an actor, writer and director, she's been one of the leading lights of comedy for over fifty years.

She came to fame in 1960 as half of the comedy team Nichols and May, whose smart and sophisticated work was a hit on Broadway and then across America. Though partner Mike Nichols went on to great success as a stage and film director, I've always felt it was May who was the more talented one.

In addition to further stage work, May would go on to direct the films A New Leaf, The Heartbreak Kid, Mikey And Nicky and Ishtar--I like them all, even the last one. She also worked as a writer on impressive titles such as Heaven Can Wait, Reds, Tootsie and The Birdcage. She also did fine work acting in her New Leaf as well as California Split and Small Time Crooks.