To Jerome Mayer [Letter 303]

July 31, 1947 

Dear Jerry: 

Please forgive me for my delay in reading the script of NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP, and for my silence about it. I have been in such a mad rush that it was impossible for me to write a coherent letter of criticism, but I have not forgotten and this is the first chance I have had to write.

I am sorry that I had to send the script back to you without comment. No, it is not because I disliked it. I have read the play with real interest. I think it is very well done. I enjoyed many of the scenes, and the dialogue is excellent. But as you know, I am most firmly opposed to plays or books which do not have a strong plot. So it is impossible for me to venture an opinion on whether this play would succeed on the stage or not. There have been plotless plays which have succeeded, therefore I must suppose there is an audience for them, but I am unable to judge what is responsible for a play’s success in such a case. I am afraid that NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP is the kind of play which is better in reading than in acting. 

You asked whether I knew of anyone who would be interested in backing a stage play. I am sorry that I don’t, as I do not know many people in the theater now. 

If you have time, let me hear from you and let me know how your production plans are going. Needless to say, I wish you the best of luck and I hope that you will have a hit. 

With best regards from both of us, 

Sincerely,

The play, adapted from the novel by Ludwig Bemelmans, was not produced.