- Adapted Erskine Caldwell's novel "Tobacco Road" for Broadway. The play opened at the Theatre Masque on December 4, 1933 and transfered to the 48th Street Theatre on July 16, 1934 and to the Forrest Theatre in September 1934, where it closed on May 31, 1941. The play set a record for longevity on Broadway when it totaled 3,182 performances. The dramatization of "Tobacco Road" still is the longest running drama in Broadway history and is surpassed only by "Life With Father" in the non-musical Broadway production category.
- In 1938, he adapted and directed John Steinbeck's novel "Tortilla Flat" for the Broadway stage, but it was not successful and ran only a week. The play, and the 1942 M-G-M film version starring Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr and John Garfield, were both based on Steinbeck's novel, but Kirkland's script was not used in the film.
- (2009-2010 Season) His play, "Tobacco Road," was performed at the American Blues Theater in Chicago, Illinois. James Leaming was scenic designer. Sarah E. Ross and Kristin DeiTois were costume designers.
- (1944) Stage Play: Suds in Your Eye. Written by Jack Kirkland. Based on the novel by Mary Lesswell. Directed by Jack Kirkland. Cort Theatre (moved to The Forrest Theatre from 24 Jan 1944- close): 12 Jan 1944- 23 Jan 1944 (37 performances). Cast: John Adair (as "Mr. Fitzgerald"), Chueck Ming (as "Chin Chinatown"), Jane Darwell (as "Mrs. Feeley") [final Broadway role], Lujah Fonnesbeck (as "Mrs. Ferguson"), Brenda Forbes (as "Miss Tinkham"), John Gerard (as "Elmer"), Ruth Gilbert (as "Conchita"), Will Hare (as "Danny Feeley"), Tom Hoier (as "Mr. Reynolds"), Herbert James (as "Policeman"), Marie Kenney (as "Mrs. Katz"), Cynthia Latham (as "Mrs. Miller"), Tom McElhany (as "Pinky Kennedy"), Russell Morrison (as "1st Buyer"), Loy Nilson (as "Moe"), Kasia Orgazewski (as "Mrs. Rasmussen"), Robert Rhodes (as "Mr. Wilson"), Wanda Sponder (as "Mrs. Rasmussen's Daughter"), Fredric Munn Szeto (as "Chinatown"), Kenneth Tobey (as "Mac"), Frank Tweddell (as "Armond Hansen"), Janet Tyler (as "Kate Logan"), Bruno Wick (as "Shipyard Worker"), Helene Young (as "June"). Produced by Katharine Brown and John H. Del Bondio.
- (1943) Stage Play: The Moon Vine. Comedy. Written by Patricia Coleman. Scenic Design and Costume Design by Lucinda Ballard. Directed by John Cromwell. Morosco Theatre: 11 Feb 1943- 27 Feb 1943 (20 performances). Cast: Robert W. Albury (as "Larkin"), Vera Allen (as "Mrs. Meade, Miss Eloise"), Ruth Anderson (as "Mattie"), Philip Bourneuf (as "Ovid Carter"), Yul Brynner (as "Andre"), Grace Coppin (as "Strother Meade"), Robert Crawley (as "Porter"), Drop Dead (as "Drop Dead"), Biddy Fleet (as "Nic"), Arthur Franz (as "Danny Hatfield"), Will Geer (as "Uncle Yancey Sylvaine"), A. Winfield Hoeny (as "Brother Walt Littlejohn"), Kate McComb (as "Miss Lucy Telfair, Aunt Lullah"), John McKee (as "Rev. Dr. Randolph Hatfield"), Michael Road (as "Fane"), Elmer Snowden (as "Pic"), Haila Stoddard (as "Mariah Meade"), Mary Lou Taylor (as "Ellen Hatfield"), Phyllis Tyler (as "Miss Francie Taylor"), Richard Tyler (as "Zack Meade"), Agnes Scott Yost (as "Mrs. Sylvaine, Miss Bessie"). Produced by Jack Kirkland.
- (September 3, 1935 to October 22, 1935) He adapted Erskine Caldwell's novel, "Tobacco Road," at the Selwyn Theatre in Chicago, Illinois with Donald Barry (Dude Lester); Mary Servoss (Ada Lester); Henry Hull (Jeeter Lester); Pauline Drake (Ellie May); Hallene Hilt (Grandma Lester); Leon Ames (Lov Bensey); Herbert A. Pratt (Henry Penbody); Bonita Des Londes (Sister Bessie Rice); Haila Stoddard (Pearl); Howard Banks (Captain Tim); and Fiske O'Hara (George Payne) in the cast.
- (January 1, 1984) His play, "Tobacco Road," was performed at the Long Wharf Theatre (Mainstage) in New Haven, Connecticut. Erskine Caldwell wrote the novel. Arvin Brown was director. Michael Yeargan was set designer. Bill Walker was costume designer. Ronald Wallace was lighting designer.
- (March 5 to 25, 1970) His novel, "Tobacco Road," was performed at the Actors Theatre of Louisville (Mainstage) in Louisville, Kentucky with Christopher Murney (Dude Lester); Leora Dana (Ada Lester); Victor Jory (Jeeter Lester); Peggy Cowles (Ellie May); Susan Cardwell Kingsley (Grandma Lester); Paul Villani (Lov Bensey); Jim Ryan (Henry Peabody); Adale O'Brien (Sister Bessie); Lee Anne Fahey (Pearl); Ken Jenkins (Captain Tim) and George Ede (George Payne) in the cast. Erskine Caldwell was adapter. Jon Jory was director.
- (November 22 to December 3, 1944) Mary Lasswell and his play, "Suds in Your Eyes," was performed at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California. Gilmor Brown was artistic director. Lenore Shanewise was director.
- (Summer 1947) Erskine Caldwell and his play, "Tobacco Road," was performed in a Kenley Players production in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania with Kenley Players in the cast. John Kenley was artistic director.
- (Summer 1955) His play, "Tobacco Road," was performed in a Kenley Players production in Bristol, Pennsylvania with Larry Barton in the cast. John Kenley was artistic director.
- (Summer 1959) His stage adaptation of Erskine Caldwell's novel, "Tobacco Road," was performed at the Cherry County Playhouse in Traverse City, Michigan with John Carradine in the cast. Ruth Bailey was founder and artistic director.
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