1921 When it closes tonight after 1,291 performances, Lightnin' will hold the record as Broadway's longest-running play up to that time. Starring in the piece on closing night is Frank Bacon.

1929 Ira Levin is born today. Levin will go on to write the mother of all Broadway thrillers, Deathtrap. Other plays include No Time for Sergeants and General Seeger.

1931 Opening night of starry revue Life Begins at 8:40, written by Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg and Ira Gershwin. Stars include Luella Gear, Frances Williams, and future Wizard of Oz co-stars Ray Bolger and Bert Lahr. The score includes "You're a Builder-Upper.

1991 Thorton Wilder's The Matchmaker opens anew at Off-Broadway's Roundabout Theatre Company's Haft Theatre. The original production of the play was produced on Broadway Dec. 5, 1955. The play was then later adapted into the musical Hello, Dolly! by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart.

2001 The musical Urinetown begins Broadway previews.

More of Today's Birthdays: Martha Raye 1916. Ira Levin 1929.