Set in the backyard of a blue-collar neighborhood in South Philadelphia early in the summer of 1973, the comedy-drama focuses on the 21st birthday celebration of Harvard student Francis Geminiani.

The following March it was mounted by the Circle Repertory Company with Hadary (Herschel Weinberger), Jessica James (Bunny), Danny Aiello (Fran), Anne De Salvo (Lucille), Carol Potter (Judith Hastings), and Robert Picardo (Francis Geminiani).

Showtime created a "staged for video" version for cable television in 1982, starring Danny Aiello (Fran), Anne De Salvo (Lucille), and Scott Baio (Francis).

[1] According to theatre scholar Jordan Schildcrout, many critics praised the performances of Aiello, De Salvo, and James, finding that "Innaurato depicted his larger-than-life supporting characters with such force that they often threatened to take over the play.

"[2] Crucial to the success of the play was a 30-second television commercial that aired in the New York area, inviting audiences to the "party" and introducing each character with notable catchphrases such as "Take human bites!"