...other than a conversation I just had with Nick M and a desire to think about something other than the Oscars for five minutes here are my 5 favorite plays (ask me tomorrow it'll be different). I'm not claiming they're the best productions I've ever seen (in some cases I've never completely loved a production of said piece) or the best ever written. Just the five I have the deepest affection for currently. If you want more than five, just add anything by Albee or Williams to the shortlist.(alpha order)
"ANGELS IN AMERICA" Tony Kushner
"CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF" Tennessee Williams
"THE CRUCIBLE" by Arthur Miller
"MACBETH" by William Shakespeare
"WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF" by Edward Albee
For people who know theater better than I, send me suggestions of things I should read (obviously this list is very mainstream in it's "best" way.)
Posts
13 comments:
" If you want more than five, just add anything by Albee or Williams to the shortlist."
I'm mentally adding "The Zoo Story" and "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Do you consider musicals in this? Or are they categorizes separately?
categorized separately
Christopher Durang is one sick mother...but his stuff is HILARIOUS...check out Baby witht he bath Water, 'dentity Crisis, Laughing Wild, SiSter Mary..., Actor's Nightmare, Titanic...I could go on for DAYS.
why didn't you list six?
http://6things.blogspot.com/2005/06/
six-favourite-plays.html
the pillowman by martin mcdonagh. incredible.
If you haven't read Paul Zindel's The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon- Mairgolds, you should.
I've only seen film versions, but A Streetcar Named Desire is one of my favourites stories ever. Even a shoddy remake would satisfy me because it's such a great story.
Oh, did you know they're making another version of Macbeth. This one is Australian and it's called simply M. and stars Sam Worthington and set in Melbourne's underworld ganglands. ...just fyi
Can't beat Cat but Albee's The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? remains surprising. I'm beginning to think of it as a sequel (of sorts) to Woolf.
Also I suspect you'd like the plays of Adam Bock -- Five Flights and Swimming in Shallows.
My personal fave (play and film adaptation both fantastic) is The Lion in Winter. As nick m. added, The Zoo story is fantastic, as is Waiting for Godot. Eqqus is quite good as well.
Are you familiar with Tom Stoppard at all? His play "Arcadia" is probably my favorite of all time. Also try "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" and "The Real Thing."
Seconding the recommendations of "Equus" and Adam Bock's plays. "Antony and Cleopatra" is my pick for most underrated Shakespeare (it's not his best, but it deserves a lot more respect).
nick m -streetcar vs. cat is a tough call for me. i went for Cat this time.
par -six degrees would be in a larger list for sure.
anonymous & stinky lulu-
i think both The Goat or Who is Sylvia and Pillowman are astound plays. But I figured they're a little new still for me to include as 'FAV. ALL TIME.' especially Pillowman. Although I did see The Goat twice and was entirely amazed at how flexible it is (same production. different cast. but still...)
anonymous 2 or 3 - i like stoppard but I have never read Arcadia which my friends rave about all the time.
thanks for all these suggestions people
The play to read is In the Heart of America by Naomi Wallace. It might even approach Angels of America, which is, for me, the best play ever.
If you like Albee...
Someone else you'll like and who you absolutely must check out is Nicky Silver. Get his anthology Etiquette & Vitriol. It's near-perfect. If you like Albee...
Post a Comment