Hidden Gems of the American Theater | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Many well-made plays from the 30s and 40s, which fell out of fashion but still hold value, should not be disregarded.

Key Insights

• 😮 Well-made plays from the 30s and 40s have fallen out of fashion due to the rise of more personal and expressionistic playwriting styles.
• 🇻🇺 SN Behrman and John Van Druten are playwrights who should be rediscovered for their sharp and provocative social comedies.
• 🖐️ British playwrights like Terrence Rattigan have also been disregarded due to their traditional play construction.
• 🖐️ Despite changing trends, it is important to recognize the value and relevance of well-made plays from the past.
• 🖐️ David Cromer is a highly talented director known for making familiar plays like "Our Town" and "The Glass Menagerie" feel fresh and exciting.
• 😮 Cromer's setback on Broadway won't hinder his future success, as his talent and imagination continue to impress.
• 🖐️ The critic acknowledges that there are various ways of writing plays and appreciates the diversity in styles, but believes that well-made plays of the past should not be disregarded solely because they are not fashionable.

Transcript

well the American Theater is lousy with hidden gems but I think in particular there are a lot of plays what used to be well they're still called well-made plays of the 30s and 40s that fell out of fashion when the fashion in American Theater turned towards more personal expressionistic playwriting at Tennesse Williams really marks the big change in... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some well-made plays from the 30s and 40s that are worth rediscovering?

SN Behrman's play "Biography" is a sharp and provocative social comedy, while John Van Druten's "The Voice of the Turtle" is a three-character play that has yet to have a modern production on the East Coast.

Q: Why are playwrights like SN Behrman and John Van Druten considered unfashionable?

These playwrights are rooted in traditional ways of play construction, which went out of fashion with the rise of more personal and expressionistic playwriting styles.

Q: Can you give an example of a director who excels at making familiar plays feel new and fresh?

David Cromer from Chicago is known for his ability to breathe new life into well-known plays. His productions of "Our Town" and "The Glass Menagerie" showcased his talent for making familiar works feel alive and exciting.

Q: What setback did David Cromer face in his career?

Despite making his Broadway debut with a repertory production of two Neil Simon plays, the production was closed after the first one opened and before the second one could open. However, this setback won't hinder Cromer's future success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• American theater saw a shift towards more personal and expressionistic playwriting with the rise of Tennessee Williams, but there are still hidden gems from the well-made play era.

• Playwrights such as SN Behrman and John Van Druten wrote social comedies that are sharp and provocative, with plays like "Biography" and "The Voice of the Turtle" deserving recognition.

• British playwrights like Terrence Rattigan also deserve attention for their traditional play construction, despite being considered unfashionable.