The Theater of Lee Blessing: A Critical Study of 44 Plays

Nominated for Pulitzer, Tony and Obie awards, among others, Lee Blessing has shaped American theater over the last 40 years. Tackling subjects like child abuse, racism, sexism and war, as well as baseball, love and religion, Blessing has dedicated himself to investigating and dramatizing both the triumphs and evils of contemporary society. This book examines for the first time all 44 of his plays, and includes one of his unpublished scripts, providing a definitive text on a playwright whose thought-provoking work has been performed around the world.

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The Theater of Lee Blessing: A Critical Study of 44 Plays

Nominated for Pulitzer, Tony and Obie awards, among others, Lee Blessing has shaped American theater over the last 40 years. Tackling subjects like child abuse, racism, sexism and war, as well as baseball, love and religion, Blessing has dedicated himself to investigating and dramatizing both the triumphs and evils of contemporary society. This book examines for the first time all 44 of his plays, and includes one of his unpublished scripts, providing a definitive text on a playwright whose thought-provoking work has been performed around the world.

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The Theater of Lee Blessing: A Critical Study of 44 Plays

The Theater of Lee Blessing: A Critical Study of 44 Plays

by Philip Zwerling
The Theater of Lee Blessing: A Critical Study of 44 Plays

The Theater of Lee Blessing: A Critical Study of 44 Plays

by Philip Zwerling

Paperback

$39.95 
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Overview

Nominated for Pulitzer, Tony and Obie awards, among others, Lee Blessing has shaped American theater over the last 40 years. Tackling subjects like child abuse, racism, sexism and war, as well as baseball, love and religion, Blessing has dedicated himself to investigating and dramatizing both the triumphs and evils of contemporary society. This book examines for the first time all 44 of his plays, and includes one of his unpublished scripts, providing a definitive text on a playwright whose thought-provoking work has been performed around the world.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786471102
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 06/06/2016
Pages: 276
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Philip Zwerling, now retired to the Mendocino Coast of California, previously taught creative writing at Ursinus College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is the author of seven books on film, theater and history.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Introduction 5

1 The Beginning 7

The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid 12

2 The Estrogen Plays 19

Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music 20

Independence 27

Riches 33

Eleemosynary 39

3 On Fields of Dreams

Oldtimers Game 46

Cooperstown 49

Cobb 50

Fantasy League 56

The Winning Streak 57

For the Loyal 61

4 A Walk and a View

A Walk in the Woods 67

A View of the Mountains 78

5 The Headline Plays

Two Rooms 85

Down the Road 93

Lake Street Extension 100

Patient A 104

The Rights 111

Going to St. Ives 112

Chesapeake 116

34th and Dyer 119

Whores 120

Wood for the Fire 127

Seven Joys 130

6 The Race Plays 134

Black Sheep 134

Flag Day 139

Perilous Night 144

7 Love Is All There Is 149

Thief River 150

The Roads That Lead Here 156

A Body of Water 159

The Scottish Play 165

Lonesome Hollow 169

Great Falls 174

Into You 179

Uncle 181

8 The Rushmore Plays 188

Fortinbras 188

Tyler Poked Taylor 193

Reagan in Hell 195

When We Go Upon the Sea 196

9 The Plays of Life, Death and Immortality 202

Cold Water 202

Heaven's My Destination 204

A User's Guide to Hell Featuring Bernard Madoff 208

Unknown 213

Courting Harry 214

The Hourglass Project 219

10 Writing for Movies and Television 223

11 Curtain 226

Appendix 1 The Awards 235

Appendix 2 The Napkin Play 238

Appendix 3 The Plays 240

Chapter Notes 246

Bibliography 263

Index 265

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