Best Plays 2004-2005
Best Plays 2004-2005
Best Plays 2004-2005#0
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:28am
The 86th edition of the invaluable Best Plays series has just been released. Here's their top ten list for that season (which IMO reflects what was a relatively weak year for new work):
After Ashley by Gina Gionfriddo
Brooklyn Boy by Donald Margulies
Democracy by Michael Frayn
Doubt, a Parable by John Patrick Shanley
Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson
Guantánamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom by Victoria Brittain & Gillian Slovo
Hot 'n' Throbbing by Paula Vogel
A Number by Caryl Churchill
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh
Romance by David Mamet
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/100940.html
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#1
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:31amNo musicals -- interesting. Would have thought Piazza would have been in there.
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#2
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:31amIt's unfortunate that there weren't enough Tony slots available to give some recognition to BROOKLYN BOY. I hope it thrives in future productions.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#3
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:41amugh. i'm pretty disgusted that after ashley made their list this year. it was one of the worst plays in my opinion.
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#4
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:43amI didn't actively dislike After Ashley, though I did feel it would have benefited from another draft (or two or three).
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#5
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:43am
No musicals -- interesting. Would have thought Piazza would have been in there.
Sweetie, it's Best PLAYS. Not musicals. Just plays.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#7
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:46am
Yes, but in the course of the past 86 years, a few dozen musicals have been recognized by the series, including A Chorus Line, Sunday in the Park with George, Sunset Boulevard, Rent, The Lion King, The Producers, Urinetown and more recently, Caroline, or Change.
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#8
Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:48ami was going to say. i know they've included some musicals previously.
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#9
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:03am
For a time, it seemed that there was at least one musical named each year. I have noticed that the past few years have had extremely few musicals -- I think Caroline is the only one since The Producers and Urinetown were both named back in 2000-2001.
On another note, it's probably just me, but I think the books are much less interesting to read than they used to be -- they've become much more factual and less opinionated. Some people would say that's a good thing, but I kind of liked getting the editor's take on the season.
re: Best Plays 2004-2005#10
Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:23amI miss Otis Guernsey who for decades added a really informed and opinionated insider's perspective in reviewing each season, pointing out trends and notable happenings from the year just past. Whether you agreed with all of his observations or not, the writing was always entertaining and provocative. The series lacks that sort of personality now, though it's still a crucial part of any library of theatre.
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