Sticks and Bones

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/26/06 at 4:04pm

I recently read this play, along with Streamers, and found them both fascinating, but this one in particular. I actually had to read it twice--at first I was like this is soo weird! before I went back and understood it and its brilliance. Did anyone see the original production? What did you think? What was the public reaction to it, being so close to the Vietnam war? What was the public's reaction to having all the characters be the Nelsons?

And feel free to post if you love this play, even if you can't answer those questions

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 10/26/06 at 4:50pm

I saw the Broadway transfer of the Public Theater production in (I believe) 1972 at the John Golden Theater. The play was by turns absurdist, dreamlike, and monolog-laden. This gave it both verismo and artiness. It won the Tony over a Neil Simon laff-fest. What else is interesting is: CBS television broadcast a production in (I believe) 1974, and about half the affiliates refused even to carry this prestige production! (It would insult our brave veterans and turn us into Commies, etc., etc.) Check for history on that... it helps to explain how this award winner has faded from memory, and from the contemporary stage.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/26/06 at 5:00pm

It's faded from memory? That's sad. And a shame. Great work.