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Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

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#1

Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 9:58am

Exciting news (for me)!! I'm being given a special gift: I was told to choose 20 plays and they're mine. So I need to choose 20 plays that are in print (and must be available on Amazon.com).

Here's what I'm looking for:

-Non-musicals
-Written in the past 5 years
-Not over-produced, such as DOUBT
-Preferably more obscure titles
-American plays (meaning written in English and not a translation)

Thanks in advance!!!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

Updated On: 3/14/08 at 09:58 AM

#3

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:13am

LOL, no no.

I won a directing award which is 20 single plays of my choosing, up to a value no greater than $250. They must be purchased all at one online location, such as Amazon.com or BN.com.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#4

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:24am

Man from Nebraska by Tracy Letts
356 Play/365 Days by Suzan Lori Parks
Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay Abaire
Well by Lisa Kron
The Clean House and Other Plays by Sarah Ruhl
The Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman
Read LETTERS TO A YOUNG ARTIST by Anna Deavere Smith!

Updated On: 3/14/08 at 10:24 AM

#5

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:27am

Add Martin McDonagh's work. Don't limit yourself to Americans.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
#6

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:38am

Roscoe -- thanks for catching that. That isn't what I meant to type, I corrected it.

Here's my potential list so far:

Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire
Blackbird by David Harrower
Well by Lisa Kron
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh
The Pain and the Itch by Bruce Norris
Essential Self-Defense by Adam Rapp
The Scene by Theresa Rebeck
The Coast of Utopia by Tom Stoppard
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#7

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:42am

Don't forget McDonagh's LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, or Albee's THE GOAT.
"If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about the answers." Thomas Pynchon, GRAVITY'S RAINBOW "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Philip K. Dick My blog: http://www.roscoewrites.blogspot.com/
#8

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 1:03pm

I already own INISHMORE and CLEAN HOUSE :)
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#10

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 1:36pm

im going to put in another vote for Lisa Kron's Well.
I'm going to recommend a british playwright named Fin Kennedy - he's written this really incredible play that's NEVER produced. Called "How to Disappear Completely and never be Found."
I saw him speak a little while ago, thought he was great. And i love that play of his. His website is http://www.finkennedy.co.uk
#11

re: Top Twenty plays written in the past 5 years (that aren't overdone)

Posted: 3/14/08 at 1:39pm

I would say put in some of Beane's work, ala The Little Dog Laughed. Has eurydice been published?
PLEASE! Do not post anything negative or dramatic! DidYouReallyHearMe has LOST the ability to ignore such posts and he will comment! Please, help him.


With Clay Aiken in Spamalot, all of Broadway is singing a collective "There! Right! There!" -Me-

"Not Barker, Todd is the only person I've ever known who could imitate Katherine Hepburn...in print." -nmartin-

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