Two-Part Plays

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/19/10 at 4:08pm

The two-part play is coming into vogue, with events like Gatz, Coast of Utopia and Angels In America making the form a notable presence. What do you think of these events? Also, have there ever been any two-part musicals?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/19/10 at 4:55pm

UTOPIA was three-parts, as was GATZ.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 12/19/10 at 5:03pm

I don't know that this exactly qualifies, but In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, and Falsettoland by William Finn are all centered around the same characters. March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland were combined to become the two-act Falsettos as well.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/19/10 at 6:07pm

It's never been *out* of vogue and it's never really been *in* vogue either. Plays of this length crop up occasionally. I certainly don't think the recent productions of Angels in America or Coast of Utopia are indicative of a trend. I also wouldn't throw Gatz in with it, since it's technically one performance with breaks. It's a single play, unlike Angels in America or Coast of Utopia.

Other notable two-parters or trilogies are Nicholas Nickleby and The Norman Conquests.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/19/10 at 10:00pm

Why do these plays always seem successful both critically and commercially? Surely someone has written a 3-parter that was awful?

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/19/10 at 10:29pm

THE KENTUCKY CYCLE is nine one act plays, similar to ORPHAN'S HOME CYCLE.

I think novelty plays into some of the commercial success, as well the desire to see the whollleee deal. In terms of critical success, cycles of great length allow the playwright some freedom to explore. A lot more questions get answered.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 5:23am

Also: Gatz's individual installments wouldn't have worked well on their own, but the other shows can stand alone.

I don't have many thoughts or feelings on them as a whole. They are what they are. Like anything else, sometimes they appeal to me and sometimes they don't.

I would hardly consider it "in vogue" either.

[Weez]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 5:46am

I've noticed a slight rash of Henry IV Part 1 and 2 lately. Shame there isn't such a rush to do the three parts of Henry VI...

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 7:24am

The Cider House Rules was a another two parter, a huge flop on Broadway. Frank Rich hated the show

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 12:31pm

^

"The Cider House Rules" did not appear on Broadway. There was an off-Broadway production at the Atlantic, only one part, I believe, and it was tough to get tickets to. I thought it was terrific.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 12:37pm

"Why do these plays always seem successful both critically and commercially? Surely someone has written a 3-parter that was awful?"

"A Texas Trilogy" won the Pulitzer Prize, and was anything but awful. But the critical reception when it opened on Broadway was not enthusiastic, and it closed after a short run.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 12:47pm

Since you included GATZ, we could mention Peter Stein's recent 9-hour marathon DEMONS on Governors Island, which wasn't exactly a critical darling.

Also, about 8 years ago, the Stratford Festival streamlined the HENRYs into a 2-part marathon, and it was some of the most spectacular theater I've ever seen.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 1:06pm

I saw Nicholas Nickleby at the Lyric during Thanksgiving Break and I thought it was just terrific. They did the shortened six and a half hour version which cuts out the Kenwigses, Lillyvick and Miss Petowker completely.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 1:53pm

Torch Song Trilogy is made up of 3 one act plays that were performed seperately when first written.