Who is the greatest American playwright of all-time?- Page 3

[Elphie3]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:32am

What about Thorton Wilder? I have to think personally when I think of "greatest" to some extent, since "greatest" in an historical context is almost unquantifiable. Wilder is the american playwright who has moved me the most personall. Two words: "Our Town"

[Tom1071]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 12:37pm

Margo,

In your vast theatre knowledge do you recall the title of a one act play by William Inge set on death row of a prison? I can't for the life of me remember the title but it is an amazing piece.
Updated On: 4/20/07 at 12:37 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 12:48pm

THE DISPOSAL, which I think might have been his last play.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 1:10pm

Thanks so much. You need your own website: askmargo.com
Updated On: 4/20/07 at 01:10 PM

[JRybka]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 1:13pm

Maybe he has been spoken of but I truly love Craig Lucas. I know that some of his stuff have been musicals but his contemporary plays are such a slice of life in the world we live in... Full of humor and saddness, love and even evil. We live it in our every day.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 1:24pm

EricMonreal: The film version of PICNIC which was directed by Joshua Logan is excellent, IMO. The actual 20 minute scene of the picnic is very effective and takes its time on purpose as it portrays the residents of a small town. It is very realistic and nostalgic as it portrays the last day of summer, which I have always experienced in a wistful way.

[littlechavela2]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 1:25pm

I have a hard time deciding between Miller and Albee. I think I like Miller's work collectively, but Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf is my favorite play, hands down.

[professor]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 1:59pm

>>>Wow, it took a whole page before I saw a black name on this list, and August Wilson came to mind immediately when I saw the subject header.

>>>>and as far as I saw, NO women.

Um.... not to nitpick, but I mentioned several women in my post back on the first page of the thread

[Danielm]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 7:33pm

>>>>and as far as I saw, NO women.

Also, I hate to throw a damper on this, but I don't think there has been a woman playwright who has equaled O'Neill, Miller or Williams. Many of them are still early in their careers and can't really be judged yet. Wendy Wasserstein--I'm sorry, but I don't think is a great playwright. Lillian Helman may be a great playwright but could never be considered the "greatest". This is not to say they are not worthy of being admired but the question was about the "greatest". I think there's nothing more damaging than elevating someone to greatness before they are ready.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:50pm

What a fabulous question! My two cents would be Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and Eugene O'Neill. Of this generation, I would say John Patrick Shanley, Richard Greenberg, John Guare, David Mamet, August Wilson and if I include English playwrights, David Hare and Harold Pinter.

Tennessee Williams is my all-time favorite playwright. In addition to his masterpiece full lengths such as Streetcar, Cat and Glass ... I also love some of his one-act "chambers" such as This Property is Condemned, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, I Can't Imagine Tomorrow, And Tell the Sad Stories of the Death of Queens, etc. Though they were written with Southern sensibilities, the themes of his plays are universal. The poetry and expressionistic style of his language, deep and complex characters and extraordinary circumstances make him a real compelling playwright in my opinion. They're all accessible.

Updated On: 4/21/07 at 11:50 PM

[singingshowgirl]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 11:02am

Arthur Miller if you are making me choose lol