Arthur Miller's Playing for Time [Paperback]

Arthur Miller (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Dramatic Pub Co (January 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087129267X
• ISBN-13: 978-0871292674
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was born in New York City in 1915 and studied at the University of Michigan. He was awarded the Avery Hopwood Award for Playwrighting at University of Michigan in 1936. He twice won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, received two Emmy awards and three Tony Awards for his plays, as well as a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. He also won an Obie award, a BBC Best Play Award, the George Foster Peabody Award, a Gold Medal for Drama from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the Literary Lion Award from the New York Public Library, the John F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Algur Meadows Award. He received honorary degrees from Oxford University and Harvard University and was awarded the Prix Moliere of the French theatre, the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Lifetime Achievement Award and the Pulitzer Prize, as well as numerous other awards. He was named the Jefferson Lecturer for the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2001. He was awarded the 2002 Prince of Asturias Award for Letters and the 2003 Jerusalem Prize.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Little known Miller work, but a great story, March 25, 2009

By 

Nicole Mohr (Simi Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Arthur Miller's Playing for Time (Paperback)

I just wish this play was produced more often, but I can see why it is challenging to produce with all of the various musical elements. It seems like a great show, however, and would be great for production by an all girls school or a drama company that is heavy on females.

5.0 out of 5 stars Music of the Soul, August 3, 2008

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Arthur Miller's Playing for Time (Paperback)

Though the title may mislead some, the story is based in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. Adapted from a story of the same name by Fania Fenelon, Arthur Miller creates a moving stage play that seems reasonable for even a low budget theater to run. While not as well known, it ranks in blunt emotion with other Miller works "Death of a Salesman" and "All My Sons".

Fania Fenelon narrates the story as the main character. Taken from France during the war, she quickly forms a friendship with the young Marianne. Their friendship is tested often through their choices and alliances. Fania is able to maintain a more confortable life in the concentration camp. Because of her musical ability, she is made to join the orchestra for which she eventually becomes the conductor. Despite a lack of musical knowledge, she is even able to gain Marianna membership in the musical group. Yet even as rumors of the end of the war swirl, tempers begin to boil in and outside of the orchestra causing illness, death, and ill-advised escape attempts.

In his body of work as perhaps the greatest American playwright, Miller has not shunned controversial themes. In fact, many of his works involve Judaism and the Holocaust. Because this centers around women, it is unique to Miller particularly because of the strong will of female characters in the story. I would embrace the opportunity to see this performed live.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Playing for Time ROCKS!, July 24, 2007

By 

Sandra Carson (Anaheim, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arthur Miller's Playing for Time (Paperback)

Anyone who enjoys plays will love this script...especially if you're alreaady a fan of Arthur Miller (author of other assorted plays, including Death of a Salesman) You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be enraged, you'll experience empathy for the characters, it will touch your heart...what makes this play so incredible is that it is based on a true story--from actual interviews Miller had with the main character. A must-read!