Customer Reviews

Blue Surge: A Play

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This book was an amazing experience. I was happy to read Boy Gets Girl and The Glory of Living, and this one just reassured me that Gillman know her craft.

Rebecca Gilman is unquestionably one of the finest modern playwrights; SPINNING INTO BUTTER, BOY GETS GIRL, and THE GLORY OF LIVING are among my favorite plays. But BLUE SURGE, despite being generally well-written, is mostly forgetable. Like Gilman's other works, it tackles "big issues"--prostitution, poverty, class differences--but can't compare with her previous accomplishments. However, it's a worthy read, especially since it isn't likely to get too many staged productions.

This play had a short run at The Public Theater in New York last year, where I happened to catch it. While there are flashes of wit and emotion in the writing, backing up the many praises Gilman has received, the play as a whole fails to cohere. It's ostensibly about a cop who falls in love with a hooker, but the relationship never gets deeper than a lesson in botany. The exterior drama becomes more than a little kitchen-sink convenient, especially near the end.

I'll admit, I haven't read or seen any other Gilman plays. But from what I hear, you may be better off working your way through them (especially CHURNING INTO BUTTER) before reading this one.