Customer Reviews

Eleven Short Plays by William Inge - Acting Edition

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Along with Tenessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill, William Inge ruled Broadway in the 1950's and early 60's. Their brand of poetic realism continues in the straight-play playwrights of today like Tony Kushner, Susan Lori-Parks and David Auburn. These eleven plays are notable for the issues they dance around, issues which playwrights now confront head-on.

TO BOBOLINK, FOR HER SPIRIT (4F, 3M, 7pgs) Conversation between autograph seekers waiting outside of restruant in New York for Perry Como, who may or may not be inside. This is just a sketch, but the characters are well drawn and by changing the names of the movie stars, could well be set in the present day.

PEOPLE IN THE WIND (3M, 5F, 11 pgs) Notable mainly in that it is clearly an early version of what would become the famous play (and movie starring Marilyn Monroe) BUS STOP. All of the themes of that play are present, and most of the characters, in this trial run.

A SOCIAL EVENT (2F, 1M, 6 pgs) Short sketch about a couple getting ready for a party. Has a nice twist ending.

THE BOY IN THE BASEMENT (3M, 1F, 15 pgs, multiple scenes) Set in a funeral home, this play deals with homosexuality and death in a surprisingly complex and emotional way. Perhaps the pre-cursor to SIX FEET UNDER.

THE TINY CLOSET (1M, 3F, 7 pgs) Not the metaphor you think it is. This is a short sketch about the peculiarities we all hide in our closets.

MEMORY OF SUMMER (2F, 1M, 6 pgs) Sketch about a crazy woman who can't let go of summer.

BUS RILEY'S BACK IN TOWN (4M, 2F, 16 pgs) Another winner, this one deals with race and forbidden love in a small Texas town.

THE RAINY AFTERNOON (2F, 1M, 7 pgs) Cute children's play where a boy learns to play house and the audience learns much about the absent parents of the girl who teaches him.

THE MALL (6F, 4M, 10 pgs) A fantasy about love through the eyes of characters Inge noticed on "summer strolls through Central Park." Very Lanford Wilson.

AN INCIDENT AT THE STANDISH ARMS (1M, 1F, 1 child, 5pgs) Notable for the event the dialogue dances around, a one-night stand that is just ending at the beginning of the play. This is a heart-breaking little sketch.

THE STRAINS OF TRIUMPH (5M, 1F, 9 pgs) Nice old college play. Athelete refuses to run after best friend 'steals' the girl he had a crush on. Rather old-fashioned in its ideals about love. A professor of ancient languages character unfortunately underwritten.

Lots of good material here for actors and directors of all ages. Recommended. 4/5 stars.