Customer Reviews

The House of Blue Leaves (Plume)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The House of Blue Leaves is an exellent critique of the desire to achieve celebrity in our society. The characters in this story, namely Artie and Ronnie, are searching out fame in their own way (writing music for motion pictures and blowing the pope sky high, respectivly) mainly to achieve some sort of validity in their lives. They believe that their existance is meaningless without the acknowledgement of others. Through sharp, and sometimes dry and cynical writing, Guare makes you feel for the characteres and leaves you stunned at the end. With it's assortment of colorful supporting characters it is both a very funny and a very sad work of art.

Guare's "House of Blue Leaves" is by far the most memorable, well-written, and exceptionally challenging play that I've yet to come across. Granted, the only production I've seen was an amateur presentation at a local performing arts center but, that aside, the content of Guare's play completely overshadowed any lackluster performances. As for the philosophy employed in so many recent films (Magnolia, Being John Malkovich) regarding self-affirmation through the powers of universal forces, "House of Blue Leaves" exemplifies this modernist philosophy through and through. Although "Six Degrees of Separation" is the more regarded of Guare's plays, HOBL is the most exceptionally subtle and quietly subversive. Very, very impressive work.

The servie was impecable, i recieved my script in less than a week! It was in great conditon,and now I can read one of my favorite plays ever! Thank you very much for the wonderful service.

The story and the characters are zany but fragile. I saw the 1986 production with Swoosie Kurtz and John Mahoney who would later become nationally known as Frasier's Dad. It was a very good production with great actors and many jokes but it is NOT a happy story. It's sad and working class. I saw it many times because tickets were very cheap to Catholic school kids (because it's about the Pope???)

is a commentary on the oblivious pursuits of people in our society and causalities they take, hurting both others and themselves.

A play for people who never quite fit in. A play for people who know there's something more.

AMAZING! An awsome play to perform and to see!

I thought that the play it's self had good moments in it. I read the screen play before I saw the play performed. I enjoyed the performance, but The script was less as entertaing. Another book along these lines is 'of mice and men' by john steinback. If you are into a little crazyness then both of these books would be a good book. they are normaly tought in high school together.

I found this play to be extremely dull. There is very little action and the jokes are very dry. The storyline of a man who has had his dreams stepped on his entire life now finally seeing them about to become a reality is marred by the trite stereotypical characterizations. Several of the characters do not add to the story and their presence doesn't even make sense. Further, the story just plain isn't interesting. This is one I would definitely pass on.