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The Anastasia Trials In the Court of Women
by Carolyn GageInteractive drama / 9 f / Simple set Audience participation in this courtroom drama creates a profoundly engaging excursion into a world of women who are survivors and abusers. Actually a farcical play within a play, the drama opens as members of a radical feminist theatre group, the Emma Goldman Theatre Brigade, are about to implement their innovative lottery system aimed at insuring equal opportunity for all. They each draw the role they will play on this evening from a hat, putting sisterhood to an iron test. The performance that follows is the conspiracy trial of five women who are accused of denying the defendant Anastasia Romanov her identity. Audience members decide throughout to overrule or sustain the attorneys' motions, creating a different play at every performance.
The Anatomy of Drama (Routledge Revivals)
by Marjorie BoultonThis title, first published in 1960, is intended primarily to increase the understanding of drama among those who do not have easy access to the live theatre and who, therefore, study plays mainly in print. The author’s emphasis is on Shakespeare, but most forms of drama receive some attention. A lucid and lively study of the techniques of plot, dialogue and characterization will help the reader to a deeper appreciated of the problems and successes of the dramatist.
The Ancients and the Postmoderns
by Fredric JamesonFredric Jameson sweeps from the Renaissance to The Wire High modernism is now as far from us as antiquity was for the Renaissance. Such is the premise of Fredric Jameson's major new work in which modernist works, this time in painting (Rubens) and music (Wagner and Mahler), are pitted against late-modernist ones (in film) as well as a variety of postmodern experiments (from SF to The Wire, from "Eurotrash" in opera to Altman and East German literature): all of which attempt, in their different ways, to invent new forms to grasp a specific social totality. Throughout the historical periods, argues Jameson, the question of narrative persists through its multiple formal changes and metamorphoses.From the Hardcover edition.
...And Baby Makes Two
by Nanci ChristopherCharacters: 1 femaleA single woman's desire to experience motherhood without a husband at her side sends her through the world of adoption. Her path leads her through an array of characters and situations rife with drama. Settling on private adoption through an attorney she suffers an unfathomable heartbreak at the death of her newborn son. She is somehow able to rise out of despair to try again and meets Elizabeth who is looking for someone to adopt her unborn child. A new family is forged through the courage of two very brave women. The running time is one hour."Christopher's messages about love and following your dreams are worth telling...fascinating material." - Backstage West...And Baby Makes Two - an adoption tale was nominated for the 2009 SUSAN SMITH BLACKBURN PRIZE.
And Fat Freddy's Blues
by P. J. BarryFull Length Comedy / 2 m., 2 f. / Interior / Fat Freddy Caputo, a "reformed" mobster, faces a crisis in Jericho, R.I. in 1952: the reuniting of his daughter and her former boyfriend who married another but is now separated. His schemes, including a million dollar bribe, backfire with hilarious and heart warming results. / "A standout!" Forth Worth Star Telegram.
And Go to Innisfree
by Jean Lenox ToddieComedy/Drama. Jean Lenox Toddie . Characters: 3 female. Bare stage. . It's October. The beach is deserted. A woman appears, flowered parasol raised and long skirt sweeping the sand. She has come to make a decision, but will she make it alone? The middle aged matron she was argues for the comfort of a retirement home. The child she was urges her to sit again and eat blackberries, to lie under the brambles and study ants, and to arise at long last and go to Innisfree.
And Maggie Makes Three
by Joan Lowery NixonMaggie, living with her grandmother in Houston, joins the drama club at school, wins a part in a play, begins to make friends, and learns to deal with feelings of loneliness, being in love, and having an unusual family life and background.
...And Rain Came to Mayfield
by Jason MilliganA poetic family drama, this play takes place in a small gas station/luncheonette on a Mississippi highway in 1962. The owner's son Carl dreams of going to college but his alcoholic father does not support these aspirations and his mother referees a desperate tug of war between the them. One afternoon, a young black man appears in the doorway seeking shelter while he waits for the bus to Jackson. On this Mississippi day, the two young men discover that they share a need to establish their independence and follow thier dreams. Carl's father reacts violently when he finds the black man in his establishment, but Carl stands up to his father for the first time in his life.
And Slowly Beauty
by Michel Nadeau Maureen LabontéEverything changes on what begins as a typical day in the life of the aptly named Mr. Mann, a forty-eight-year-old, buttoned-down, middle management type in a pinstriped grey suit, who feels himself losing touch with his job, his wife, his children, and the rest of his urban life. He wins tickets to a production of Chekhov's Three Sisters and realizes that the mid-life cocoon he has spun around himself is beginning to unwind.And Slowly Beauty, first performed in French in 2003, was created collaboratively by Michel Nadeau and colleagues from his Quebec troupe, Théâtre Niveau Parking. With the intensity of an electric current striking a reflecting pool, Nadeau shows us how Chekhov's century-old drama about the yearning of three sisters in a dreary provincial town directly addresses Mann's own stifled existence and liberates him from his self-imposed "gulag."Mann returns to see Three Sisters a second time, finding that its themes of beauty and poetry lost to the monotony of everyday existence mirror many aspects of his own existence. At the same time, Mann's dying friend realizes that he is for the first time able to appreciate the astonishing beauty of trees outside his window. The irony of such a deathbed admission is not lost on Mr. Mann.With Chekhov's characters and themes coming to inhabit the protagonist's mind and life, emphasized by the repeated image of geese flying overhead - these birds do not question the purpose of their journey but find it sufficient to fly in unison - And Slowly Beauty speaks eloquently to the power of art to transform lives.Cast of 3 women and 3 men.
......And the Dogs Were Silent/......Et les chiens se taisaient
by Aimé CésaireAvailable to readers for the first time, Aimé Césaire’s three-act drama . . . . . . And the Dogs Were Silent—written during the Vichy regime in Martinique in 1943 and lost until 2008—dramatizes the Haitian Revolution and the rise and fall of Toussaint Louverture as its heroic leader. This bilingual English and French edition stands apart from Césaire’s more widely known 1946 closet drama. Following the slave revolts that sparked the revolution, Louverture arrives as both prophet and poet, general and visionary. With striking dramatic technique, Césaire retells the revolution in poignant encounters between rebels and colonial forces, guided by a prophetic chorus and Louverture’s steady ethical and political vision. In the last act, we reach the hero’s betrayal, his imprisonment, and his last stand against the lures of compromise. Césaire’s masterwork is a strikingly beautiful and brutal indictment of colonial cruelty and an unabashed celebration of Black rebellion and victory.
And Then There Were None
by Agatha ChristieFull Length Play / Mystery Thriller / 8m, 3f / Interior Set. Ten guilty strangers are trapped on an island. One by one they are accused of murder; one by one they start to die. In this superlative mystery comedy statuettes of little soldier boys on the mantel of a house on an island off the coast of Devon fall to the floor and break one by one as those in the house succumb to a diabolical avenger. A nursery rhyme tells how each of the ten "soldiers" met his death until there were none. Eight guests who have never met each other or their apparently absent host and hostess are lured to the island and, along with the two house servants, marooned. A mysterious voice accuses each of having gotten away with murder and then one drops dead - poisoned. One down and nine to go! The excitement never lets up in this ideal play for schools, colleges, and community theatres.
And Then, You Act: Making Art in an Unpredictable World
by Anne BogartFrom well-known auteur of the American theatre scene, Anne Bogart, And Then, You Act is a fascinating and accessible book about directing theatre, acting and the collaborative creative process. Writing clearly and passionately, Bogart speaks to a wide audience, from undergraduates to practitioners, and makes an invaluable contribution to the field tackling themes such as: intentionality inspiration why theatre matters. Following on from her successful book A Director Prepares, which has become a key text for teaching directing classes, And Then, You Act is an essential practitioner and student resource.
And There I Stood with My Piccolo
by Meredith WillsonAnd There I Stood with My Piccolo, originally published in 1948, is a zesty and colorful memoir of composer Meredith Willson&’s early years—from growing up in Mason City, Iowa, to playing the flute with John Philip Sousa&’s band and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, to a successful career in composing for radio and motion pictures in Hollywood. It was apparent to everyone, except maybe Willson himself, that he was on his way to something big.Lighthearted and inspiring, it is no surprise Willson&’s tales caught the attention of prominent Broadway producers. In 1957, just nine years after the publication of this book, The Music Man became a Broadway sensation, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Meredith Willson&’s musical comedy is to this day arguably the most produced and beloved musical in American culture.
...And The There Was Nun
by Bruce W. GilrayComedy with Music / 11 characters (m or f) ...And Then There Was Nun is written in the style of a classic 1940's murder mystery; and is a blend of humor and who-dun-it as the actors emulate iconic movie stars of the past. Take one foreboding mansion on a secluded island, throw in ten whacked-out members of The Holy Order of the Sisters of San Andreas, stir in their unseen and mysterious leader, add an assortment of the sharpest tongues this side of Hollywood and Vine; then infuse with a healthy dose of some of the most famous lines in cinema (slightly warped). Roast well in a preheated treasure trove of movie facts, trivia, legends and gossip for two acts, sit back and savor. ...And Then There Was Nunis a treat for movie buffs and non-movie buffs alike. Actors who take on the personas parodied in this play will be creatively challenged to mold their performances with the mannerisms and vocal styles of famous actors of the past, having an amazingly fun experience along the way. ...And Then There Was Nun was the winner of the 1990 "Robby" Award for "Best Comedy Production" and for "Best Actor" - Tif Rice as Sister Katharine. "...a gas...over the top and as thick as the North Pasture. Needless to add, the audience loved every single second of it." -Drama-Logue "...the nun's story to end all nun's stories...leagues above most comedies and the laughs come nonstop..." -Frontiers "...a captivating mystery...Bruce Gilray and Richard Witter ... created a work that's a joy for actors." -The Press Telegram "...what more could a movie buff desire? A killer evening of hilarity." -The Daily Breeze "Plan a social evening with friends and buy a group of tickets for one of the funniest and entertaining evenings on the current theatre scene in Los Angeles" -The Tolucan
And This Is Laura
by Ellen ConfordAnd This Is Laura is the hilarious story of an average girl in a family of overachievers who learns she's not so average. Laura's oldest brother composes his own music and is a debate team champion; her sister is a star actress and bowler; her youngest brother is in the process of counting to a million. Laura? She's just an ordinary twelve-year old--that is, until she discovers that she can see the future. Suddenly, she has popularity, attention from her parents, even media coverage. It's new and great--until one day, a vision frightens her to the core.Ellen Conford is one of the most prolific and successful authors of young adult fiction. In addition to the popular Jenny Archer and Annabel the Actress series, Conford has written over thirty novels. She has received numerous awards, notably an ALA Best Book of the Year citation.
Andrea: Enchanted Aleutian Pricess
by Robert AlgeriI met Andrea Altiery in 1981; the first thing she asked was, “Do you like the rock band Aerosmith?” I responded, “Yes.” She smiled and slapped me on my left shoulder telling me, “Dream on my friend.” Later that year Andrea was taken from us by the most notorious serial killer to ever hunt in the state of Alaska. Get ready to collectively ride an emotional ride through urban Alaska while looking through a steamy window for lost love; love that's never found and love that maybe never was. I can only imagine the helplessness; the complete feeling of being alone these women had; Andrea must have had, preyed upon all of their spirit's gathering together now. Victims of circumstance; none of these women deserved to be mistreated like Andrea; dehumanized, erased from our minds. One last chance to give Andrea a voice, each woman asking us can you hear me, do you see me now?
Andrew Lloyd Webber
by John SnelsonAndrew Lloyd Webber is the most famous--and most controversial--composer of musical theater alive today. Hundreds of millions of people have seen his musicals, which include Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Sunset Boulevard. Even more know his songs. Lloyd Webber's many awards include seven Tonys and three Grammys--but he has nonetheless been the subject of greater critical vitriol than any of his artistic peers. Why have both the man and his work provoked such extreme responses? Does he challenge his audiences, or merely recycle the comfortable and familiar? Over three decades, how has Lloyd Webber changed fundamentally what a musical can be? In this sustained examination of Lloyd Webber's creative career, the music scholar John Snelson explores the vast range of influences that have informed Lloyd Webber's work, from film, rock, and pop music to Lloyd Webber's own life story. This rigorous and sympathetic survey will be essential reading for anyone interested in Lloyd Webber's musicals and the world of modern musical theater that he has been so instrumental in shaping.
Androcles and the Lion
by Dan Laurence George Bernard ShawAndrocles and the Lion is a 1912 play written by George Bernard Shaw.Androcles and the Lion is Shaw's retelling of the tale of Androcles, a slave who is saved by the requited mercy of a lion. In the play, Shaw makes Androcles out to be one of many Christians being led to the Colosseum for torture. Characters in the play exemplify several themes and takes on both modern and supposed early Christianity, including cultural clash between Jesus' teachings and traditional Roman values.
Andromache, by Racine
by Richard WilburA skillful translation of the classical French tragedy about the captivity of Hector's wife after her abduction by the son of Achilles. The rhymed couplets retain the simplicity of form and powerful language of the original. "[This translation] is a striking tour de force" (Hudson Review). Drawings by Igor Tulipanov.
Andromache, Hecuba, Trojan Women
by Diane Arnson Svarlien Euripides Ruth ScodelDiane Arnson Svarlien's translation of Euripides' Andromache, Hecuba, and Trojan Women exhibits the same scholarly and poetic standards that have won praise for her Alcestis, Medea, Hippolytus. Ruth Scodel's Introduction examines the cultural and political context in which Euripides wrote, and provides analysis of the themes, structure, and characters of the plays included. Her notes offer expert guidance to readers encountering these works for the first time.
Andy's Gone
by Marie-Claude VerdierWhat stories do we tell ourselves to keep our walls up and our privilege intact? What is the cost of revolution? In this contemporary retelling of Antigone, denial of what rages outside of a city’s perimeter comes to a head when a young princess named Alison tries to expose the truth of her beloved cousin Henry’s death. By night, Henry went as Andy, as together he and Alison scaled the walls of their kingdom to help the migrants who are kept out of sight. Burdened by the weight of the inequality that his future reign represented, he killed himself. But his mother, Queen Regina, hails his death as a valiant knight and will do anything she can to keep Alison silent. The two women become locked in a poetic battle of power and prejudice, until a push turning into a shove might mean it’s too late to find peace.
Angel on My Shoulder: A Comedy
by Stephen LeviA beautiful young book illustrator is having an affair with her dream man, a ruggedly attractive owner of a demolition company. When he announces his intention to leave his family, Donna gets looped and awakes in the arms of an angelic looking man with "Wings" printed on his sweat shirt. He seems to know everything about her, including her present predicament. Complications ensue when the lover shows up suitcase in hand to discover Donna is sharing her apartment with her "guardian angel." Laughs and surprises come fast and furious as the men vie for Donna's affections.
Angel Street
by Patrick HamiltonMelodrama, 2 m, 3 f, 2 extras; A Broadway hit first produced on the West End under the title Gaslight and filmed twice, Angel Street tells the story of the Manninghams who live on Angel Street in 19th Century London. As the curtain rises, all appears the essence of Victorian tranquility. It is soon apparent however, that Mr. Manningham, a suavely handsome man, is slowly driving his gentle, devoted wife Bella, to the brink of insanity with an insinuating kindness which masks more sinsister motives. While he is out, Mrs. Manningham has an unexpected caller: amiable, paternal Inspector Rough from Scotland Yard. Rough is convinced that Manningham is a homicidal maniac wanted for a murder committed fifteen years earlier in this very house. Gradually the inspector restores Bella's confidence in herself and as the evidence against Manningham unfolds, the author has built and sustained some of the most brilliant, suspenseful sequences in modern theatre.
Angel with broken wings
by Ronyfer Federico RenziStories of struggle and perseverance of one of the many political refugees who had to leave their Latin American country to try their luck in one of the countries called "first world". Juan Ramon emigrated from his native Guatemala to take refuge with his wife Flor de Maria, escaping from the institutionalized repression, to face the cold and xenophobic Canadian society.Then; he suffers, as so many thousands of displaced and dispossessed who have lost everything. Or almost everything; because it perseverance, courage, love of life and capacity for solidarity is.