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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
 Posted - 05/04/2004 : 06:53:52
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Is anyone here familiar with Sam Shepard's Plays.....of course he is a well known actor, but before he played in films, he was considered the best new american playwright in the late 70s. He collaborated with Patti Smith and was also a bit of a rock musician. His themes are almost always the same: The Lie That Is American Life.
I have read most of his plays, my favorite being "True West". I remember seeing a PBS production of the play starring Gary Sinise and John Malkovich....it was unreal. (coincidently, John C Reilly and Philip Seymour Hoffman performed the play 3 years ago in the Circle in the Square theatre: adding a twisted dimension whereby the actors would switch roles everyday>>>which, in my opinion reinforces Shepard's metaphor of the dual nature of the brothers).
Anyhow I was wondering if any of you are familiar with his stage work. I have been trying to get my hands on the PBS production for awhile now. |
Edited by - frank_black_francis on 05/04/2004 06:55:56 |
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2004 : 07:04:52
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I remember reading about the John C. Reily and Philip Seymour Hoffman version which I would have killed to see because I adore them both, but I don't know much else about Sam Shepards plays. I have read some of his fiction writing in the New Yorker though - he also wrote a few books, I believe. Smart man! I love him in CRIMES OF THE HEART, that is such a good movie (based on a play), I think that is where he met Jessica Lange as well.
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there's fire if you want it, let me know. I'm sick and tired of letting go... |
Edited by - ramona on 05/04/2004 07:05:40 |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2004 : 07:22:09
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Shepard's gone through several phases in his playwriting career, and I really prefer his family plays--they're like Greek tragedy. My fave is True West as well (along with Buried Child). That PBS production is really hard to find; I taught it in both of my classes last year, and when the department's ancient tape crapped out and I ended up having to buy one off of ebay. I wish they would re-release it b/c it's a great production. (Also guaranteed to freak the students out every time. I like to watch them squirm.)
The theatre department where I occasionally teach did a production of Suicide in B-Flat last year and that was fun to watch--jazz, murder, surrealism and the myth of the American West all rolled into one.
 "Join the Cult of Derek/Lest you incur his Tubbycizing wrath" |
Edited by - mereubu on 05/05/2004 07:23:42 |
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Sam Shepard
