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In "She Stoops to Comedy," Alexandra Page, a self-involved actress,
known for her portrayals of tragic heroines, disguises herself as a
man in order to play Orlando opposite her girlfriend, Alison Rose,
who has been cast as Rosalind in an out-of-town production of "As
You Like It." Because the role of Alexandra is played by a man, her
transformation does not require the use of drag. And because the
other actors in the "As You Like It" cast are friends of Alexandra
and Alison - and the "disguise" so effective - Alexandra has an
opportunity to not only hear what people really think of her, but
to be made privy to the inner lives of her friends and colleagues.
The play examines the friendships and love relationships of its
seven characters, and plays with the nature of authenticity - both
on and off the stage.
In Go Back to Where You Are God offers Passalus, a failed actor
from ancient Athens festering in hell, the opportunity of
redemption by returning to Earth to free a young woman from her
domineering mother, Claire, a distinguished stage actress. Passalus
accepts the proposal with the understanding that on completing his
mission his soul be annihilated. God agrees - with the caveat that
Passalus not become entangled in the lives of others. Granted the
ability to shape-shift, Passalus assumes the role of a British
matron and former actress, arriving at Claire's summer home during
a week-end in which she is hosting friends and family. But Passalus
is also equipped to hear the inner thoughts of the characters he
encounters - and armed with knowledge of their suffering is unable
to remain aloof. He also finds himself falling in love with
Claire's brother, Bernard, the underappreciated author of eccentric
comedies. The play dramatizes second chances in love - and love
that facilitates the soul's release from hell into life again.
Playwright and actor David Greenspan has been a leading figure in
Manhattan's downtown performance scene for over twenty years. His
numerous accolades include a Guggenheim fellowship and four Obie
Awards for his acting and writing, and most recently a fifth Obie
for Sustained Achievement. Tony Kushner once declared Greenspan
"probably all-around the most talented theater artist of my
generation," and the New York Times has called his performances
"irresistible." The Myopia and Other Plays brings together five of
Greenspan's most important works, accompanied by a critical
introduction and new interview with the playwright. Greenspan's
work -often semiautobiographical, always psychologically intense-
deals with issues of memory, family, doubt, and sexuality. The
plays in this collection take particular interest in the
motivations for erotic and aesthetic expression, forces
inextricably linked in Greenspan's world. Critic and scholar Marc
Robinson's informative introduction and lively interview with
Greenspan further increase the collection's appeal to lovers of
inventive playwriting, as well as students and scholars in the
fields of Performance Studies, English, American Studies, and LGBT
Studies.
Playwright and actor David Greenspan has been a leading figure in
Manhattan's downtown performance scene for over twenty years. His
numerous accolades include a Guggenheim fellowship and four Obie
Awards for his acting and writing, and most recently a fifth Obie
for Sustained Achievement. Tony Kushner once declared Greenspan
"probably all-around the most talented theater artist of my
generation," and the New York Times has called his performances
"irresistible." The Myopia and Other Plays brings together five of
Greenspan's most important works, accompanied by a critical
introduction and new interview with the playwright. Greenspan's
work -often semiautobiographical, always psychologically intense-
deals with issues of memory, family, doubt, and sexuality. The
plays in this collection take particular interest in the
motivations for erotic and aesthetic expression, forces
inextricably linked in Greenspan's world. Critic and scholar Marc
Robinson's informative introduction and lively interview with
Greenspan further increase the collection's appeal to lovers of
inventive playwriting, as well as students and scholars in the
fields of Performance Studies, English, American Studies, and LGBT
Studies.
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