American Theatre: The Shows That Reloaded the Canon
Okay, hear’s a breakdown of the plays listed, categorized by some potential themes or characteristics. This is based on titles and brief descriptions from the links provided, so it’s not exhaustive, but aims to give a sense of the range.I’ll also note if a play seems particularly focused on a specific identity or experience.
I.Plays Dealing with Identity & Social Commentary (Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Politics)
* The Thanksgiving Play: (Satire) - Likely tackles issues of representation and cultural appropriation.
* The Chinese Lady: (Historical/Identity) – Focuses on the experience of a Chinese woman exhibited as a curiosity in the 19th century.
* Pass Over: (Race/Biblical Allegory) – Inspired by Waiting for Godot, explores the experiences of young Black men.
* Sojourners: (Immigration/Family) – an unfolding epic about an immigrant family.
* Vietgone: (Immigration/Vietnamese-American Experience) – A comedic and poignant look at Vietnamese refugees in America.
* Water by the Spoonful: (Latino/Family/Addiction) - Explores the lives of Puerto Rican family members dealing with addiction and trauma.
* The Mountaintop: (Race/History) – A fictionalized account of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night.
* The Trump Card: (Political Satire) – Clearly addresses the Trump era.
* Where We Belong: (native American/Identity) – Explores belonging and identity through a Native American lens.
* That Pretty Pretty; or, The Rape Play: (Gender/Trauma) - Directly confronts the issue of sexual assault.
* Is This a Room: (Political/Documentary) – Based on the transcript of the first impeachment inquiry of Donald Trump.
II. Musicals & Musically Inclined Plays
* Oh mama! (Mamma mia!): A popular jukebox musical.
* The Band’s Visit: (Musical/Cultural Exchange) – A gentle story about an Egyptian police band stranded in a small Israeli town.
* Once: (Musical/Romance) – Based on the film, a story of two musicians finding connection.
* The Drowsy Chaperone: (Musical/comedy) – A parody of 1920s musicals.
III. Plays Focused on Personal Relationships & Emotional Depth
* Dear Evan hansen: (Teenage Angst/Mental Health) – A contemporary musical dealing with social anxiety and grief.
* Becky Shaw: (Relationships/Dark Comedy) – Explores complex and dysfunctional relationships.
* You and Me and the Space Between: (Young Adult/Relationships) – A play for young audiences about connection.
IV. Plays with Unique Structures or Experimental Elements
* gone Missing: (Documentary Theater/Mystery) – The Civilians create shows based on interviews and research.
* Electricity: (Contemporary/Experimental) – Details are limited, but likely a contemporary work.
* The Lieutenant of Inishmore: (Dark Comedy/Absurdist) – Known for its violent and darkly humorous style.
V. Plays with Historical or Biographical Focus
* And in This Corner: Cassius Clay: (Biographical/Sports