The Nature and Purpose of the Universe ; Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes ; Dentity Crisis

The Nature and Purpose of the Universe ; Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes ; Dentity Crisis

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher:

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"[The Nature and Purpose of the Universe] centers on a week in the beleaguered life of Eleanor Mann, housewife and mother, who lives with her religious fanatic husband and three sons; the oldest a pimp and dope pusher; the middle son a flagrant homosexual; and the youngest the victim of a threshing machine accident which has deprived him of his manhood. The family becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate the Pope, who is coming to New Jersey to bless the air, and with the help of a radical black nun succeeds in its purpose—with unexpectedly hilarious results. [In Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes] the scene is a decaying mansion occupied by a family beset by all manner of problems: conceit, hatred, selfishness, incest and cruelty—all dealt with in an ironic, highly theatrical manner which offers rare acting opportunities for the performers involved. Throughout, and despite the horrors encountered, all exude a kind of bland innocence which, oddly enough, seems to excuse their otherwise inexcusable behavior—and underscores the biting irony of what takes place. [In 'Dentity Crisis] recovering from a nervous breakdown, Jane is nursed and nagged by her relentlessly cheerful mother, and confused by her oversexed brother—who keeps changing into her father, her grandfather and her mother’s French lover. Eventually all (including Jane’s psychiatrist, who undergoes a sex change operation and swaps places with his wife) change characters again and become Jane herself—leaving her with no identity at all and pointing up the near impossibility of self-identification in our uncertain times." -- Publisher's website.


Book Synopsis The Nature and Purpose of the Universe ; Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes ; Dentity Crisis by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book The Nature and Purpose of the Universe ; Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes ; Dentity Crisis written by Christopher Durang and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "[The Nature and Purpose of the Universe] centers on a week in the beleaguered life of Eleanor Mann, housewife and mother, who lives with her religious fanatic husband and three sons; the oldest a pimp and dope pusher; the middle son a flagrant homosexual; and the youngest the victim of a threshing machine accident which has deprived him of his manhood. The family becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate the Pope, who is coming to New Jersey to bless the air, and with the help of a radical black nun succeeds in its purpose—with unexpectedly hilarious results. [In Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes] the scene is a decaying mansion occupied by a family beset by all manner of problems: conceit, hatred, selfishness, incest and cruelty—all dealt with in an ironic, highly theatrical manner which offers rare acting opportunities for the performers involved. Throughout, and despite the horrors encountered, all exude a kind of bland innocence which, oddly enough, seems to excuse their otherwise inexcusable behavior—and underscores the biting irony of what takes place. [In 'Dentity Crisis] recovering from a nervous breakdown, Jane is nursed and nagged by her relentlessly cheerful mother, and confused by her oversexed brother—who keeps changing into her father, her grandfather and her mother’s French lover. Eventually all (including Jane’s psychiatrist, who undergoes a sex change operation and swaps places with his wife) change characters again and become Jane herself—leaving her with no identity at all and pointing up the near impossibility of self-identification in our uncertain times." -- Publisher's website.


Three Short Plays by Christopher Durang

Three Short Plays by Christopher Durang

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Dramatists Play Service Inc

Published: 1979

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13: 9780822203414

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

THE STORIES: THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSE. Centers on a week in the beleaguered life of Eleanor Mann, housewife and mother, who lives with her religious fanatic husband and three sons; the oldest a pimp and dope pusher; the middle son a flagrant


Book Synopsis Three Short Plays by Christopher Durang by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Three Short Plays by Christopher Durang written by Christopher Durang and published by Dramatists Play Service Inc. This book was released on 1979 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE STORIES: THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSE. Centers on a week in the beleaguered life of Eleanor Mann, housewife and mother, who lives with her religious fanatic husband and three sons; the oldest a pimp and dope pusher; the middle son a flagrant


Durang/Durang

Durang/Durang

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9780822214601

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

...eloquently dramatizes questions of responsibility, guilt and pathology...the complex moral issues are translated into challenging story theater, like a cubist portrait of grief...Homage must be paid, this grieving mother cries to the stars, and Medoff answe The mysteries of life, death and survival in the city, of friendships among women and relationships between the sexes are explored...in Jacquelyn Reingold's GIRL GONE...the playwright display[s] admirable talent and generate[s] plenty of interest, tension an


Book Synopsis Durang/Durang by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Durang/Durang written by Christopher Durang and published by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.. This book was released on 1996 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ...eloquently dramatizes questions of responsibility, guilt and pathology...the complex moral issues are translated into challenging story theater, like a cubist portrait of grief...Homage must be paid, this grieving mother cries to the stars, and Medoff answe The mysteries of life, death and survival in the city, of friendships among women and relationships between the sexes are explored...in Jacquelyn Reingold's GIRL GONE...the playwright display[s] admirable talent and generate[s] plenty of interest, tension an


Naomi in the Living Room & Other Short Plays

Naomi in the Living Room & Other Short Plays

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Dramatists Play Service Inc

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 9780822214489

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

THE STORIES: NAOMI IN THE LIVING ROOM. Naomi, when visited by John and Johnna, her son and daughter-in-law, is alternately friendly and insulting. Johnna copes her best, but when John changes his clothes to look like Johnna, things start to unravel


Book Synopsis Naomi in the Living Room & Other Short Plays by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Naomi in the Living Room & Other Short Plays written by Christopher Durang and published by Dramatists Play Service Inc. This book was released on 1998 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE STORIES: NAOMI IN THE LIVING ROOM. Naomi, when visited by John and Johnna, her son and daughter-in-law, is alternately friendly and insulting. Johnna copes her best, but when John changes his clothes to look like Johnna, things start to unravel


Christopher Durang Explains It All for You

Christopher Durang Explains It All for You

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Grove Press

Published: 2017-09-12

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 0802188923

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A collection of dark comedies about terrible therapists, dysfunctional parents, and more, from a winner of a Tony Award for Best Play and three Obies. Known for his dark, absurd humor and social commentary, Christopher Durang explores the pain and confusion of everyday life—and makes audiences laugh uproariously at the results. Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, the center of a storm of controversy for its satire of misplaced trust in religious authority, remains as powerful today as when it was originally produced. The excruciatingly funny The Nature and Purpose of the Universe asks whether Eleanor Mann’s Job-like suffering is really her fault, while Titanic takes us into the heart of children’s anger with their parents and parents’ manipulation of their children. In Beyond Therapy, two horrifyingly human therapists pursue their own needs at the expense of the most mismatched couple ever to meet through a personal ad. Also including ’Dentity Crisis and The Actor’s Nightmare, this collection demonstrates that laughter is the best surgery, slicing through prejudice and hypocrisy, cutting out dead beliefs and inflamed opinions. These black comedies, lit by lightning bolts of truth and humor, come from “one of the most explosively funny American dramatists” (Newsweek). Includes: The Nature and Purpose of the Universe ’Dentity Crisis Titanic The Actor’s Nightmare Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You Beyond Therapy


Book Synopsis Christopher Durang Explains It All for You by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Christopher Durang Explains It All for You written by Christopher Durang and published by Grove Press. This book was released on 2017-09-12 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of dark comedies about terrible therapists, dysfunctional parents, and more, from a winner of a Tony Award for Best Play and three Obies. Known for his dark, absurd humor and social commentary, Christopher Durang explores the pain and confusion of everyday life—and makes audiences laugh uproariously at the results. Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, the center of a storm of controversy for its satire of misplaced trust in religious authority, remains as powerful today as when it was originally produced. The excruciatingly funny The Nature and Purpose of the Universe asks whether Eleanor Mann’s Job-like suffering is really her fault, while Titanic takes us into the heart of children’s anger with their parents and parents’ manipulation of their children. In Beyond Therapy, two horrifyingly human therapists pursue their own needs at the expense of the most mismatched couple ever to meet through a personal ad. Also including ’Dentity Crisis and The Actor’s Nightmare, this collection demonstrates that laughter is the best surgery, slicing through prejudice and hypocrisy, cutting out dead beliefs and inflamed opinions. These black comedies, lit by lightning bolts of truth and humor, come from “one of the most explosively funny American dramatists” (Newsweek). Includes: The Nature and Purpose of the Universe ’Dentity Crisis Titanic The Actor’s Nightmare Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You Beyond Therapy


27 Short Plays

27 Short Plays

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Smith & Kraus

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 9781880399897

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis 27 Short Plays by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book 27 Short Plays written by Christopher Durang and published by Smith & Kraus. This book was released on 1995 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


27 Short Plays

27 Short Plays

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Smith & Kraus

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 434

ISBN-13: 9781880399897

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis 27 Short Plays by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book 27 Short Plays written by Christopher Durang and published by Smith & Kraus. This book was released on 1995 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All for You ; And, The Actor's Nightmare

Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All for You ; And, The Actor's Nightmare

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Published: 1982

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 9780822210351

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

THE STORIES: SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU. Sister Mary Ignatius, a teaching nun who is much concerned with sin in all of its various forms, delivers a cautionary lecture to her charges. One of them, a precocious little boy named Tho


Book Synopsis Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All for You ; And, The Actor's Nightmare by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All for You ; And, The Actor's Nightmare written by Christopher Durang and published by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.. This book was released on 1982 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE STORIES: SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU. Sister Mary Ignatius, a teaching nun who is much concerned with sin in all of its various forms, delivers a cautionary lecture to her charges. One of them, a precocious little boy named Tho


Titanic

Titanic

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Dramatists Play Service Inc

Published: 1983

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 9780822211556

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

THE STORY: Amid a tangle of changing identities-and sometimes sexes-the action of the play centers on an American family, the Tammurais, who are traveling aboard the Titanic. Comprised of father, mother, brother and sister (or is she actually the Captain's daughter?) the Tammurais undergo a series of sexual permutations as they reveal all manner of shocking secrets and bizarre fetishes while awaiting the iceberg which, somehow, the ship seems unable to find. The mother tells the father that their son is not really his; the father confesses to the mother that their daughter is not really hers; the daughter mysteriously becomes an aunt who is having an affair with her sister (when she isn't seducing her nephew); while the father and son compete vigorously for the affections of a handsome young sailor, who is hard put to choose between them. Eventually the ship does go down, taking its odd assemblage of passengers with it, but leaving behind a remarkable array of original thoughts on the nature of the modern American family and the undeniably disturbed society which nurtures it.


Book Synopsis Titanic by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Titanic written by Christopher Durang and published by Dramatists Play Service Inc. This book was released on 1983 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE STORY: Amid a tangle of changing identities-and sometimes sexes-the action of the play centers on an American family, the Tammurais, who are traveling aboard the Titanic. Comprised of father, mother, brother and sister (or is she actually the Captain's daughter?) the Tammurais undergo a series of sexual permutations as they reveal all manner of shocking secrets and bizarre fetishes while awaiting the iceberg which, somehow, the ship seems unable to find. The mother tells the father that their son is not really his; the father confesses to the mother that their daughter is not really hers; the daughter mysteriously becomes an aunt who is having an affair with her sister (when she isn't seducing her nephew); while the father and son compete vigorously for the affections of a handsome young sailor, who is hard put to choose between them. Eventually the ship does go down, taking its odd assemblage of passengers with it, but leaving behind a remarkable array of original thoughts on the nature of the modern American family and the undeniably disturbed society which nurtures it.


Baby with the Bathwater

Baby with the Bathwater

Author: Christopher Durang

Publisher: Dramatists Play Service Inc

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 9780822200840

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

THE STORY: As the play begins Helen and John gaze proudly at their new offspring, a bit disappointed that it doesn't speak English and too polite to check its sex. So they decide that the child is a girl and name it Daisy--which leads to all manner


Book Synopsis Baby with the Bathwater by : Christopher Durang

Download or read book Baby with the Bathwater written by Christopher Durang and published by Dramatists Play Service Inc. This book was released on 1984 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE STORY: As the play begins Helen and John gaze proudly at their new offspring, a bit disappointed that it doesn't speak English and too polite to check its sex. So they decide that the child is a girl and name it Daisy--which leads to all manner