Looking Back at Forgotten Plays by Black Playwrights – Almost 70 Years Later, Take a Giant Step Remains a Vital American Play
“Scholars have speculated that Charles Dickens’ 1843 holiday classic may be the ‘most adapted’ text in the English language.” – Katie Birenboim
“Although it wasn’t identified then as such, Broadway got its first Christmas song on Oct. 13, 1903. In the 117 years since, the sweeping swirl of Victor Herbert’s “Toyland” from Babes in Toyland has come to epitomize the joyful spirit of the season.” – Harry Haun
“But why? What is it about this type of show that’s so appealing?” – Mark Blankenship
“I’ve never had a greater or more satisfying stage experience in my entire career.” – Neil LaBute
As we approach another election, it’s a good time to survey how dramatists have imagined the Commander-in-Chief, because no matter who wins in November, he’ll likely find himself in a play soon enough.
That’s the kind of story, in fact, that could become the basis of a play.
As early as the 1930s, there were attempts to record the scores to Broadway shows. But technology made distributing those recordings in any reasonable way something of a challenge.
Nostalgia has always been a powerful force in the theater – and right now, it’s stronger than ever.
“We decided we were doing Waa-Mu. No matter what.”
