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Book cover of Shepard In an Hour
U.S. & Canadian Drama - Literary Criticism, Theater - History & Criticism, General & Miscellaneous Performing Arts, Theater - General & Miscellaneous

Shepard In an Hour

by Laura Graham
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Overview

In 1962, a nineteen-year-old Sam Shepard escaped from his dysfunctional home in Duarte, California and headed to New York City, where he launched his successful career as an actor, director, and playwright. Though he left his family, the memory of his family—especially his father, a World War II veteran, alcoholic, and recluse—never left him. In plays like Holy Ghostly, Curse of the Starving Class, and Buried Child, Shepard masters the age-old Oedipal theme, but with a modern twist.

Setting the playwright in context to his personal life, social, historical and political events, other writers of influence, and more, you will quickly gain a deep understanding of Sam Shepard and the plays he wrote. Read Shepard in an Hour and experience his plays like never before. Know the playwright, love the play!

The book features:

• Shepard in an Hour, the primary essay in the book

• Shepard In a Minute, a snapshot chronology

• A complete listing of Shepard's work

• A list of Shepard's contemporaries in all fields

• Excerpts from Shepard's major plays

• An extensive bibliography grouped according to type of reader

• An index of the main essay.

Playwrights in an Hour is a series devoted to the most produced and studied playwrights in the English language, from the Greek masters to contemporary writers, and written by leading authorities in the field. Each short book places the playwright and his or her work in historical, social, and literary context.

Synopsis

In 1962, a nineteen-year-old Sam Shepard escaped from his dysfunctional home in Duarte, California and headed to New York City, where he launched his successful career as an actor, director, and playwright. Though he left his family, the memory of his family—especially his father, a World War II veteran, alcoholic, and recluse—never left him. In plays like Holy Ghostly, Curse of the Starving Class, and Buried Child, Shepard masters the age-old Oedipal theme, but with a modern twist.

Setting the playwright in context to his personal life, social, historical and political events, other writers of influence, and more, you will quickly gain a deep understanding of Sam Shepard and the plays he wrote. Read Shepard in an Hour and experience his plays like never before. Know the playwright, love the play!

The book features:

• Shepard in an Hour, the primary essay in the book

• Shepard In a Minute, a snapshot chronology

• A complete listing of Shepard's work

• A list of Shepard's contemporaries in all fields

• Excerpts from Shepard's major plays

• An extensive bibliography grouped according to type of reader

• An index of the main essay.

Playwrights in an Hour is a series devoted to the most produced and studied playwrights in the English language, from the Greek masters to contemporary writers, and written by leading authorities in the field. Each short book places the playwright and his or her work in historical, social, and literary context.

Examiner.com

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a quick and easy alternative to Wikipedia ...

About the Author, Laura Graham

Laura Graham's specializations include Critical Studies in Modern and Contemporary British and American Drama, Directing and Studies in Performance Theory. Dr. Graham has produced and directed many works by Sam Shepard, and is the author of numerous articles and the book, Sam Shepard: Theme, Image and The Director.

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Editorials

American Theatre Magazine

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a kind of Great Playwrights for Dummies series ...they are brisk and lively

Examiner.com

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a quick and easy alternative to Wikipedia ...

LA Times Online

Is there a more trustworthy source [than Wikipedia] that can offer a quick fix of theatrical knowledge? The publishing house Smith & Kraus perhaps has the answer... ? a kind of Red Bull for theater buffs ...

Midwest Book Review

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is]...remarkable....outstanding, yet inexpensive, and thoroughly 'reader frendly', making it a strongly recommended supplement for academic curriculums, community theater groups, and public library collections.

Stage Directions

These 27 [of the Playwrights in an Hour Series] books should be especially welcomed by actors and directors.

The Dartmouth

[Playwrights in an Hour Series is] a succinct crash course on the lives of 27 influential dramatists throughout history ...

Washington Post

... each book [of the Playwrights in an Hour Series] contains a wealth of information ... that will get any novice out of a date jam or provide a veteran playgoer with fresh insights on an old favorite... . The series delivers succinctness with depth.

Book Details

Published
April 1, 2010
Publisher
In An Hour Books
Pages
112
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781936232253

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