5 Reasons to Introduce Students to the Work of Christopher Durang
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed.
In this week's email, we give you five reasons why you should introduce your theatre students to the work of the late Christopher Durang. We also pay tribute to Durang, who passed away this week. Plus, we catch you up on the most important theatre news and stories from the past week.
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and let's dive into another thrilling week in the world of theatre. Welcome to The Scene.
Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, Ephraim Sykes, More to Star in Our Town on Broadway by Molly Higgins, Playbill | Tony winner Kenny Leon directs the Thornton Wilder revival, which has also set dates and a theatre. Read...
Infusing New York City into the Choreography of Hell’s Kitchen by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | Two-time Tony-nominated choreographer Camille A. Brown discusses rooting her movement for the new Alicia Keys musical in the city’s culture. Read...
Wet Brain Leads 2024 Lucille Lortel Award Nominations by Molly Higgins, Playbill | Lempicka stars Amber Iman and George Abud announced the nominees for this year's edition of the Off-Broadway honors. Read...
Dominique Morisseau, Samuel D. Hunter, Sarah Ruhl Plays Set for Signature's 2024-2025 Season by Meg Masseron, Playbill | A developmental presentation of a Melis Aker play will also be part of Artistic Director Paige Evans' final season with the Off-Broadway company. Read...
Watch the cast of Broadway's Stereophonic Perform 'Masquerade' by Margaret Hall, Playbill | The new play by David Adjmi, with music by Arcade Fire's Will Butler, played its first performance at the Golden April 2. Read...
Little-Known Theater Jobs: Child Guardian by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | Ilana Bolotsky and Felicia Shulman share details about their careers as child guardians on Broadway — and how it also led to their engagement. Read...
For Len Cariou, Dying Onstage Each Night Has Been ‘Invigorating’ by Sarah Bahr, The New York Times | In “Tuesdays With Morrie,” the 84-year-old actor was eager to tackle “a rich role in a show that asks, ‘What if despair and death are not the end?’” Read...
Actor Jessica Lange and Playwright Paula Vogel on Creating New Possibilities for Theater by Ariana Marsh, Bazaar | The two connected to discuss Mother Play, Vogel’s forthcoming Broadway show in which Lange stars. Read...
Michael Imperioli Is Making His Broadway Debut, But He Actually Used to Run a Theatre by Talaura Harms, Playbill | The White Lotus and Sopranos Emmy winner stars alongside Jeremy Strong in An Enemy of the People at Circle in the Square Theatre. Read...
The Big Idea
5 Reasons to Introduce Students to the Work of Christopher Durang
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of theatre education, it's essential to expose students to a wide range of playwrights who have significantly impacted the stage. Christopher Durang, with his distinctive voice and unparalleled wit, stood out as a playwright whose work your theatre students should explore. With his death this week, the Scene has heard from numerous educators asking specifically about Durang and his work. So, for all the educators who have reached out and in honor of the late playwright, here are 5 reasons you should introduce your theatre students to the work of Christopher Durang.
Embracing the Absurd and the Comical: Durang’s plays are a masterclass in the art of blending the absurd with the comical, offering a unique lens through which to view the world. His works, including Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, The Actor’s Nightmare, Baby with the Bathwater, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Betty's Summer Vacation, and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, provide students with examples of how humor can be used to tackle serious themes. Learning from Durang, students can appreciate the power of comedy to discuss topics like family dynamics, mental health, and existential dread, making these complex subjects more accessible and engaging.
Cultivating Empathy through Satire: Durang is a maestro of satire, and his plays often sharply critique society and human behavior. However, beneath the surface of his scathing humor, there's a deep well of empathy for his characters. This dichotomy between satire and compassion in Durang’s work can help students develop a nuanced understanding of empathy. By analyzing Durang's characters, who are often flawed yet deeply human, students learn to approach real-world issues with a balanced perspective, fostering empathy toward others’ experiences and viewpoints.
Understanding Contemporary Theatre: Durang's influence on contemporary theatre is profound. His innovative narratives and character archetypes have become benchmarks for modern playwriting. Introducing your students to Durang's works offers them a glimpse into the evolution of contemporary theatre, showcasing how playwrights can reflect and influence societal norms and values. This understanding is crucial for students aspiring to contribute to the theatre landscape, providing them with a foundation to develop their own innovative and relevant works.
Enhancing Analytical Skills: Durang’s plays are rich with themes, motifs, and symbols that challenge students to think critically. Analyzing his work requires a keen eye for detail and the ability to interpret underlying meanings in seemingly absurd or comical situations. This analytical practice not only enhances students' literary analysis skills but also encourages them to look beyond the surface in everyday life, promoting a deeper understanding of the complexities of human nature and society.
Fostering Creativity and Innovation: Finally, Durang’s willingness to break the mold and explore uncharted territories in playwriting serves as a powerful inspiration for students. His approach to character development, plot structure, and dialogue encourages students to embrace their creativity and think outside the box. By studying Durang, students learn the importance of innovation in art and are encouraged to take risks in their own creative endeavors.
Incorporating Christopher Durang into your theatre classroom is not just about studying his plays; it's about offering students a comprehensive learning experience that blends humor, empathy, critical thinking, and creativity. Durang’s works challenge students to see the world differently and inspire them to make their mark on the theatre, armed with a pen as mighty as their imagination. By introducing your students to Christopher Durang, you're not just teaching them about a playwright; you're opening a door to a world where theatre is a mirror to society, reflecting the good, the bad, and everything in between.
The Spotlight
Celebrating Christopher Durang: A Tribute
Christopher Durang, a luminary in the realm of American theatre, leaves behind a legacy as complex and captivating as his myriad of plays. Durang, who passed away this week, was not just a playwright; he was a satirist, an actor, a teacher, and an irreverent observer of the human condition, wielding his pen with unmatched wit and a poignant sense of the absurd. His work, spanning decades, resonates with audiences for its daring comedy, its dark undercurrents, and its unflinching exploration of the human psyche.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Durang was gifted with an innate talent for comedy and an incisive eye for societal critique. Durang embarked on his journey in the arts with a solid foundation, earning a B.A. in English from Harvard and an M.F.A. in Playwriting from Yale School of Drama. It was at Yale that Durang's flair for dramatic arts truly began to shine, notably through his involvement with the Yale Cabaret. It was here that he co-authored and performed in avant-garde cabaret pieces, collaborating with fellow students, including Albert Innaurato and Wendy Wasserstein, indicating his early penchant for blending critical wit with entertainment.
Durang's professional career kicked off soon after with The Idiots Karamazov, a play he co-authored with Innaurato and featured a nascent Meryl Streep, which heralded the arrival of a bold new talent. A series of off-Broadway and Broadway hits, including Titanic, The Nature And Purpose of The Universe, and the Tony-nominated A History Of The American Film, swiftly followed, quickly garnering Durang critical acclaim and a devoted following.
Perhaps what sets Durang apart most distinctly is his unique stylistic approach to playwriting. Through his satirical lens, Durang dissected societal norms, religious dogmas, and the intricacies of human relationships. Perhaps no other play better encapsulates Durang's genius than Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You. This darkly comedic masterpiece not only won the Obie Awards for Durang but also sparked conversations around the themes of faith, authority, and belief. Its success led to a fruitful partnership with Playwrights Horizons and a commercial production that ran for over two and a half years.
The 1980s saw Durang's foray into television and film, showcasing his versatility and wide-ranging talent. Yet, it was his work for the stage with plays like Beyond Therapy, The Actor’s Nightmare, Baby With The Bathwater, and The Marriage of Bette and Boo that solidified his place as a theatrical force. These plays blended Durang's signature wit with poignant observations on the human condition.
Starting in the late 1990s, Durang began exploring new mediums and themes, from his off-Broadway musical Adrift In Macao to his television work. It was, however, his continued commitment to the theater that truly stood out, with some of his most successful plays being written, including Betty's Summer Vacation, Miss Witherspoon, and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, proving that his ability to entertain and provoke thought remained undiminished.
Durang's influence on American theater is undeniable. His awards, including multiple Obie Awards, Drama Desk nominations, the Sidney Kingsley Playwriting Award, and the Tony Award for Best Play for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, attest to his impact and excellence in the field. Furthermore, his tenure as co-chair of the Playwriting Program at the Juilliard School, alongside Marsha Norman, highlights his commitment to nurturing the next generation of playwrights. His legacy is not just in the plays he wrote but also in the countless students he mentored, emphasizing the role of educators in shaping future talents.
In remembering Christopher Durang, we celebrate not only his contributions to the arts but the spirit with which he approached his craft. His plays, a blend of satire, dark comedy, parody, and the absurd, continue to inspire laughter and reflection, reminding us of the transformative power of theatre. As we mourn his passing, we also honor his enduring influence—a legacy of laughter, insight, and an unwavering commitment to exploring the depths of the human experience through comedy.
Christopher Durang's journey from a young, aspiring playwright to a celebrated master of comedy and satire mirrors the unpredictable, often absurd path of life he so brilliantly depicted in his work. As we bid farewell to a truly unique voice in American theatre, we find comfort in the laughter he has left behind, a beacon for those navigating the complexities of life and art. Durang may have departed the stage of life, but his work remains a testament to the enduring power of humor to reveal, heal, and connect us all.
Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster and Zizi Strallen to Star in Oklahoma! London Concert by Darryl King, Broadway Buzz | Dunster will play Curly opposite Strallen's Laurey in the London concert production. Read...
Start Your Engines! More Than 1300 Shows Announced for 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe by Margaret Hall, Playbill | After a steady trickle of larger venues announcing their individual seasons, the floodgates have opened. Read...
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) Musical Transfers to the West End by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The two-hander stars Dear Evan Hansen's Sam Tutty and Dujonna Gift. Read...
See Who's Joining London's 15th Anniversary Spring Awakening Concert by Margaret Hall, Playbill | The concert will raise funds to support original West End producer Imogen Kinchin's cancer treatment. Read...
Actors Theatre of Louisville’s New Season Promises Drag, Dracula And Women’s Basketball by William Padmore, Louisville Public Media | Celebrating 50 years as the State Theatre of Kentucky, Actors Theatre of Louisville's latest season includes new takes on classics, premiere work, and local talent. Read...
Baltimore Theatre Companies to Present Citywide August Wilson Century Cycle Celebration by Margaret Hall, Playbill | Ten companies will participate in the three-year project, presenting all of the late playwright's Century Cycle. Read...
The Shark is Broken, King James, What the Constitution Means to Me, and More Headed for George Street Playhouse by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The New Jersey company has unveiled its complete 2024–2025 season. Read...
Liisi LaFontaine, Ciara Renée, Hunter Parrish, More Star in Gun & Powder Musical at Paper Mill by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Stevie Walker-Webb directs with choreography by Tiffany Rea-Fisher. Read...
Free Read of the Week
You can read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the Play’s title, the image below, or the button below to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!
I'm A Teenager Get Me Out of This Family by Jim Garvey
The Story: Living with parents can be rough, especially when Mom and Dad are nothing but ordinary. So when Julie and her mother get into a battle over curfew, Julie convinces her brother Johnnie to hold interviews for new and improved parents. Not to be outdone, Mom and Dad conduct their own interviews for new children. Faced with interviewees ranging from a militant father to a get-rich-quick-scheming child, "ordinary" doesn't look so bad anymore.
Comedy | 20 - 30 minutes | 2 W, 2 M, 15 Any (4-19 actors possible: 2-15 W, 2-15 M) | Set: None.
Thank you for the Tribute to Durang.