2020thth Century American Drama: Century American Drama:An OverviewAn Overview

Important Trends and Playwrights Important Trends and Playwrights in the Move toward Modernismin the Move toward Modernism

Timeline of InnovationsTimeline of Innovations

1900: Dirigible, Hershey Bar,1900: Dirigible, Hershey Bar, Radio, Wireless Signaling Radio, Wireless Signaling

1901: Assembly Line1901: Assembly Line 1903: Airplane, Coat Hanger, Crayons, 1903: Airplane, Coat Hanger, Crayons,

Study of Radioactivity Study of Radioactivity 1905: Popsicle, Theory of Relativity1905: Popsicle, Theory of Relativity 1907: Paper Towels, Cellophane1907: Paper Towels, Cellophane

Timeline ContinuedTimeline Continued

1910-20: Life Savers, Mass Production, 1910-20: Life Savers, Mass Production, Zipper, Remote Control, Rocket, Zipper, Remote Control, Rocket, Traffic Light, Toaster, Tinker Toys.Traffic Light, Toaster, Tinker Toys.

1921-30: Wheaties, Blender, Bubble 1921-30: Wheaties, Blender, Bubble Gum, Television (1927), Penicillin.Gum, Television (1927), Penicillin.

1931-40: Ballpoint Pen, Trampoline, 1931-40: Ballpoint Pen, Trampoline, Shopping Cart, Nylon Stockings. Shopping Cart, Nylon Stockings.

Timeline ContinuedTimeline Continued

1941-50: Duct Tape, Nuclear Reaction, 1941-50: Duct Tape, Nuclear Reaction, Computer, Bikini, Microwave, Computer, Bikini, Microwave, Kitty Litter, Scrabble, Frisbee. Kitty Litter, Scrabble, Frisbee.

1951-60: Liquid Paper, RAM, Milk 1951-60: Liquid Paper, RAM, Milk Carton, Video Game, Barbie. Carton, Video Game, Barbie.

1961-70: Easy-Bake Oven, Lava Lamp, 1961-70: Easy-Bake Oven, Lava Lamp, Holography, Computer Mouse, Holography, Computer Mouse, Microprocessor. Microprocessor.

Timeline ContinuedTimeline Continued

1971-80: Karaoke, Internet/Ethernet, 1971-80: Karaoke, Internet/Ethernet, Post-It Notes, Rubik’s Post-It Notes, Rubik’s

Cube, Cube, Personal Personal Computer (1976), Computer (1976), PC PC Modem, Trivial Pursuit.Modem, Trivial Pursuit.

1981-90: Cabbage Patch Kids, www., 1981-90: Cabbage Patch Kids, www., Mobile Phone, Mobile Phone,

Teletubbies, Teletubbies, Google. Google.

Theatre in early 1900sTheatre in early 1900s

Classics still performedClassics still performed Melodramas popularMelodramas popular Minstrel Shows reflected racismMinstrel Shows reflected racism Theatre frowned upon sociallyTheatre frowned upon socially Burlesque pushed boundariesBurlesque pushed boundaries Technology created optionsTechnology created options Vaudeville became mainstreamVaudeville became mainstream

Emergence of American StyleEmergence of American Style

Theatre achieved legitimacyTheatre achieved legitimacy Superstars createdSuperstars created Early moving pictures competedEarly moving pictures competed Acting styles were more subtleActing styles were more subtle Realism borrowed from EuropeRealism borrowed from Europe

- Truth verified through scienceTruth verified through science- Scientific method of observation ruledScientific method of observation ruled- Human problems were the subject of scienceHuman problems were the subject of science

The Origins of RealismThe Origins of Realism

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) is considered to (1828-1906) is considered to be the father of modern realistic drama. be the father of modern realistic drama. His plays attacked society’s values and His plays attacked society’s values and dealt with unconventional subjects dealt with unconventional subjects within the form of the well-made play within the form of the well-made play (causally related). He became a model (causally related). He became a model for later realistic writers. for later realistic writers.

Ibsen’s PlaysIbsen’s Plays

GhostsGhosts—1881—dealt with the concept of the —1881—dealt with the concept of the sins of the father transferring to the son, sins of the father transferring to the son, resulting in syphilis.resulting in syphilis.

Hedda GablerHedda Gabler – – 1890 – a powerful woman 1890 – a powerful woman takes her life at the end of the play to get takes her life at the end of the play to get away from her boredom with society.away from her boredom with society.

A Doll’s HouseA Doll’s House – 1879 – Nora leaves her – 1879 – Nora leaves her husband Torvald and her children at the end husband Torvald and her children at the end of the play; often considered "the slam heard of the play; often considered "the slam heard around the world," Nora’s action must have around the world," Nora’s action must have been very shocking to the Victorian audience.been very shocking to the Victorian audience.

Other Realism PlaywrightsOther Realism Playwrights

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) – Uncommon for (1856-1950) – Uncommon for his witty humor, he made fun of English society for the purpose his witty humor, he made fun of English society for the purpose of educating and changing. His plays tended to show the of educating and changing. His plays tended to show the accepted attitude, and then demolished that attitude while accepted attitude, and then demolished that attitude while showing his own solutions.showing his own solutions.

Arms and the ManArms and the Man (1894) – about love and war and honor. (1894) – about love and war and honor. Mrs. Warren’s ProfessionMrs. Warren’s Profession – prostitution. – prostitution. Major BarbaraMajor Barbara (1905) – a munitions manufacturer gives more to (1905) – a munitions manufacturer gives more to

the world (jobs, etc.) while the Salvation Army only prolongs the the world (jobs, etc.) while the Salvation Army only prolongs the status quo.status quo.

PygmalionPygmalion (1913) – shows the transforming of a flower girl into (1913) – shows the transforming of a flower girl into a society woman, and exposes the phoniness of society. The a society woman, and exposes the phoniness of society. The musical musical My Fair Lady My Fair Lady was based on this play.was based on this play.

Other Realism PlaywrightsOther Realism Playwrights

Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)(1860-1904) The SeagullThe Seagull (1898)- about an actress and her (1898)- about an actress and her

family and their love interests who each are family and their love interests who each are frustrated by life.frustrated by life.

Three SistersThree Sisters (1900) –about three sisters who (1900) –about three sisters who want to move to Moscow but never do.want to move to Moscow but never do.

The Cherry OrchardThe Cherry Orchard (1902)- about a family (1902)- about a family symbolized by their surroundings being symbolized by their surroundings being destroyed.destroyed.

The Move to NaturalismThe Move to Naturalism While Ibsen was perfecting realism, Europe was While Ibsen was perfecting realism, Europe was

demanding a new drama based on Darwinism:demanding a new drama based on Darwinism:- all forms of life developed gradually from common ancestry, all forms of life developed gradually from common ancestry, - evolution of species is explained by survival of the fittest evolution of species is explained by survival of the fittest

The implications of Darwin’s ideas seemed to be that The implications of Darwin’s ideas seemed to be that - 1) heredity and environment control people; 1) heredity and environment control people; - 2) no person is responsible, since forces are beyond control; 2) no person is responsible, since forces are beyond control; - 3) the power must go to society; 3) the power must go to society; - 4) progress is the same as improvement/evolution; it is 4) progress is the same as improvement/evolution; it is

inevitable and can be hastened by the application of the inevitable and can be hastened by the application of the scientific method; scientific method;

- 5) man is reduced to a natural object.5) man is reduced to a natural object.

Reactions to NaturalismReactions to Naturalism

Advancements in Musical TheatreAdvancements in Musical Theatre- Addition of plots, not just revuesAddition of plots, not just revues- Show Boat-first real exampleShow Boat-first real example- Cole Porter made show tunes hitsCole Porter made show tunes hits- Oklahoma! Advanced story through dance & songOklahoma! Advanced story through dance & song

Effects of the Great DepressionEffects of the Great Depression- Federal Theatre Project created jobsFederal Theatre Project created jobs- Social Protest through theatre Social Protest through theatre - Shows became BrechtianShows became Brechtian

Pivotal PlaywrightsPivotal Playwrights

Arguably, the four most influential were:Arguably, the four most influential were: Eugene O’NeillEugene O’Neill Arthur MillerArthur Miller Tennessee WilliamsTennessee Williams Edward AlbeeEdward Albee

Eugene O’Neill (1988-1953)Eugene O’Neill (1988-1953)

Wrote in a style which combined:Wrote in a style which combined:- RealismRealism- SymbolismSymbolism- ExpressionismExpressionism

Most famous play:Most famous play:

Long Day’s Journey Into Night--- Long Day’s Journey Into Night--- about the horrors about the horrors of addiction as it it devastates the Tyrone family. It of addiction as it it devastates the Tyrone family. It was highly autobiographical.was highly autobiographical.

Arthur Miller (1915-2005)Arthur Miller (1915-2005)

Called a “modern tragedian.”Called a “modern tragedian.” He wrote: “…the underlying struggle is He wrote: “…the underlying struggle is

that of the individual attempting to gain that of the individual attempting to gain his 'rightful' position in his society." his 'rightful' position in his society."

Most famous plays:Most famous plays:- The CrucibleThe Crucible- Death of a SalesmanDeath of a Salesman

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983)Tennessee Williams (1911-1983)

Wrote in a style now called Wrote in a style now called “magical realism.”“magical realism.” His works fit into the format of His works fit into the format of “memory play.”“memory play.”

- Character experiences something profoundCharacter experiences something profound- That experience causes an “arrest of time.”That experience causes an “arrest of time.”- Character must re-live that until he makes sense of it.Character must re-live that until he makes sense of it.

Actors/directors of his plays brought Actors/directors of his plays brought “the Method”“the Method” of of acting to forefront.acting to forefront.

Most famous plays:Most famous plays:- The Glass MenagerieThe Glass Menagerie- A Streetcar Named DesireA Streetcar Named Desire

Edward Albee (1928- )Edward Albee (1928- )

Heavily influenced by Samuel Beckett Heavily influenced by Samuel Beckett who wrote who wrote Waiting for GodotWaiting for Godot..

Associated in his early works with Associated in his early works with Theatre of the Absurd.Theatre of the Absurd.

Early successes were one-act plays like Early successes were one-act plays like The Zoo StoryThe Zoo Story..

Best known play was Best known play was notnot absurdist: absurdist: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Other Contemporary Trends in Other Contemporary Trends in TheatreTheatre

Growth of Musical TheatreGrowth of Musical Theatre Explosion of BroadwayExplosion of Broadway Film and theatre borrow from each otherFilm and theatre borrow from each other Minorities/fringe society gained voices:Minorities/fringe society gained voices:

- August WilsonAugust Wilson - the African American - the African American experience in the 20experience in the 20thth Century (cycle) Century (cycle)

- Tony KushnerTony Kushner - gay culture in response to AIDS - gay culture in response to AIDS

- Wendy WassersteinWendy Wasserstein - both Jewish and feminist - both Jewish and feminist issues addressedissues addressed

Other Playwrights of Note:Other Playwrights of Note:

Thornton Wilder (Thornton Wilder (Our TownOur Town)) Lillian Hellman (The Children’s Hour)Lillian Hellman (The Children’s Hour) Sam Shepard (Sam Shepard (Buried ChildBuried Child)) Marsha Norman (‘Marsha Norman (‘night, Mothernight, Mother)) Christopher Durang (Christopher Durang (Baby with the Baby with the

BathwaterBathwater)) David Mamet (David Mamet (Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross))

More Notable PlaywrightsMore Notable Playwrights

John Patrick Shanley (John Patrick Shanley (DoubtDoubt)) Lanford Wilson (Lanford Wilson (Tally’s FollyTally’s Folly)) John Guare (John Guare (House of Blue LeavesHouse of Blue Leaves)) Neil Simon (Neil Simon (The Odd CoupleThe Odd Couple)) William Inge (William Inge (PicnicPicnic)) Lorraine Hansberry (Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the A Raisin in the

SunSun))

Other artistic developments of the turn of the Other artistic developments of the turn of the century and beyond…century and beyond…

1881: London’s Savoy Theatre is the first to 1881: London’s Savoy Theatre is the first to be lit by electricity.be lit by electricity.

In the same year, Vaudeville debuts in NYC.In the same year, Vaudeville debuts in NYC. 1890: Modern dance emerges as a revolution 1890: Modern dance emerges as a revolution

against ballet.against ballet. 1901: Stanislavski’s “Method” of acting 1901: Stanislavski’s “Method” of acting

introduced. introduced. - See/hear onstage = real life = recreate reality.See/hear onstage = real life = recreate reality.- Credited as being the first great director-theatre Credited as being the first great director-theatre

never the same.never the same.

Other Artistic DevelopmentsOther Artistic Developments

1904: Anton Chekhov premieres his play 1904: Anton Chekhov premieres his play The The Cherry OrchardCherry Orchard at the Moscow Art Theatre, at the Moscow Art Theatre, directed by Stanislavski, introducing modern directed by Stanislavski, introducing modern realism.realism.

1907: Florenz Ziegfeld debuts his 1907: Florenz Ziegfeld debuts his FolliesFollies in in NYC – takes musical extravaganza to new NYC – takes musical extravaganza to new heights.heights.

1909: Diaghilev begins the era of modern 1909: Diaghilev begins the era of modern ballet.ballet.

SummarySummary

Modernism in all the performing arts such as Modernism in all the performing arts such as dance, musical theatre, and drama take dance, musical theatre, and drama take realism in new directions.realism in new directions.

By changing what theatre could be, it By changing what theatre could be, it attracted a more diverse, intellectual, and attracted a more diverse, intellectual, and sophisticated audience.sophisticated audience.

Chances were taken and most were Chances were taken and most were successful – encouraging risks.successful – encouraging risks.

Playwrights, then directors, became the Playwrights, then directors, became the greatest influence on the progression of greatest influence on the progression of theatre in America in the 20theatre in America in the 20 thth Century. Century.