Costly Performances: Tennessee Williams: The Last Stage
by Bruce Smith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Bruce SmithEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2000-10-05
ISBN: 0595137571
Number of pages: 276
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc
Book Reviews of Costly Performances: Tennessee Williams: The Last Stage
Book Review: 20th Century Theatre at the Crossroads: A True Battleground
Summary: 5 Stars
Though I am not mentioned in this brilliant memoir of major playwright Tennessee Williams at the end of his career (and tether), I was a peripheral figure in its unfolding, working as an assistant stage manager at Chicago's Blackstone Theatre during the premier of of Mr. Williams's next to last full length play, Clothes for a Summer Hotel and later at The Goodman Theatre for his last full length play, A House Not Meant to Stand (originally called Some Problems for the Moose Lodge). Even at this level of involvement, I was witness to much of the scenario contained in Bruce Smith's Costly Performances/ Tennessee Willaims: The Last Stage. Mr. Williams had not had a major hit for some years, but it was clear from this new work that he felt he still had it him to produce original and effective work for the theatre. Much of the cast of both plays as well as the stage crews thought he was right to think this and a great sense of loyalty emerged for a playwright who had enriched 20th Century drama immeasurably (and, let's face it, created works that employed many of us through the years). Both these productions were first rate -- we all modestly thought -- but it became clear as reviews appeared after the premiers that the media had decided Mr. Williams was, to put it kindly, "old hat," over the hill and past his once considerable powers. Into these reviews were often threaded, to us, irrelevant remarks about his alleged alcoholism, drug addiction (s) and -- if one can believe it in this day and age -- 'sexual depravity.' Even the least conspiracy minded of our group saw a clear trend, to wipe Williams from the current theatre world and make room for a small band of-- to us -- talented (yes) but much more modestly gifted playwrights. While Mr. Smith's book presents overwhelming evidence for this conclusion -- much to his credit as a trained journalist -- he never states what, to us who worked in that era, the inevitable verdict that the fix was in - for sure. Anyway, I suggest you read this book for its intimate portrait of the writer, its many original quotes and its high level of sardonic humor. As for gossip lovers,read it for some very juicy bits indeed about such as Warren Beatty, Tallulah Bankhead, Paul Newman, Geraldine Page and the posthumously revealed 'Spider Woman" herself, Maria St. Just, appointed an executrix of his will and left the royalties from The Two Character Play. It seems Mr Williams had asked Mr. Smith to write a 'black book' about this dark period in his life (since he seemed to feel he would not live to do so himself). I believe the author fulfilled that request -- and then some.
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