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Wendy Wasserstein is truly a master of contemporary theater. This collection, anchored of course by "The Heidi Chronicles," attests to this fact. Although I agree with the other reviewers that plays are meant to be seen, Wasserstein is literary enough to be enjoyed just if you sit down and read it. She is brilliant without being verbose, intellectual without being cumbersome, and witty while retaining a level of respectability. Truly a treasure of American culture.
I will most address "The Heidi Chronicles." Hands down, it is my favorite play ever. Of course, you don't know me from Adam, so I will extrapolate. The character of Heidi Holland is so likable, and so compelling simply because she is so unremarkable. She is an Everywoman, which seems unappealing unless you understand how rare it is for playwrights to create an Everywoman. Playwrights typically write for men, women are usually afterthoughts in plays. I know this from experience as an actress (kindly don't hold my profession against me, we can't help our attention whoring and really we are quite intelligent as a group). In Heidi Holland, we all can find a personal truth, something that has not existed in female characters in theater. Up until very recently, they have been complete charicatures or waifish ingenues. Wendy Wasserstein revolutionized the theater, and her Pulitzer is well deserved.
Of course, one can go on and on about signifigance, but that does not necessarily make the play enjoyable. I assure you, this one most definitely is. Wasserstein has a sharp wit a la Oscar Wilde, only more natural and less affected. The characters in this play are people that I promise you, you know. Another brilliant thing which is really lost in reading it but you can pick up on if you read the stage directions is the multiple casting. It's this beautiful idea where the extraneous characters are played by the same two actresses, giving this sense that throughout your entire life, you keep seeing the same people. So very very true.
I recommend this play to theater lovers, book lovers, women, men, people, animals, anyone with the ability to understand language. You will enjoy it. Another author who you might enjoy is Binnie Kirshenbaum. She is a novelist, not a playwright, but her work seems somewhat similar to Wasserstein's. Her latest novel "An Almost Pefect Moment" is absolutely fantastic, totally compelling. Both authors deserve your time and attention. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
I will most address "The Heidi Chronicles." Hands down, it is my favorite play ever. Of course, you don't know me from Adam, so I will extrapolate. The character of Heidi Holland is so likable, and so compelling simply because she is so unremarkable. She is an Everywoman, which seems unappealing unless you understand how rare it is for playwrights to create an Everywoman. Playwrights typically write for men, women are usually afterthoughts in plays. I know this from experience as an actress (kindly don't hold my profession against me, we can't help our attention whoring and really we are quite intelligent as a group). In Heidi Holland, we all can find a personal truth, something that has not existed in female characters in theater. Up until very recently, they have been complete charicatures or waifish ingenues. Wendy Wasserstein revolutionized the theater, and her Pulitzer is well deserved.
Of course, one can go on and on about signifigance, but that does not necessarily make the play enjoyable. I assure you, this one most definitely is. Wasserstein has a sharp wit a la Oscar Wilde, only more natural and less affected. The characters in this play are people that I promise you, you know. Another brilliant thing which is really lost in reading it but you can pick up on if you read the stage directions is the multiple casting. It's this beautiful idea where the extraneous characters are played by the same two actresses, giving this sense that throughout your entire life, you keep seeing the same people. So very very true.
I recommend this play to theater lovers, book lovers, women, men, people, animals, anyone with the ability to understand language. You will enjoy it. Another author who you might enjoy is Binnie Kirshenbaum. She is a novelist, not a playwright, but her work seems somewhat similar to Wasserstein's. Her latest novel "An Almost Pefect Moment" is absolutely fantastic, totally compelling. Both authors deserve your time and attention. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
