THE BEST SHORT PLAYS 1982 -- Ramon Delgado, editor

Chilton Book Company -- hc
Radnor, PA -- ©1982 -- 257pp
ISBN: 0-8019-7144-6

Part of the best short plays series. Included in this volume:

Introduction

Thymus Vulgaris -- Lanford Wilson (2F, 1M)

Ball Boys -- David Edgar (3M)

Chocolate Cake -- Mary Gallagher (2F)

The Dance and the Railroad -- David Henry Hwang (2M)

Vivien -- Percy Granger (2M, 1F)

Napoleon's Dinner -- Samuel Shem (3M)

Reflections In A Window -- Beverly Byers Pevitts (9F, 1M)

Today A Little Extra -- Michael Kassin (2M, 1F)

Minnesota Moon -- John Olive (2M)

In Fireworks Lie Secret Codes -- John Guare (3M, 2F -- possibly adaptable)

Twirler -- Jane Martin (1F)

Cumulative Index 1968-82

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I will admit that I read these plays now, differently as to when I read them while in school. Now I look at them as possible plays for the local high school students to perform for competition. In that respect, most of these failed to pique my interest.

Minnesota Moon is still a pretty good play (I saw it while in college), but for me, a play with two men and no women won't go very far. I'm lucky to get one male of decent ability, but usually get five or six females who are worthy actors.

Of most interest to me was In Fireworks Lie Secret Codes, which seemed to be adaptable as to which characters were women and which men. However, the story was a bit bland. It might bear further reading.

Today A Little Extra was probably the most touching play, but it's Jewish characters and low-rent neighborhood-setting is all going to be lost on my midwestern, Scandanavian-descendant high school kids.

This series is always worth looking at for anyone interested in the theatre.