Human Events
Description
Based on A R Gurney’s novel Entertaining Strangers, the story is reminiscent of TARTUFFE. Set in academia, at a large technological institute in the Boston area, HUMAN EVENTS follows the rise of a visiting instructor, presumably from England, as he ingratiates himself into the Humanities department and snakes his way up the ladder of success.
Production Info
Full Length Drama (about 110 minutes)
Single Set
Contemporary Costumes
Press Quotes
“Remember All About Eve, the classic film in which older actress Margo Channing takes younger actress Eve Harrington under her wing, only to see her protégé attempt to take over her life and her love? Back in 1977, A R Gurney … took that plot and reset it in academia for his novel Entertaining Strangers. Now he’s adapted that book into HUMAN EVENTS … a witty and entertaining comedy of manners. Porter Platt is an associate professor at an esteemed Boston college. He meets Englishman Christopher Simpson, and is impressed by his Eton and Oxford education. Simpson wants a job at the school, and Platt does yeoman work to get him one. Soon, Simpson is rising in the department, while Platt is not. Simpson also takes a shine to Platt’s wife, who’s attracted to him as well … HUMAN EVENTS shows that Gurney is still one of America’s most entertaining playwrights.” —Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger
“[The play] poses questions about trust — among friends, among colleagues, between spouses. With its wit, literary quality, and insight into human nature, the work is up to the standard expected of Gurney, one of the most intelligent theatrical writers active today.” —Charles Paolino, Home News Tribune
Author
A R GurneyA R ("Pete") Gurney's work has been produced in New York at Lincoln Center, Manhattan Theater Club, Playwrights Horizons, and Primary Stages. Among his plays are THE DINING ROOM, THE COCKTAIL HOUR, LOVE LETTERS, SYLVIA, FAR EAST, THE FOURTH WALL, and BIG BILL. Four of his more political plays — O JERUSALEM, MRS FARNSWORTH, SCREEN PLAY, and POST MORTEM — have been produced at the Flea Theater in Tribeca. Gurney also wrote several published novels, as well as the libretto for Michael Torke's opera Strawberry Fields, presented by the New York City Opera. A former Professor of Literature at M I T, he was elected in 2005 to the Theater Hall of Fame and in 2006 to The American Academy of Arts and Letters. He passed away in June 2017. Audio Interview [audioplayer file="//www.broadwayplaypublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/Bonus-Weekend-Podcast_-A.R.-Gurney-a.mp3" titles="Leonard Lopate Interviews A R Gurney" artists="" bg="434343"]
Book Information
| Publisher | BPPI |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 9/1/2001 |
| Pages | 88 |
| ISBN | 9780881452013 |
Special Notes
Originally produced by The George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick NJ
by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com
