Hurlyburly and Those the River Keeps: Two Plays

by David Rabe

Book Overview

Nominated for the Tony Award when it was first produced in 1984, Hurlyburly was immediately hailed as a classic American drama. This edition is the definitive version of the prize-winning author's most celebrated work, reflecting his continued exploration of the play through several productions-in particular the one he directed in 1988 at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles-and his latest thoughts regarding the text. Now prize-winning playwright...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802133517
• ISBN13: 9780802133519
• Release Date: July 1995
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

David Rabe is Awesome

Great plays. Hurly Burly is one of the most character-rich, deeply self-reflective exercises for actors I've seen. Great for young professionals.

best play i've ever read

there exitsts are which is good at fourteen. There exists art which is good at eighteen. Then, on a whole new level, there is art which is best read/consumed at after eighteen and before you petter out at 45. That is the really serious art. This is that piece of art. That work which guides the subconscious into a world of beautiful tomorrows and engorging bliss. If this play doesn't inspire you to grab your friends and have a good time, then I don't know what will.

See the movie!

I guess in all fairness I shouldn't be writing a review because I've never even read the book. Despite that, I've read the screenplay for Hurlyburly which David Rabe wrote starring Sean Penn and Kevin Spacey and I can't help but tell everyone how great it is. I'm a film student at the University of Miami and like most other aspiring screenwriters and directors I am constantly shuffling through feature films for something of substance. Hurlyburly, the movie that is, really blew me away and I can't wait to read the book version. The dialogue and the ensemble cast made for one of the most dramatic black comedies I have ever seen. It depicts a bunch of ambitious Hollywood players who are desperately trying to find meaning in their lives. The words and interaction are so powerful and well crafted that it has made Hurlyburly one of my all time favorites. I'm looking forward to reading more of David Rabe's work. Yes, you've probably never heard of it, but that can only mean one thing...It's great!

An inner search for the meaning of life

I have often seen or heard this play reviewed as a comedy, a black comedy, yes, but a comedy. I do not see it that way at all. Aside from the witty comments made by some of the characters. Of course maybe the comedy comes in the delivery of the lines. It seems to me that it is a deep search for Eddie from the beginning. It is near Dadaism or Existensialism; he is thouroughly disgusted with the world, women, and even his friends much of the time. The Dramatic question seems to be What will Eddie find? I enjoyed the search with him and liked the play very much.