In 1965, the country was in the midst of a vicious war, had just endured the assassination of its beloved president, and was embarking on an era of free love and decadence. John Guare’s House of Blue Leaves (which first premiered off-Broadway in 1971) is set in that year, perched on the fulcrum of a teetering American timeline. The black comedy focuses on the life of Artie, a zookeeper and aspiring songwriter who lives in Sunnyside, Queens and hopes for Hollywood stardom. His wife, Bananas (so named because she suffers from schizophrenia) is shunned by her husband, whose mistress lives downstairs from the couple. The play takes place on the day when Pope Paul VI visits New York City, an event the characters see as hopeful, capable of ending war or fulfilling their wishes for fame.
New Century Theatre of Northampton commences its 2008 summer season with Guare’s biting work. Directed by Rand Foerster, the play’s main themes, especially those concerning America’s obsession with fame and grotesque celebrity, are as germane today as they were 37 years ago.
June 19-26, $14-28, Mendenhall Center for Performing Arts, Smith College, Northampton, (413) 587-3933, visit www.new centurytheatre,org for curtain times.
