Tenn at One Hundred

american_typewriterTenn at One Hundred, edited by David Kaplan, is a comprehensive look at the reputation of America’s greatest playwright Tennessee Williams. Published on the occasion of Tennessee Williams’ centennial, Tenn at One Hundredcontains eighteen essays by authors including John Lahr, William Jay Smith, Sam Staggs, Amiri Baraka, John Patrick Shanley, Kenneth Holditch, Allean Hale and others. Collectively the essays explore Tennessee Williams and his legacy: the plays, the films, reviews, talent, tenacity, good forturne, bad timing, friends, addictions, critics, producers, publishers, directors, actors and biographers that helped to shape Tennessee Williams’ critical reputation and iconic status over the past seventy years.

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The Maids

In Mongolia audiences laughed as the maids tried to poison their mistress. The descendants of Genghis Khan understand the glamour of infamy.

In the photograph above the maids wait for their over-friendly mistress to drink a poisoned cup of tea. “It’s such a pleasure making people happy,” Madame croons.  The cruel humor of the play appealed to Mongolians, who understood the quest for proud infamy. Women played all three roles.

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