The Collected Plays of Paul Rudnick

by Paul Rudnick

The definitive collection of theatrical hilarity by one of America’s preeminent playwrights and humorists The New York Times has proclaimed that “line by line, Mr. Rudnick may be the funniest writer for the stage in the United States today.” Now, this collection of his plays will remind readers far and wide of the great influence that Paul Rudnick’s comic genius has had on the world of American theater. Here are I Hate Hamlet , the play that marked Rudnick’s Broadway debut; Jeffrey , the long-running off-Broadway smash about gay life during the AIDS crisis of the early ’90s; as well as five other onstage gems enlivened by Rudnick’s signature rapier wit. The Collected Plays of Paul Rudnick is a must-have item for any fan of this theatrical master—and a necessary addition to all courses in dramatic literature.

Genres: Plays

544 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time I read a lot of plays. Long after I stopped doing any acting or tech, even after I'd stopped attending plays unless family or friends were involved, reading them never stopped. So just recently it occurred to me that all the Rudnick plays that weren't available from my public libraries were available at work. So after decades of hanging about in a want-to-read, but can't afford to buy, limbo, finally they are mine.

In the absence of evidence to the contrary, my theory is that Paul Rudnick's body of work is responsible for marriage equality. He's funny, and unconditionally accepting in a way everyone should be, but pretty much never is. And if he isn't, please don't tell me: I want to believe.

***

This morning I finished The New Century, and thus, the collected plays. Good thing I posted individual comments on separate entries for the plays, and that I stretched this out a bit, because my comments are all probably very much the same: I love Paul Rudnick's work because he reminds me to be joyful despite everything, a reminder I need frequently. The reminder is appreciated every time.

Library copy

[Lily P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Kindle)

The David Sedaris of playwrights.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

just LOOVE his I Hate Hamlet--about a struggling actor who ends up getting the role, lives in Barrymore's apartment (which Rudnick did!) and has the spirit of Barrymore coaching him. an absolute HOOT. The Most Fabulous Story is predicated on the fundamentalists' line, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. it's raunchy and just over the top funny. Gave up trying not to laugh out loud at the beach... continued to read two more plays. Flamboyantly loopy witty wordplay, but also love of the quirks and foibles of humanity. Found myself quite touched by his characters.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

As my first year orientation to law school class teacher once said: "Don't worry, a 'C' is a really, really, really good grade at _______ University Law School." I tell that moving story because my grading standards tend to be high when rating books and even though I greatly enjoyed these plays and the author's talent/wit, I still gave it a 3/5. Can't quite bring myself to go to 4.

[Yaroslav · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Hate Hamlet ***
Jeffrey ***
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told ***
The Naked Eye ****
Valhalla ****
Regrets Only ***
The New Century ****

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very silly, dorky, funny, buoyant. Somehow Rudnick keeps surprising me by hitting more significant targets than most "serious" playwrights.