The Belle of Amherst: A One-Woman Play

by William Luce

Biographical dramaA play based on the life of Emily Dickinson . Characters: 1 female . Interior Set . The Belle of Amherst delicately explores the life of America's greatest woman poet at various stages in her experience from the age of 15, when she was full of hope and success, until she died at 56, a virtual recluse with her door closed against society. Her life is recreated with liberal excerpts from her poetry and by the method of her playing the roles of her father, teacher and friends. Julie Harris played the role on Broadway to great acclaim and won the 1977 Tony Award for Best Actress. . "Magnificent.... Full of passion and poetry and heart.... An arresting, riveting experience." - New York Daily News . "One of the most singularly beautiful evenings I've ever spent in the theater. . . . A beautiful play." - Boston Globe

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama, Poetry, Historical Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

William Luce was a writer, primarily for the stage and television.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that 'plays about Emily Dickinson' is a genre. This one (a one-woman show) had some beautiful moments I stole for monologues.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever struggled to understand the poetry of Emily Dickinson then you must read this beautiful play which puts her poems into the context of her life, and what once seemed obscure, becomes abundantly clear!

[Kelley Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this in the Emily Dickinson room at Sylvia Beach Hotel in January 2014. Really enjoyed the idea of Emily talking directly to us and sharing all the secrets of her interior world that we readers only guess at.

[Samara O'Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting introduction to the poetry & life of Emily Dickinson. Similar to how Emily challenged the existing structure of poetry and conventions, William Luce wrote a play that is led by one actress - a one-woman play. What an absolute dream it would be to bring this play to life once more and act in it one day. There were so many good lines in the play but understanding the fellow poet and her connection to nature i’m left struck by: “That phraseless Melody, The Wind does.”

[Lindsay Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this on my shelf forever and I remembered it existed the other day and pulled it down. It was good - a one woman show about Emily Dickinson. I didn't notice at mistakes off the top of my head so that's a plus. I looked this author, or playwright, up and it seems like he's done a lot of one women shows about famous authors.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

One-woman theatrical play about Emily Dickenson.

I found the first half a little twee for my taste. The second half picks up a bit, enough to peak my interest and do some more investigation into the life of Emily Dickenson.

[JLieutenis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this version of the play. As I mentioned while I was reading it, the latest biography of Miss Dickenson and the restoring of missing verses to her poems definitely affect the tone of this play. Reading "Because I could not stop for death" is one of Ms. Harris's finest moments as an actor, in my opinion. She is coy, resigned and one senses the eagerness with which she describes her ride with death. Yet this reading was recorded before the missing lines had been restored and it is jarring, to say the least, hearing the poem read so powerfully but leaving out the lines that most define the speakers actual physical state. With no hint in the text of the serious edits, made supposedly with the best intentions, the play ends with an unfinished feeling. Something Unspoken Like the Rain, as Mr. Williams might have said.
I would love to see this play reworked to include not just the missing lines of text, but some inclusion or mention of the people who hacked away at her writings after she had died.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this in eighth grade. I first saw it in 1993, acted by the amazing Janet Peterson. Of course, I've read and re-read the play. I still have most of it memorized! I had the privilege of playing Emily Dickinson and it remains one of my favorite stage roles. I also had the privilege of seeing Julie Harris play the role at Laguna Playhouse in 2000. I had seen a video version of her 1970s Emmy winning performance and was entranced. In 2000, I was disappointed. Ms. Harris flubbed many lines and just did not seem to have her heart in the show. Charles Nelson Reilly directed the Laguna show and the original production so I had high hopes. Anyway, I think the play is a great way to acquaint anyone with Dickinson's poetry. A 1976 performance is available on DVD if you are so inclined to watch.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson from 1830-1886, and set in her Amherst, Massachusetts home, the play makes use of her work, diaries, and letters to recollect her encounters with the significant people in her life - family, close friends, and acquaintances. It balances the agony of her seclusion with the brief bright moments when she was able to experience some joy. It effectively conveys the lonely, yet poetry-filled life of Emily Dickinson. After one preview, the original Broadway production, directed by Charles Nelson Reilly and starring Julie Harris, opened on April 28, 1976 at the Longacre Theatre, where it ran for 116 performances. Lovely throughout, her muse lifts her spirit and vicariously we participate in the beauty of her art.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable interpretation of Emily's life, particularly with the one-woman-play style which just feels appropriate. I am by no means an Emily scholar, but I do feel that reading this play gives one the notion that although she was seen as a hermit (and also possibly a little eccentric) she was truly full of life. In the hands of the right creative team I can imagine this play being quite moving.

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on Emily Dickenson. Very short and to the point. I've never read a one woman play before, and all I could think about was how difficult it must have been to memorize all those lines! I loved how William incorporated her poetry into the play. I actually understood some of her poems! Good quick read.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful show which should be carried off well in October. Emily Dickinson is such a likeable persona. And her angst and anguish is captured here in a whimsical way, interspersed with poetry. Interesting enough. the text has evolved over time since the original presentation.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to fulfil a goal "read a book with less 100 pages". ever since reading "how to read a play i have enjoyed this genre so much more. this one is a bit of a monologe, but still enjoyable

[Victoria Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a one woman play. It's told in first-person as Emily Dickinson. It's a fast read and I found it very enjoyable and have seen the play done performed by Julie Harris.

[Alexander Laws · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite play, without question. I've done research papers (yes, plural) about this script. Always worth a reread!

[hayley]

we watched julie harris’ performance of this in my voice and speech class and she was brilliant