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Execution of Justice
Book by Williams, Henry B.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 23, 2025
This is a play that I feel is probably incredibly moving onstage, but somewhat confusing to read. I hope I get an opportunity to see it live someday.
January 24, 2025
wow! bit of a tough read tbh but learned a lot
January 27, 2025
"If a bullet should enter my brain,
let that bullet destroy every closet door."
let that bullet destroy every closet door."
June 25, 2025
very good, but it was a bit confusing at some points. would probably make a lot more sense if i saw it preformed!
April 29, 2014
First of all, I think this book deserves 0 stars, or maybe half a star.
Emily Mann's play delves into the Dan White murder trial in 1970s San Fransisco. She at every turn forces the audience to view Dan White as a supposed "victim" and justify his actions. But she clearly does not feel this is right because she hamhandedly punches over and over again that Dan White should be viewed as the victim (as he, indeed, was viewed as at the time because he got away with a "light" sentence).
The disjointedness of Mann's play shows an amateur playwright at her worst. Justifications for her slipshod writing range from arguing that she uses "polyphony" or "polyvocalization" in her play, but it comes across as amateurish and lacking any skill or polish. I think these problems could have been fixed with an honest editor, but, perhaps, she was simply too close the subject matter to provide a more nuanced look at Dan White.
She goes for the low-blow in this play and succeeds. She has a good story idea, but awful execution.
Emily Mann's play delves into the Dan White murder trial in 1970s San Fransisco. She at every turn forces the audience to view Dan White as a supposed "victim" and justify his actions. But she clearly does not feel this is right because she hamhandedly punches over and over again that Dan White should be viewed as the victim (as he, indeed, was viewed as at the time because he got away with a "light" sentence).
The disjointedness of Mann's play shows an amateur playwright at her worst. Justifications for her slipshod writing range from arguing that she uses "polyphony" or "polyvocalization" in her play, but it comes across as amateurish and lacking any skill or polish. I think these problems could have been fixed with an honest editor, but, perhaps, she was simply too close the subject matter to provide a more nuanced look at Dan White.
She goes for the low-blow in this play and succeeds. She has a good story idea, but awful execution.
March 7, 2009
Far more detail than the present "Milk" movie-- A beautifully woven script-- Captures the time as well (yeah, I was there)
July 27, 2013
Read Emily Mann's play in American Theatre magazine.
I think is is one of the best plays of the 80's.
It should be produced more.
Also saw John Spencer in the Broadway production.
I think is is one of the best plays of the 80's.
It should be produced more.
Also saw John Spencer in the Broadway production.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews