Look Homeward, Angel: A Comedy-Drama in Three Acts

by Ketti Frings

Comedy-Drama. Ketti Frings, from the novel by Thomas Wolfe. 10 m., 8 f. 2 exts. w. inset. An authentic American classic, this powerful and vital play captures the sardonic humor and the grief, both private and universal, of Wolfe’s novel about a youth coming of age. Concentrating on the last third of Wolfe’s story, the play vividly portrays Eugene Gant, his mother who is obsessed by her material holdings and who maintains barriers against the love of her family, the father—a stonecutter imprisoned by his failures, and the brother who never breaks away. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Critics’ award as best play of the season. Liist price $6.25. (Royalty, $50-$40 from Samuel French) Slightly Restricted.

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre, Fiction, American

99 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing reading experience. Ketti Frings' Pulitzer Prize-winning play captures the essence of Wolfe's novel. The staging is so filled with nuance and quietude. I felt I was at the Dixieland Boardinghouse as I read the dialogue. I could see the characters and feel their emotions so strongly.

This play is, of course, a dramatization of Thomas Wolfe's novel, Look Homeward Angel. The book is filled with the poetry of the South. Frings maintains that poetry in her play. When Ben dies, Eugene runs to the veranda, drops to his knees and prays:

"Whoever You are, please be good to Ben tonight...Whoever You are...please be good to Ben tonight...please be good to Ben tonight..."

Like a knife to my heart I felt how simple and yet how totally honest the five words, "please be good to Ben tonight", were. When we lose someone we love, we don't stop worrying about their well being. We still love and care about them even though they have left us. "Please be good to Ben tonight." When I have people I care for pass away, I immediately pray that "whoever You are" will welcome them and give them love so they do not feel like they have lost everything. The love they had in this life must be waiting for them in the next. "Please be good to Ben tonight."

Even if you have never read the novel, I highly recommend reading the play. This was one of the best plays I've ever read. Intelligent, honest and deeply moving in a quiet, simple way.

[Tessyohnka · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 35 years ago I was scheduled to direct this for a community theater in the city where I went to college. I didn't direct it because of an offer to come into Chicago for another acting/directing opportunity, so I traded productions and directed a play earlier in the summer. I know that I went back to see the play, but could bring so little of it to mind that I decided I should read it again. It must be a sign of my age, but I found it so much more melodramatic this time around. I still have a fondness for the characters but the arc of the play seems to go a bit over the top.
November, 2025
My book club is reading this play as the last of our twelve reads for 2025 with house or home in the title. I still agree with my 2021 self. There isn't quite enough build-up to understand why both Ben and Eugene are so painfully ready to get away.

[Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such fond memories of playing Eliza Gant in my high school production of this show so I may be a tad biased.

[Anna Muthalaly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow and thick to start but once I got to the drunk father tearing into the house, whew I was in it!

I mean, it’s fine! It’s good! I particularly appreciated how angry parents are depicted in this, the relationship is shown exactly as a bitter child views it. And, after researching wolfe’s book, I’m impressed with how well Frings adapted such a sprawling text and managed to keep so much of the heart in it

It’s hard to leave home, and even harder to realize you’ll always be looking for the thing to replace it. This book showed that well, I’m just not sure if I’ll stick with me beyond the time it’s taken to write this review. Like, it was good. Better than many other plays! But at this point in American history, it’s just so weary to return to the white border house, the dreary dialogue within it. I’ve seen that setting soooo many times in this project, I just can’t feign interest anymore

This is the 34th play I read in my quest to conquer the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

[Nancy Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed to pick a play for my acting class. This caught my attention. At first I thought it was very boring but it hit closer to home. Not to given an spoilers but the monologues and dynamic of the family was interesting to see. I love the theme of the train that kept going throughout the story. Overall a good and short read. It was bittersweet!

[Brian McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, well-constructed play typical of the 50s, taking a slice of middle class liked and putting it onstage. It reminded me of STREETSONG and MORNINGS AT SEVEN with its many characters. Glad I read this Pulitzer Prize winner.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look Homeward, Angel opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on November 28, 1957, and ran for a total of 564 performances, closing on April 4, 1959. Directed by George Roy Hill, the cast starred Jo Van Fleet (who replaced Bette Davis during rehearsals after Davis broke her back at her home) and Anthony Perkins. Ketti Frings won the 1958 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. The production received Tony Award nominations for Best Play; Best Actor in a Play (Hugh Griffith and Anthony Perkins); Best Actress in a Play (Jo Van Fleet); Best Scenic Design (Jo Mielziner); Best Costume Design (Motley); and Best Director (George Roy Hill).Look Homeward, Angel traces the coming of age of Eugene Gant, as well as the lives of his family members. It takes place in the town of Altamont, North Carolina. Eugene's mother, Eliza, runs a boarding house, "Dixieland", where boarders often interact with and affect the lives of the Gants. His father, William Oliver, runs a marble sculpture shop, where his prized possession, a statue of an angel. Mild recommendation. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Scripturiently Swag The Dragon-Hearted · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play was great at conveying some major aspects of Wolfe's book. At first, I thought that the switched order (Laura breakup after Ben's death) lessened the force of the play, and to some extent, I still think that's true, but I think it was a good way to transition from a somber tone to a more upbeat one. The wrecking scene was hilarious. Overall, though, I feel like the playwright could have incorporated more of Wolfe's epic language. It starts out with such language, but then the language gets dropped. That made for some discontinuity. Overall, though, it was good. Read it.

[Kåre · Rating 3 out of 5]

jo jo meget ok.

[Laura Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still my favorite play--can't wait to direct it again!