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The Collected Plays #1
The Collected Plays, Vol. 1: 1958-1965
These range from the four brilliant one-act plays with which he exploded on the New York theater scene The Zoo Story, The Death of Bessie Smith, The Sandbox, and The American Dream to his early masterpiece, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf Also included are two adaptations from notable American novels The Ballad of the Sad Café and Malcolm and Albee's mysteriously fascinating Tiny Alice. This book represents one of the most exciting and bold periods in the career of one of America's most popular and imaginative playwrights.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
18 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Edward Albee
185 books578 followersNoted American playwright Edward Franklin Albee explored the darker aspects of human relationships in plays like
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
(1962) and
Three Tall Women
(1991), which won his third Pulitzer Prize.
People know Edward Franklin Albee III for works, including The Zoo Story , The Sandbox and The American Dream .
He well crafted his works, considered often unsympathetic examinations of the modern condition. His early works reflected a mastery and Americanization of the theater of the absurd, which found its peak in European playwrights, such as Jean Genet, Samuel Barclay Beckett, and Eugène Ionesco. Younger Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel credits daring mix of theatricalism and biting dialogue of Albee with helping to reinvent the postwar theater in the early 1960s. Dedication of Albee to continuing to evolve his voice — as evidenced in later productions such as The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? (2000) — also routinely marks him as distinct of his era.
Albee described his work as "an examination of the American Scene, an attack on the substitution of artificial for real values in our society, a condemnation of complacency, cruelty, and emasculation and vacuity, a stand against the fiction that everything in this slipping land of ours is peachy-keen."
People know Edward Franklin Albee III for works, including The Zoo Story , The Sandbox and The American Dream .
He well crafted his works, considered often unsympathetic examinations of the modern condition. His early works reflected a mastery and Americanization of the theater of the absurd, which found its peak in European playwrights, such as Jean Genet, Samuel Barclay Beckett, and Eugène Ionesco. Younger Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel credits daring mix of theatricalism and biting dialogue of Albee with helping to reinvent the postwar theater in the early 1960s. Dedication of Albee to continuing to evolve his voice — as evidenced in later productions such as The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? (2000) — also routinely marks him as distinct of his era.
Albee described his work as "an examination of the American Scene, an attack on the substitution of artificial for real values in our society, a condemnation of complacency, cruelty, and emasculation and vacuity, a stand against the fiction that everything in this slipping land of ours is peachy-keen."
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July 11, 2021The Zoo Story: 4 stars
As with each collection, I will review each of these plays individually and get back to you with a final rating.
As with each collection, I will review each of these plays individually and get back to you with a final rating.
September 27, 2016
R.I.P., Mr. Albee.
What a marvelous collection of his works.
(even if they did make me miss stage lights in my eyes.)
What a marvelous collection of his works.
(even if they did make me miss stage lights in my eyes.)
October 23, 2010
A collection containing the first decade of Albee's output. The only real blights are his adaptations of Carson McCullers' "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe" and James Purdy's "Malcolm." But countered by the perfect "Zoo Story," "The American Dream" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" it's hard not to recommend this volume.
February 8, 2014
Volume 1 of The Collected Plays of Edward Albee features eight plays, achieving varying degrees of success. Albee's writing style does not fluctuate from work to work, which can either be interpreted as consistency or stagnancy, most likely depending on your fondness of said style. At the very least, it makes comparing Albee's works that much easier.
The Zoo Story, Albee's first play, is one act in which two guys, Peter and Jerry, meet by a park bench near Central Park. As the curtain rises, we see Peter reading a book. Then Jerry, a jittery and desperately lonely individual, interrupts Peter's rest and relaxation by insisting he humor him in conversation.
The Death of Bessie Smith is a one-act play based around a series of conversations between two friends, and between the black and white staffs of a segregated hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on the day that blues singer, Bessie Smith dies in a car crash.
The Sandbox is a one-act play about a young man in a bathing suit performing calisthenics in a sandbox and a patronizing couple who bring Grandma to the beach.
The American Dream is a one-act play in which a mother, father, and grandma have a few visitors, during which time they expose themselves as deplorable, dissatisfied people.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is the longest work in the collection, and examines a warped, dysfunctional married couple and the luring in of a younger couple into their strange "game."
The Ballad of the Sad Café tells the story of a cold calculated woman named Miss Amelia who, to the townsfolk's surprise, takes in a stranger who claims to be of kin and eventually grows to love him.
Tiny Alice is a three-act play that tells the story of Miss Alice, who has decided to donate $2 billion to the church. The cardinal's secretary, Julian, is sent for and, upon touring Miss Alice's castle, spots an exact replica of the mansion that seems to have some sort of supernatural property. As Julian spends more time in the mansion, things become more obscure and hostile.
Malcolm is a two-act play based on the novel by James Purdy. It tells the story of an elderly astrologer who meets a young boy one day and subsequently sends him off to meet a cast of characters.
Despite addressing heavy themes like isolation, death, dehumanization, racial segregation, the loss of values in our society, the delusion of the quaint American family, revenge, and the corruption of innocence, Albee's plays failed to elicit much emotion or thought, other than maybe frustration, from me. It's not that almost every single one of Albee's characters are despicable people - I can appreciate and enjoy a good cast of villains - but rather that, for the plays, especially the first two, rely too heavily on their symbolism as proof of their merit. The second, third, and fourth plays add some more involved commentary, but either the characters are flat (The American Dream), the play is too short for the absurdity and commentary to leave an impression (The Sandbox), or feels like an excessively long beating of a one-dimensionally themed horse (Who's Afraid).
The last three plays are by far the best, as they incorporate more story, suspense, and emotions than the previous works. I wish I had read them separately from the first five plays though, because by the time I got to them, I will admit that my interest and patience had begun to dwindle. Either way, the successes of these last three pieces are noteworthy, but ultimately were just not enough to salvage my feelings towards this collection of plays as a whole.
The Zoo Story, Albee's first play, is one act in which two guys, Peter and Jerry, meet by a park bench near Central Park. As the curtain rises, we see Peter reading a book. Then Jerry, a jittery and desperately lonely individual, interrupts Peter's rest and relaxation by insisting he humor him in conversation.
The Death of Bessie Smith is a one-act play based around a series of conversations between two friends, and between the black and white staffs of a segregated hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on the day that blues singer, Bessie Smith dies in a car crash.
The Sandbox is a one-act play about a young man in a bathing suit performing calisthenics in a sandbox and a patronizing couple who bring Grandma to the beach.
The American Dream is a one-act play in which a mother, father, and grandma have a few visitors, during which time they expose themselves as deplorable, dissatisfied people.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is the longest work in the collection, and examines a warped, dysfunctional married couple and the luring in of a younger couple into their strange "game."
The Ballad of the Sad Café tells the story of a cold calculated woman named Miss Amelia who, to the townsfolk's surprise, takes in a stranger who claims to be of kin and eventually grows to love him.
Tiny Alice is a three-act play that tells the story of Miss Alice, who has decided to donate $2 billion to the church. The cardinal's secretary, Julian, is sent for and, upon touring Miss Alice's castle, spots an exact replica of the mansion that seems to have some sort of supernatural property. As Julian spends more time in the mansion, things become more obscure and hostile.
Malcolm is a two-act play based on the novel by James Purdy. It tells the story of an elderly astrologer who meets a young boy one day and subsequently sends him off to meet a cast of characters.
Despite addressing heavy themes like isolation, death, dehumanization, racial segregation, the loss of values in our society, the delusion of the quaint American family, revenge, and the corruption of innocence, Albee's plays failed to elicit much emotion or thought, other than maybe frustration, from me. It's not that almost every single one of Albee's characters are despicable people - I can appreciate and enjoy a good cast of villains - but rather that, for the plays, especially the first two, rely too heavily on their symbolism as proof of their merit. The second, third, and fourth plays add some more involved commentary, but either the characters are flat (The American Dream), the play is too short for the absurdity and commentary to leave an impression (The Sandbox), or feels like an excessively long beating of a one-dimensionally themed horse (Who's Afraid).
The last three plays are by far the best, as they incorporate more story, suspense, and emotions than the previous works. I wish I had read them separately from the first five plays though, because by the time I got to them, I will admit that my interest and patience had begun to dwindle. Either way, the successes of these last three pieces are noteworthy, but ultimately were just not enough to salvage my feelings towards this collection of plays as a whole.
September 1, 2013
As I had already read 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' and 'Tiny Alice' (in retrospect, the two best pieces in this collection) the experience of reading served more as a sobering realization that not all of Albee's works can be as profound and affecting as his best.
Zoo story was interesting, but by the end I found myself wondering what the point was in telling this particular story. While Jerry tempts the reader to hear the conclusion of his 'zoo story' it feels as if we're waiting throughout the whole play for a payoff which never comes.
The Death of Bessie Smith is a story centering around racism in Tennessee in 1937, but I can't see anything new it tells or teaches us about the subject. None of the characters really have enough depth to be sympathetic, and the relationships between them are hinted at but never explored deeply enough to be fulfilling to a reader. Perhaps staging would achieve a different effect.
The Sandbox, I liked. Short and sweet, and absurd to profound effect, as his best plays are. Meaningful thoughts about aging and family life.
The American Dream was probably my favourite inclusion aside from the aforementioned Virginia Woolf and Tiny Alice. It felt like the ideas explored in the Sandbox, but expanded upon. Comic non-sequiturs made for some good laughs and it fosters thought about our relationships with ourselves and those close to us as we and they get older.
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe also lead me to ponder what the point was behind telling this particular story. I didn't feel any richer for having read it, which is reason enough to pass over it. Perhaps staging it would bring out elements that reading does not, but I'd have no particular draw to see it staged.
Malcolm is an interesting story about growing up and the ways the world can influence you once you 'fly the coop.' Malcolm is forced to call upon many unusual characters in order to gain life experience, but the majority simply attempt to use him for their own gain. Perhaps not a gem of Albee's work, but worth sifting through for some memorable bits.
Zoo story was interesting, but by the end I found myself wondering what the point was in telling this particular story. While Jerry tempts the reader to hear the conclusion of his 'zoo story' it feels as if we're waiting throughout the whole play for a payoff which never comes.
The Death of Bessie Smith is a story centering around racism in Tennessee in 1937, but I can't see anything new it tells or teaches us about the subject. None of the characters really have enough depth to be sympathetic, and the relationships between them are hinted at but never explored deeply enough to be fulfilling to a reader. Perhaps staging would achieve a different effect.
The Sandbox, I liked. Short and sweet, and absurd to profound effect, as his best plays are. Meaningful thoughts about aging and family life.
The American Dream was probably my favourite inclusion aside from the aforementioned Virginia Woolf and Tiny Alice. It felt like the ideas explored in the Sandbox, but expanded upon. Comic non-sequiturs made for some good laughs and it fosters thought about our relationships with ourselves and those close to us as we and they get older.
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe also lead me to ponder what the point was behind telling this particular story. I didn't feel any richer for having read it, which is reason enough to pass over it. Perhaps staging it would bring out elements that reading does not, but I'd have no particular draw to see it staged.
Malcolm is an interesting story about growing up and the ways the world can influence you once you 'fly the coop.' Malcolm is forced to call upon many unusual characters in order to gain life experience, but the majority simply attempt to use him for their own gain. Perhaps not a gem of Albee's work, but worth sifting through for some memorable bits.
August 3, 2011
Albee is one of America's most important playwright's and probably the greatest living one. Yet, despite his acclaim and talent, he's not the most consistent dramatist, writing a masterpiece like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" one year and then penning the not so great "Tiny Alice" just a few years later. At any rate, this volume of his work is essential to anyone wanting to understand Albee or American theater in the 20th century.
Furthermore, I would argue that Albee never was able to top "The Zoo Story" or "Virginia Woolf." He's come close a few times, but nothing else has had the same energy, the same freshness, and taken the same risks. So, if you read nothing else by Albee, get this volume so you can get his two best plays. "The American Dream," and it's condensed version "The Sandbox" are also good plays. "The Death of Bessie Smith" is a failure, but an interesting one, "The Ballad of Sad Cafe" is hit-and-miss but can be entertaining. "Tiny Alice" is perhaps his most controversial and incomprehensible work--long and overwrought and confusing, but not bad, per se. And then "Malcolm," which, as everyone agrees, is not worth reading.
The biggest "con" to this book is that Albee does not read on the page well. He is a playwright that writes works that are best on stage. So you will probably read "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and wonder, "what's the big deal?" But then if you see "Virginia Woolf" on the stage, you will say, "NOW I understand the big deal."
I recommend this book. Albee is a giant of American theater and this volume has his two greatest plays and some other good ones, too.
Furthermore, I would argue that Albee never was able to top "The Zoo Story" or "Virginia Woolf." He's come close a few times, but nothing else has had the same energy, the same freshness, and taken the same risks. So, if you read nothing else by Albee, get this volume so you can get his two best plays. "The American Dream," and it's condensed version "The Sandbox" are also good plays. "The Death of Bessie Smith" is a failure, but an interesting one, "The Ballad of Sad Cafe" is hit-and-miss but can be entertaining. "Tiny Alice" is perhaps his most controversial and incomprehensible work--long and overwrought and confusing, but not bad, per se. And then "Malcolm," which, as everyone agrees, is not worth reading.
The biggest "con" to this book is that Albee does not read on the page well. He is a playwright that writes works that are best on stage. So you will probably read "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and wonder, "what's the big deal?" But then if you see "Virginia Woolf" on the stage, you will say, "NOW I understand the big deal."
I recommend this book. Albee is a giant of American theater and this volume has his two greatest plays and some other good ones, too.
September 14, 2012
The Zoo Story ****o
The Death of Bessie Smith ***oo
The Sandbox ***oo
The American Dream ***oo
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ****o
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe ***oo
Tiny Alice ***oo
Malcolm ***oo
The Death of Bessie Smith ***oo
The Sandbox ***oo
The American Dream ***oo
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ****o
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe ***oo
Tiny Alice ***oo
Malcolm ***oo
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September 14, 2009The Collected Plays Of Edward Albee: Volume 1 1958 - 1965 by Edward Albee (2004)
April 4, 2013
آلبی را به مثابه نمایش نامه نویسی علیه مظاهر جامعه ی مدرن، تلقی کرده اند.
در مورد "تیاتر ابزورد" اینجا را بخوانید
http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
در مورد "تیاتر ابزورد" اینجا را بخوانید
http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
July 15, 2015
Officially in love with another writer who shall never reciprocate my feelings, alas.
April 11, 2019
I did not actually read this whole book of plays, I only read 1. That is because of a ready challenge, To read a play. I choose "The American Dream" by Edward Albee.
They are premiered off-Broadway January 24, 1961 in the York theatre, it's a one act play. There were several other times it premiered at other theatres.
Reading it I can't imagine why???, I thought it was very dull and boring.
They are premiered off-Broadway January 24, 1961 in the York theatre, it's a one act play. There were several other times it premiered at other theatres.
Reading it I can't imagine why???, I thought it was very dull and boring.
September 1, 2020
Virginia Woolf is, of course, a 5.
October 5, 2018
Read for an OLLI class: "The Sandbox," Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Tiny Alice.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews