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Smokefall: A Play
Magical realism collides with manic vaudeville in this family drama with a chewy metaphysical core by Noah Haidle, one of our most exciting and daring young playwrights. With a glancing nod to Our Town, a man named Footnote acts as guide. The Twins swap philosophy while awaiting their birth. Daughter Beauty eats dirt and doesn't speak, and Father is about to drive away and never return, leaving pregnant and dreamy mother Violet alone to live out her father’s notion that “every love story is a tragedy, because its ending is built into its beginning.” Whipping from astonishing tenderness to profound humor and back again, this wholly original play uncovers the extraordinary family connections that stretch and warp across the years but can never quite be broken.
Smokefall’s award-winning Chicago premiere, directed by Anne Kauffmann, was followed by its off-Broadway premiere in 2015, also directed by Kauffmann and starring Zachary Quinto and Robin Tunney, in highly praised performances.
Smokefall’s award-winning Chicago premiere, directed by Anne Kauffmann, was followed by its off-Broadway premiere in 2015, also directed by Kauffmann and starring Zachary Quinto and Robin Tunney, in highly praised performances.
96 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 5, 2022
2.5, rounded up.
Although Haidle gets points for originality, his trademark combination of whimsicality with syrupy sentimentality is a bit too twee for my tastes; the second act, which is comprised of twin fetuses waxing poetic and philosophizing in utero was a bit TOO much to take.
Fun fact: My Facebook friend Brian H. played one of the fetuses in the original NY production!
Although Haidle gets points for originality, his trademark combination of whimsicality with syrupy sentimentality is a bit too twee for my tastes; the second act, which is comprised of twin fetuses waxing poetic and philosophizing in utero was a bit TOO much to take.
Fun fact: My Facebook friend Brian H. played one of the fetuses in the original NY production!
November 27, 2017
"Smokefall" is a generous and graceful play. Across multiple reads, i marveled at the beauty that arises from suffering, the growth that follows lost, and the peace that comes from loving acceptance. If we spend our lives searching for heart-to-heart connection, how do we measure all the love that isn't returned?
"Smokefall" imprints an empathetic gaze across a family that beset with extreme communication problems. A loving,but wayward husband Daniel describes his relationship to his father-in-law as "strained but loving"; the mother attempts to give a peaceful entrance to the two boys in her womb -she only gets muscle contractions; the Colonel (father-in law) attempts to connect to his family despite his dementia; and Beauty is engaged with the world, but has imposed a vow of silence. Beliefs, doubts, and attempts to engage are all picked up by our guide Footnotes, and the play unwinds across generations of the family. We see the blossoming of this family tree, sometimes in unexpected moments of connection, flashbacks or well won insights into the nature of loving when we get nothing in return.
The play has a very strong personal significance to me as well; given to me by a teacher/friend, who also felt the weight of the play.
"Smokefall" imprints an empathetic gaze across a family that beset with extreme communication problems. A loving,but wayward husband Daniel describes his relationship to his father-in-law as "strained but loving"; the mother attempts to give a peaceful entrance to the two boys in her womb -she only gets muscle contractions; the Colonel (father-in law) attempts to connect to his family despite his dementia; and Beauty is engaged with the world, but has imposed a vow of silence. Beliefs, doubts, and attempts to engage are all picked up by our guide Footnotes, and the play unwinds across generations of the family. We see the blossoming of this family tree, sometimes in unexpected moments of connection, flashbacks or well won insights into the nature of loving when we get nothing in return.
The play has a very strong personal significance to me as well; given to me by a teacher/friend, who also felt the weight of the play.
June 10, 2016
I was lucky to see this play in New York City back in March, and reading "Smokefall" now brings back beautiful memories. It is a wonderful play, nothing like you will ever read in your life. It's special to read it and remember the scenes as they were played by the actors, remember their voices as I read their part.
There are some touching quotes and some truths in it. The most beautiful quote, in my opinion, belongs to Violet when she says to her kids: "You are the citizens of my heart. You are bound to each other, and for all time".
It's a bittersweet story, dramatic and funny. You cry and you laugh, and you are left with a desire of pondering and thinking about your life. Amazing.
There are some touching quotes and some truths in it. The most beautiful quote, in my opinion, belongs to Violet when she says to her kids: "You are the citizens of my heart. You are bound to each other, and for all time".
It's a bittersweet story, dramatic and funny. You cry and you laugh, and you are left with a desire of pondering and thinking about your life. Amazing.
January 22, 2017
This is really quite lovely--it reminded me of "The Language Archive" quite a bit in terms of its language and tone. I'm not sure that we are given enough of the characters as real people in order to truly invest--they feel like poetic mouthpieces right from the start.
September 21, 2022
Big fan of absurdist theatre and literature, but it was a little bit or miss for me. The banter between the fetuses I found to be brilliant, and the first third was also great. The ending left much to be desired and felt a little predictable.
May 9, 2018
Incredible.
September 16, 2018
Great show, very unique, odd but endearing
March 10, 2019
Play.
Weird and warm. Some good lines.
"Love anyway."
Weird and warm. Some good lines.
"Love anyway."
October 16, 2022
Total narcissism.
January 7, 2024
good play, a bit oddly abbreviated in character development, but I think staging it could be fantastic. Really want to see how to do act 2. also the authors notes are very funny.
February 17, 2025
My favorite play of all time. “The greatest act of courage is to love.”
November 19, 2017
A brilliant play that combines realism with absurdity. Set in Grand Rapids, MI, life goes on and families evolve in a repetitive cycle that never seems to end. A fascinating read with lots of possibilities for designers and actors.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews