Three Somebodies: Plays about Notorious Dissidents: SCUM | Jack the Rapper | Art Was Here

by Kat Georges

A trio of compelling, cutting edge plays on notorious rebels including radical feminist and Warhol attacker Valerie Solanas (" The Valerie Solanas Story"), Dada instigator Arthur Cravan ("Art Was Here"), and a twisting tale of Jack the Ripper and T.S. Eliot ("Jack the Rapper"). Playwright Kat Georges paints each of these plays with bold, innovative strokes that expand the boundaries of the theatrical milieu. As compelling to read off the page as to perform, these three plays offer sharp dialogue and prismatic views of their rebellious subjects, casting aside stereotypical bullet-pointed personalities to establish new perspectives on the subjects of each play. In THREE Plays About Notorious Dissidents, poet-playwright Kat Georges offers a trio of fascinating, cutting edge plays about notorious dissidents―people who shook up the world― for better or worse, including “ The Valerie Solanas Story,” “Art Was Here,” inspired by poet-pugilist and Dada precursor Arthur Cravan, and “Jack the Rapper,” a mash-up of Jack the Ripper and T. S. Eliot. Shakespeare had his kings and princes. Georges chose royalty of the infamous Valerie Solanas, author of The SCUM Manifesto, who famously shot Andy Warhol. Arthur Cravan―nephew of Oscar Wilde, wild child pugilist and poet―whose legendary antics preceded and influenced the Dada movement. Jack the Ripper as sculpted through the words of Eliot’s poem “Rhapsody on a Windy Night.” All three plays received their world premieres at San Francisco’s notorious Marilyn Monroe Memorial Theater, known for its focus on “demolished texts, deconstructed classics, and new works.” As such, the plays in THREE SOMEBODIES are not representative of standard “bio-dramas.” rather these are stripped down, twisted, juxtaposed, hard-bent works intensity designed to bring each subjects life three-dimensional portraits, examine particular personas from inside out. They refused be handcuffed by linear drama so they roar in twists shouts, psychedelic tremors, whirlwind ebullience. Playwright Georges paints each of these plays with bold, innovative strokes that expand the boundaries of the theatrical milieu. As compelling to read off the page as to perform, these three plays offer sharp dialogue and prismatic views of their rebellious subjects, casting aside stereotypical, bullet-pointed personalities to establish new perspectives on their subjects.

Genres: Plays

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2018

About the author

Kat Georges is an internationally known poet and playwright, who cofounded San Francisco’s Marilyn Monroe Memorial Theater in 1992, where she served as co-artistic director for eight years. Her books include the poetry collections Awe and Other Words Like Wow, Our Lady of the Hunger, Punk Rock Journal, and Slow Dance at 120 Beats Per Minute. Her work has appeared in journals worldwide, including The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry (Thunder’s Mouth Press), Arriving at a Shoreline (Great Weather for Media), From The Inside: NYC Through the Eyes of Poets Who Live Here (Blue Light Press), The Verdict Is In (as editor; Manic D Press), Love, Love Magazine (Paris), and Ladyland: Anthologie de Littérature Féminine Américaine (13E Note Editions), and many other publications. Her nonfiction prose and essays have been published in San Francisco Examiner, Orange County Register, La Habra Daily Express, and more. She was born and raised in Southern California, where, following her graduation from California State University, Fullerton, she published The Eye Magapaper, an acclaimed music journal covering the SoCal punk scene in the early 80s. She is cofounder and codirector of Three Rooms Press. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Susan Csoke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Plays - The story of Valerie Solanas, the woman who shot Andy Warhol. - Arthur Cravan, the nephew of the famous Oscar Wilde and last but not least - Jack The Ripper. Thank you Goodreads for this free book!!!!

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anarchy! Chaos! Passion!

The works of Kat Georges pack a real punch. That's an understatement. I was reeled in by the energy and the layers of art apparent in each play. However, it was "Jack the Rapper" that won me over (5 star for this one). In knitting together lines from the great TS Eliot, Georges creates an eerie scene of horror and beauty.

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok... 3 different plays in one book. Written by a brilliant play wright and poet. Imaginative themes. Creepy results. How was a script of dialog able to give me nightmares? *** My thanks to Three Rooms Press for hosting the GOODREADS giveaway where I won a limited edition advance copy.

[David Loux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the plays very much. All three engaged, which is no small thing in theater. Additionally, they work on the page as well as the stage. They pluck at the strings of thought and left me feeling I had experienced something important.

[lisa panepinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, original, enthralling plays from Kat Georges!