Playwright Sean O’Leary has weighed in on a fascinating historical puzzle.  Acclaimed poet and literary influencer Ezra Pound disgraced himself with anti-Semitic broadcasts in favor of Italy’s fascist government during World War II.  Returned to the US in 1945 he was committed to an asylum under threat of treason charges.  With the support of one of my favorite writers, Archibald MacLeish, he was released in 1958 and returned to Italy where he retreated into what was named “the Great Silence” until his death in 1972.  Why such an articulate and opinionated mind would withdraw as he did has never been satisfactorily explained.  Mr. O’Leary has a fascinating theory that I will not spoil.  While I am not entirely satisfied, I am intrigued.

The production is fascinating with talented performers Kate Abbruzzese as Ann Polley (Policiano), Cynthia Darlow as Nurse Priscomb, and Redman Maxfield as Archibald MacLeish.  It is ably directed by Kathleen Butler and still has me thinking.  Unfortunately I cannot fairly review Christopher Lloyd as Ezra Pound as he was pretty heavily still on book when I saw the second preview of the play.  Disappointing.  This is a play that should be seen and discussed.  Hopefully Mr. Lloyd has now committed his lines and blocking to memory (he was unfortunately being directed on the fly during the performance by other actors).  It is worth seeing and worth discussing by those of us with an interest in historical drama.  See it at Theater Row in NYC

As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @ walterthinnes

SHOW DISCOUNTS CURRENTLY OFFERED THROUGH MY BLOG:

Tickets are now on sale for the Players Theatre Short Play Festival at 115 MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village that includes my script THE RIDE DOWN MOUNT SCARY.  It is directed by Pamela Wilson and features Carly Ruda, Eric Diamond, Maggie Hunter and Christopher Delacruz.  My play is featured in the third week of the festival on October 25, 26 & 27 at 7 PM and October 28 at 3 PM. You can buy tickets in advance at www.shortplaynyc.com.  If you use the discount code CAST the usual $30 ticket magically becomes $20.  Hope to see you there.  

We are thrilled to be partnering with MY PARSIFAL CONDUCTOR, the world premiere, Off-Broadway play written by multiple EMMY Award-Winning Allan Leicht, directed by Robert Kalfin and produced by The Directors Company by special arrangement with Ted Snowden, featuring Eddie Korbich as Richard Wagner, Claire Brownell as Cosima Wagner and Geoffrey Cantor as Hermann Levi. MY PARSIFAL CONDUCTOR is a comedic spin on real-life events of famous composer Richard Wagner (“Vagner”) and the Jewish conductor that brought his final masterpiece to life.  We are happy to share a special discount offer for up to 52% off for our loyal followers.  Visit: https://myparsifalconductor.com/, call (866) 811-4111 or visit the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater at the West Side YMCA 10 West 64th Street New York, NY 10023, and use code “MPCMKT”.  Enjoy the show!