André's Mother and Other Short Plays

by Terrence McNally

Contents:
Hidden agendas --
Street talk --
The wibbly, wobbly, wiggly dance that Cleopatterer did --
Prelude & Liebestod --
André's mother.

HIDDEN AGENDAS is a satirical look at nonprofit arts institutions that depend on the various whims of their subscribers wishes, the beneficence of the National Endowment for the Arts, charitable patrons and the passing fashions of the times. (13 men and women.) STREET TALK is a confrontational monologue pondering the changes in the American Theatre from the sixties when theatre itself sought to confront, challenge and educate, to today's theatre which seems only to give a bigger bang for the buck. (1 man, 1 woman.) THE WIBBLY, WOBBLY WIGGLY DANCE THAT CLEOPATTERER DID follows a lonely young man and a male hustler during their one-night stand. Their meeting leads to a discussion, in detail, about the pros and cons of being with a man or a woman. Only one of them has any leanings towards true intimacy. Unfortunately, he isn't the one who is being paid, and after his rented partner leaves, he is left to mull over his bitterest feelings. (2 men.) ANDRÉ'S MOTHER.

Genres: Plays

34 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Terrence McNally was an American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter. Described as "the bard of American theater" and "one of the greatest contemporary playwrights the theater world has yet produced," McNally was the recipient of five Tony Awards. He won the Tony Award for Best Play for Love! Valour!

Reviews

[Jack Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard of this through a recommendation from my adviser who also happens to be my theatre teacher. Even though I only got it for the play "Andre's Mother," I really enjoyed the other ones as well. The first and second are a short play and a confrontational monologue that concentrate on what theatre is and what it's become. The third and fourth have a lot to do with homo-sexuality, the third being a bit crude but very enlightening when it comes to intercourse and love between people of the same and different gender, and the fourth being extremely moving and a wonderful piece to read. I highly recommend this to anybody who is looking for a very quick read that will both move and intrigue them.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Que bela surpresa. Uma coleção de peças curtas que parecem comunicar tanto com tão pouco. Poucas páginas, mas McNally, que escreve sem pudor ou melindre, expressa a dores mais latejantes até os sentimentos mais vulgares. McNally não teme a maldade, a superficialidade nem o romantismo desprovido de ironia. Curiosa para conhecer mais deste dramaturgo.

[Jaykumar B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 'Andre's Mother' a number of times, just to look at it from multiple perspectives, if I may, so as to get to see how this very very short yet profoundly potent play works so well for a reader based here across the globe; the playwright is certainly dexterous enough to demand multiple readings simply because every work written is loaded with meanings, and images and contexts and connotations; and one cannot help but think of a history of the lives of multiple gay children in the West and the East, their fears, their hopes and their tragedies juxtaposed with that of their families and loved ones..

I hope to read more of this amazing writer who can create a hailstorm of emotions and thoughts simply out of a page or two..