Eric Overmyer: Collected Plays

by Eric Overmyer

Theatre cannot compete with film and television as a popular art form. If it is not to go the way of other antique, hand-made arts and become completely esoteric, it must re-discover its authenticity. As Chiaramonte says in Theatre in Utopia, theatre is not elitist, but it is for those who love it. I hope these plays are authentically theatrical, written in a real and new American, and I hope those who love theatre will find some pleasure here. - Eric Overmyer, Preface

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Native Speech - 1/5 stars -
I didn’t really care for this. It had interesting uses of vocabulary and melodically written monologues that are Overmyer’s signature, but it all fell a little flat for me. I felt like the plot went no where.

I definitely could have done without the racial insensitivity towards Chinese-Americans and Jewish people, too. He writes about those two groups a lot and I’m never sure what his intended tone is. Ignorant comedy? Satire and sarcasm? Did he actually know people from those backgrounds or have authority to make those jokes?

On the Verge - 5/5 stars
One of my favorites. I love the use of language and vocabulary, and the comic relief is great.

In a Pig’s Valise - 3/5 stars
Taxi is hired by Delores to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her sister Mitzi, an “ethnic dancer.” The duo infiltrate the dance club, owned by the Bucket Brothers and a man who continuously fakes a French accent, and they get to the bottom of the mystery. All of this is done with voice overs and soliloquies that all of the characters are aware of and question, as well as random bursts of song intermixed.

I really liked the characters and the mystery was interesting to watch unfold. I appreciated the breaking of the fourth wall and the satirical use of some theater tropes.

However, the “musical” side of the story felt really contrived. It wasn’t until the very end that the songs really became funny. I’m not sure if it would come across differently if I actually saw it performed, but reading the lyrics was a bit lackluster for most of the play.

In Perpetuity Throughout the Universe - 2/5 stars
This play approached the topics of racism, supremacist organizations, chain letters, and ghostwriters through stilted vignettes. Overmyer focuses a lot on Asian-Americans and Jewish people, but in less of a slapstick/racist way, so that was nice. This play was actually written for Tzi Ma, a Chinese actor, and I think it addressed the ideas of citizenship and identity more respectfully while still including humor.

I only gave it 2 stars because I wasn’t feeling the overly conceptual storyline. There were a lot of ideas and themes presented without much conflict resolution. It was a lot like Native Speech which was character-driven and concept-driven but at the expense of lacking plot. I think I would have liked to see more of a narrative focus.

The Heliotrope Bouquet By Scott Joplin & Louis Chauvin - 2/5 stars

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange, dream-like plays- Definitely American Experimental. More performance-art than "straight" plays- music/poetry. Picked it out of a Library book sale because it was a collection of plays I'd never heard of by an Author I hadn't known.

Original cast lists in front of the plays themselves: Jimmy Smits and Samuel L. Jackson in the first play, "Native Speech," Nathan Lane was in one, Gina Torres in another, Lauren Tom in another, and David Strathairn and Frances McDormand in yet another. All of them Actors who tend to pick good material- I'd go to watch them in whatever they're in.

Notsomething I'd read constantly or even expect to be performed in repertory, but helps to broaden your horizons beyond better-known playwrights.

[Billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has, amoung other wonderful things, In a Pig's Valise.

And Hungry Mother?

Forget it, Jack, dude almost Out-Shepparded Sam Sheppard in that one.

Fucking good.

[Tom Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent playwright.