In One Act (Exxon Lecture Series)
by Adrienne Kennedy

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Book Reviews of In One Act (Exxon Lecture Series)

Book Review: Welcome to Kennedy's nightmare
Summary: 5 Stars

Kennedy's original work is surreal and nightmarish. Her most striking plays feature African-American female protagonists, and explore such topics as failed marriage, racial segregation, middle-class Black aspiration, sexual transgression, guilt, and the conflict between light- and dark-skinned African-Americans.

Kennedy often uses bizarre props and stage directions, as well as weird and unsettling dialogue. Her plays often employ iconic figures from Western culture: European royalty, classic Hollywood stars, and characters from Christian tradition. Kennedy has a sharp satiric eye, and her characters are frequently suffering from intense pain.

"A Lesson. . ." and "A Rat's Mass" feature grotesque half-human, half-animal figures. "A Movie Star. . ." has as its main character a Black female aspiring playwright, and incorporates references to other plays in this collection; this piece thus has a particularly reality-warping feel.

Adrienne Kennedy's drama has a boldly experimental and psychological quality. Although her experiments don't always work, when they do the result is stunning.

United States Books

• Books > Subjects > Literature & Fiction > Drama
• United States > African American