The Shadow Box: A Drama in Two Acts
by Michael Cristofer
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Book Summary Information
Author: Michael CristoferEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1977-06
ISBN: 0573616132
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: Samuel French
Book Reviews of The Shadow Box: A Drama in Two Acts
Book Review: Stages of Grief for the Living and Dying
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1969, Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross wrote the groundbreaking book, On Death and Dying and named the five stages of grief that people who are dying go through, and not in an exact order. The five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. And, here, The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer is about death and dying. The play earned the 1977 Pulitzer Prize and, a Tony Award in 1977.
The concept of the play is a departure from the standard storyline; it is a series of interviews and conversations of three sets of loved ones of those who are terminally ill. An interviewer is a member of the character list. The conversations of the loved ones remain separated, however, with great skill, the writer has the characters intermingle the conversations, but we view that as voices dramatically coming together. Shadow Box theme qualifies as a departure in theatre drama.
Written in late 70s, the unique and dramatic play takes place in cottages that are separate from the hospital, cottages where those dying go when there is no more help, but hope. You can't help reading this without thinking of your own mortality, or if young enough, someone close to you.
Joe is dying, and Maggie and son Steven come 3,000 miles to visit. Maggie is in denial about Joe and hasn't told their son. Aside from denial, Maggie tries bargaining with him to come home.
Brian's and Mark, a gay couple, are paid a visit from Brian's ex-wife, a whorish, rough talking, hard drinker. Mark deals with his anger knowing Brian will die.
And the third couple, aging Felicity, a cursing angry woman of about 60 is led around in a wheelchair by her daughter Agnes. Agnes reveals that Felicity is forever asking about Claire, a younger daughter who is dead. Agnes learns that the bargaining Felicity has made is to wait on dying until she she's Claire again.
There is a film version of The Shadow Box, which is directed by the late, great Paul Newman and stars Joanne Woodward, who plays the gay man, Brian's former wife, although in the film version, she is not as crude as the book version. The Shadow Box.
Another recommendation on stages of grief (for the living), is 'Night Mother. Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize winning book that focuses on a daughter planning her suicide and her mother going through stages of grief trying to keep her from doing it. See the VHS Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft's amazing performances in 'night, Mother (1986)......Rizzo.
Summary of The Shadow Box: A Drama in Two Acts
Full Length, DramaCharacters: 5 male, 4 female
Interior Set
In this compelling dramatic triptych, three terminal cancer patients dwell in separate cottages on a hospital grounds. The three are attended and visited by family and close friends: Agnes and her mother Felicity, estranged further by the latter's dementia; Brian and Beverly whose martial complications are exacerbated by Brian's new lover, Mark; and Joe and Maggie, unready for the strain of Joe's impending death and it's effect on their teenage son.
"An important, touching and courageous play...Triumphantly turns up...Cristofer writes with the compassion of the undamned. An extraordinarily good Broadway play with meaty roles for actors."-The New York Times
"Thunders with life."-ABC TV
"By far the finest play of the New York season, beautifully realized drama of sensitive perceptions often as funny as it is moving."-Washington Post
"Extraordinary. An overwhelming emotional experience. Truly startling and in its uncompromising way, very funny."-Boston Globe
Winner of a Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize.
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