The Subject Was Roses (A Play in Two Acts)
by Frank D. Gilroy
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Book Summary Information
Author: Frank D. GilroyEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1990
ISBN: 0573615926
Number of pages: 77
Publisher: Samuel French, Inc.
Book Reviews of The Subject Was Roses (A Play in Two Acts)
Book Review: Realistic dialogue, intense mood, excellent!
Summary: 5 Stars
Frank Gilroy's excellent drama has garnered Pulitzer Prize in 1964 and a Tony Award. Set in the Bronx, NY, 1946, the play unfolds with creeping intensity to reveal the story of a man, his wife and son who endure pain and sadness as members of an unhappy, strained family.
Although the play does have a few dramatic moments, the gift is in the ordinary simple dialogue that reveals the depth of the dysfunctional family. The excellence is in the very realistic dialogue! Gilroy has captured the mannerism of ordinary, simple day-to-day communication in a family especially when, at times, two people communicating with one another but without really communicating with one another. There are no grand monologues, just enough dialogue that reflects the way we really speak with few words and phrases.
Middle aged, John Cleary and his wife Nettie are enjoying the return of their 21-year son, Timmy, from the war after three years. John has had a lot of missed opportunities in life, has cheated and never been a loving father or husband.
John secretly admires his son's uniform and the accomplishments, but cops an attitude on veterans, since he was unable to himself serve, another of his missed opportunities.
Wife Nettie holds a grudge too, for past indiscretions of her husband too. We soon learn the failures and disappointments that become the foundation of a marriage that eventually lead to the dysfunction of the son who gets caught in the middle of the discontent and tension three years after this duty in the army. Quite a bit happens in this two act play with frequently changing moods, tension, etc.
One challenge I have with plays is to find the title of the play "The Subject Was Roses" in the text. I see it as the Roses representing the marriage and the whole crux of marital turmoil.
Jack Albertson and Charlie Sheen acted together onstage in 1964, however, the play takes place in 1946. The two also performed in the movie version, The Subject Was Roses. Have not watched it yet, but hopefully it is as well as the book. ...Rizzo
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