NEW YORK (June 24, 2004) - Continuing a tradition that dates back to 1920, when Burns Mantle founded the annual Best Plays Theater Yearbook, the Best Plays of 2003–2004 were announced today by editor Jeffrey Eric Jenkins.
For the 85th edition, the annual chronicle of United States theater honors 10 new plays. In addition to the Best Plays of 2003–2004, the series also honors three regional plays (this year one is also a Best Play) cited in the American Theatre Critics/Steinberg New Play Awards and Citations competition, and will provide a comprehensive collection of facts and figures about the year in United States theater.The Best Plays of 2003–2004 were chosen from Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway productions of new plays that opened between June 1, 2003 and May 31, 2004. The choices were made by the editor after consultation with the Best Plays Theater Yearbook editorial board, which includes Robert Brustein, Tish Dace, Christine Dolen, Mel Gussow, Robert Hurwitt, John Istel, Chris Jones, Julius Novick, Michael Phillips, Christopher Rawson, Alisa Solomon, Jeffrey Sweet, Linda Winer and Charles Wright.
Each of the Best Plays of 2003–2004 will be celebrated in an essay to be published in The Best Plays Theater Yearbook 2003–2004. The Best Plays of 2003–2004 (in alphabetical order):
Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz
(Essay by Christine Dolen)Caroline, or Change by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori
(Essay by John Istel)Frozen by Bryony Lavery
(Essay by Anne Marie Welsh)Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage
(Essay by Lenora Inez Brown)Living Out by Lisa Loomer
(Essay by Charles Wright)The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paula Vogel
(Essay by Tish Dace)Omnium Gatherum by Theresa Rebeck and Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros
(Essay by Chris Jones)Small Tragedy by Craig Lucas
(Essay by Charles Isherwood)The Violet Hour by Richard Greenberg
(Essay by Michael Feingold)Well by Lisa Kron
(Essay by Michael Sommers)
Mailing address:
Distribution of The Best Plays Theater Yearbook
is generously underwritten by
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
Jeffrey Eric Jenkins
Best Plays
825 President Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-1405
Phone: 718-789-5553
E-mail: editor@bestplaysonline.com