THE BEST PLAYS OF 2004–2005

BOOK HONORS MAMET, SHANLEY, WILSON, VOGEL

 

NEW YORK (July 21, 2005) - Continuing a tradition that dates back to 1920, when Burns Mantle founded the annual Best Plays Theater Yearbook, the Best Plays of 2004-2005 were announced today by editor Jeffrey Eric Jenkins.

 

For the 86th edition, the annual chronicle of United States theater honors 10 new plays. In addition to the Best Plays of 2004–2005, the series also honors three regional plays 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 2005 ATCA/Steinberg honorees include After Ashley by Gina Gionfriddo (essayist, Elizabeth Maupin), The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl (essayist, Michele Volansky) and Singing Forest by Craig Lucas (essayist, Misha Berson).

 

The Best Plays of 2004–2005 were chosen from Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway productions of new plays that opened between June 1, 2004 and May 31, 2005. 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, Robert Hurwitt, John Istel, Chris Jones, Julius Novick, Michael Phillips, Christopher Rawson, Alisa Solomon, Jeffrey Sweet, Linda Winer and Charles Wright. Mel Gussow was also a member of the editorial board until his recent death.

 

Published by Limelight Editions, the 86th edition of The Best Plays Theater Yearbook will be dedicated to the memory of longtime Best Plays collaborator, critic Mel Gussow. At his death, Gussow had written essays on Off Off Broadway for 23 editions of The Best Plays Theater Yearbook. Always searching for the fresh, the new and the lively in theater, Gussow had a profound and lasting impact on the art form in the United States. His colleagues at Best Plays mourn his passing and strongly agree with former editor Henry Hewes, who recently said of Gussow, “He’s irreplaceable.” For the 86th edition, editorial board member John Istel will create an Off Off Broadway essay employing interviews with critics and creators to provide an overview of the OOB season. Editor Jenkins will continue to survey the Broadway and Off Broadway season.

 

Each of the Best Plays of 2004–2005 will be celebrated in an essay to be published in The Best Plays Theater Yearbook 2004–2005. The Best Plays of 2004–2005 (in alphabetical order):

 

After Ashley by Gina Gionfriddo

Essay by Elizabeth Maupin

Brooklyn Boy by Donald Margulies

Essay by Michael Feingold

Democracy by Michael Frayn

Essay by Chris Jones

Doubt, a Parable by John Patrick Shanley

Essay by Jeremy McCarter

Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson

Essay by Christopher Rawson

Guantánamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom by Victoria Brittain & Gillian Slovo

Essay by Charles Wright

Hot ’n’ Throbbing by Paula Vogel

Essay by David Savran

A Number by Caryl Churchill

Essay by Robert Hurwitt

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh

Essay by John Istel

Romance by David Mamet

Essay by Robert Vorlicky


Mailing address:
Jeffrey Eric Jenkins
Best Plays
825 President Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215-1405
Phone: 718-789-5553
E-mail: editor@bestplaysonline.com