Reviews

The Baltimore Waltz and Other Plays by David Savran, Paula Vogel

ashleysmilne's review against another edition

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5.0

always so moved by the empathy and clarity paula vogel writes with, this is such a solidly surging collection

jdgcreates's review against another edition

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4.0

One zinger after another in this volume, which isn't surprising having read a couple of her other plays. I am slightly ashamed to admit that I didn't finish the one play whose societal significance she personally introduces with heartfelt urgency, "Hot 'N' Throbbing." I just couldn't take a strong dose of domestic violence, pornography, etc. right now without emotional damage. I hope, like Vogel hopes, that as a whole we can eventually take it on stage and on the page, because I can't think of a better playwright to entrust with the task of making it meaningful, sincere, and important, as well as being--in its own way--entertaining.

One of my favorite scenes is in "And Baby Makes Seven" when, Peter, very badly shaken-up, returns from the hospital where he's just witnessed the birth of the child he fathered with one half of a lesbian couple:

PETER: "Did you ever imagine? Have you ever seen anything like that? It was nothing like that movie they showed us. Before tonight in that delivery room, I thought 'Aliens' was science fiction. Those things bursting out of people's bodies--it didn't look human? Did it? Look at that!! Look at how my hands are still shaking--see? I don't know if I'm laughing or crying. Is this how you feel when you get your period?"

To answer your question, Peter: Yes.

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