FROM THE FOOTLIGHTS - October 1997

Footlights Uncovers 'Buried Child'

On Thursday, October 16, we anticipate Halloween & continue our series on children with Sam Shepard's 'Buried Child' (1978)--the 1st play premiering off-Broadway to win the Pulitzer Prize. Set in a shabby midwestern farmhouse, 'Buried Child' portrays a young man's attempt to rediscover his identity in a family gripped by sordid secrets. Recently The New York Times affirmed the play's status as 'a bona fide classic: a work that conveys the mystical, cannibalistic pull of family ties even as they unravel.' For October we return to North China Restaurant, 7814 Old Georgetown Rd. (MD-187) at Cordell Ave. in Bethesda, 4 blocks N of the Bethesda Metro (take both up escalators & turn left). The restaurant has valet parking ($2); you can also park on the street. Dinner's at 6:30 & our discussion from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. Make reservations by calling Mark Gruenberg ((202) 638-0444) or by e-mail to [email protected]. Look for the original script of 'Buried Child,' in the Shepard collection 'Seven Plays,' at discount bookstore Super Crown, 11 Dupont Circle & 5110 Nicholson Lane (White Flint Shopping Center) & for a special Footlights discount at Olsson's, 1307 19th St., NW, & Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW. Shepard somewhat revised the play in 1995; you can find the revised edition only at Backstage Books, 2101 P St., NW. The versions are very similar; you can read either & participate fully in our discussion. Footlights member Robin Black will lead our discussion. Robin, who has a graduate degree in English literature, has written extensively on Sam Shepard & delivered papers at numerous drama & literature conferences. She's currently researching Shepard's family background, especially as it relates to his family dramas such as 'Buried Child.'

Footlights Visits 'Our Town'-Twice!

On Monday, November 17, we continue our series on children with Thornton Wilder's 'Our Town,' winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize. Our discussion will feature an introduction by Footlights' own Mary-Margaret McGrail. On Saturday, December 6, Footlights will read 'Our Town' at our 1st ever holiday potluck & playreading party. Start thinking now about what character you'd like to portray! Madness descends in February-stay tuned!

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