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Home , Agnes Boulton, Brian Dennehy, Monte Cristo Cottage, Nathan Lane, Provincetown Players, Susan Glaspell

April 2015 SOCIETY BOARD

PRESIDENT Jeff Kennedy [email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT J. Chris Westgate [email protected]

SECRETARY/TREASURER Beth Wynstra [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY – ASIA: Haiping Liu [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY – Centennial, 4-5 at BAM, 6-7 EUROPE: Marc Maufort [email protected]

GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR: Steven Bloom [email protected]

Jackson Bryer [email protected]

Michael Burlingame [email protected]

Robert M. Dowling [email protected]

Thierry Dubost [email protected]

Eugene O’Neill puppet at presentation of Monte Cristo Award to , 8-9 Eileen Herrmann [email protected]

Katie Johnson [email protected] What’s Inside Daniel Larner President’s message…………………..2-3 ‘Exorcism’ Reframed ……………….12-13 [email protected]

Provincetown Players Centennial…….4-5 Member News………………….…...14-17 Cynthia McCown The Iceman Cometh/BAM……….……..6-7 Honorary Board of Directors..……...…17 [email protected]

The O’Neill, Monte Cristo Award…...8-9 Members lists: New, upgraded………...17 Anne G. Morgan Comparative Drama Conference….10-11 Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House: [email protected]

Calls for Papers…………………….….11 Artists in Residence, Upcoming…...18-19 David Palmer Eugene O’Neill Review…………….….12 Contributors…………………………...20 [email protected]

Robert Richter [email protected]

EX OFFICIO IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT The Eugene O’Neill Society Kurt Eisen [email protected] Founded 1979 • eugeneoneillsociety.org THE EUGENE O’NEILL REVIEW A nonprofit scholarly and professional organization devoted to the promotion and Editor: William Davies King [email protected] study of the life and works of Eugene O’Neill and the drama and theatre for which NEWSLETTER his work was in large part the instigator and model. Editor: Jo Morello [email protected]

The Eugene O’Neill Society publishes this newsletter and the scholarly journal The

Eugene O’Neill Review twice each year for members. Please direct newsletter

correspondence to Secretary/Treasurer Beth Wynstra at 26 Salem End Lane,

Framingham, MA 01702 or [email protected]. © 2015 by the Eugene O’Neill

Society. All rights reserved.

A Message from Society president Jeff Kennedy A few of us went backstage and met Major centennials: , who graciously took Provincetown, MA photos and welcomed us after giving a We have some major centennials to bravura performance. celebrate in the near future that highlight the Society in important Comparative Drama Conference ways. First, we’ll meet in Just two weeks later, many of us were Provincetown from July 9-12 for a in Baltimore at the Comparative casual but exciting summer conference Drama Conference, again enjoying co-sponsored with the International being together, sharing and receiving Society to celebrate the th important scholarship, participating in 100 birthday of the Provincetown discussions, and convening for our Players. Details appear on pages 4-5, annual Society Business meeting. and I hope that many of you will Dear O’Neill Society Members: decide to join us (and if you are, I Special thanks to David Palmer and highly recommend you secure your Happy Spring! (or as we call it here in Chris Westgate for organizing and accommodations ASAP!). Phoenix, early summer…it’s 92 de- moderating panels at the conference, grees as I write this!). I hope the thaw- particularly “Visions of Tragedy in Our activities will include roundtable ing process is well in progress where American Theatre,” which I and a panels, a walking tour of important you are after such a cold and long win- number of our members participated Players’ sites, a beach celebration of ter for many of you. For those of you in. the first plays, a visit to the who teach, the end of the semester is Provincetown Museum (which at hand, paper and project grading is in Annual Business Meeting highlights the Players and their wharf full flower, and graduation ceremonies While at the Conference we convened playhouse) and the Provincetown loom ahead. As we move into the for our annual Society Business Library, performances at the summer, we have many exciting things meeting and accomplished much. We: Provincetown Theatre of four one- before us as a Society. acts, and a closing brunch celebrating  voted to extend our Presidential our Societies. What a great mid- The Iceman Cometh terms to three years (to match summer event this is going to be! As reported in more detail elsewhere the cycle of Society-sponsored in this newsletter, it was wonderful to conferences); (Continued on page 3) host 30 of our members to see the  elected our new officers; stunning performance of The Iceman  approved a new Cometh at the Academy of membership dues Music in March. Not only was it great structure; and to enjoy the fellowship of being with  reported and discussed the each other for this special event, but I many challenges and was so struck by the energy of the opportunities that face us audience to see this monumental as a Society. O’Neill play; it was electric, like when audiences are anticipating seeing a hot, I was thrilled at the new Broadway musical, and it stayed attendance, the level of this way through all three discussion, and the helpful intermissions! What a joy to feel this input and suggestions from our for an O’Neill work; I felt later we Eugene O’Neill, seated on bunk, appears in his first membership. should have had brochures to pass out production, Bound East for Cardiff, staged on a to everyone to join the Society! wharf in Provincetown in July 1916.

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 2 April 2015

President’s message (continued) Society prepares for Centennial celebrations in Provincetown and worldwide (Continued from page 2) appropriately (or send a

check to our secretary at Major Centennial: Worldwide the address in the next Next, we want to remind you that column). 2016 is the centennial of O’Neill’s first play being produced by the Players, After 13 years of no and we’re encouraging theatres all increase, we have just over the U. S. and the world to voted at our business program O’Neill plays into their meeting to raise our dues seasons to mark this. Why don’t you (though not for students), The Facebook page of the Eugene O’Neill International consider sending an email or letter to but this won’t take place Society on April 12, 2015. the theatres in your area encouraging until next year. Even with this? Chris Westgate can provide you this increase, we still have some of with a letter to send if you’d like as we the lowest dues of any significant How to Renew really focus our energies on this society currently. I’ve devoted Your Membership important milestone to promote myself to working on this issue and O’Neill. I’m even hosting an O’Neill will be writing individual letters to Memberships in the Eugene Festival in the city of Phoenix in Fall our lapsed members, encouraging O’Neill Society are offered at 2016; maybe there’s something you them to get up-to-date on their the current rate through De- can do to make an effect on your membership status. Also, if there are cember 31, 2015: community as well. issues that have caused you to decide Level of Membership

not to rejoin, I really hope that you’ll General $ 35.00 I want to close my greeting with a share these by writing to me at Student $ 15.00 serious “in-family” matter that I hope [email protected]. Emeritus $ 25.00 you’ll give your attention to. The Sustaining $ 50.00 Eugene O’Neill Society has never Our dues primarily go toward the Lifetime $ 500.00 focused on financial matters or spent expense of producing and distributing Two members, much of our energies fund-raising. The Eugene O’Neill Review, the one household $ 45.00 However, we are in a serious financial premiere journal on O’Neill situation simply because the majority scholarship in the world, the receiving After selecting your desired of our members have not paid/ of which is one of the primary benefits level of membership, you may renewed their dues for this year. In of membership in our Society. renew in one of two ways: fact, currently LESS THAN HALF the number of people who attended our I’m looking forward to seeing many of ■ To renew online, click HERE. conference last June have renewed you this summer in Provincetown. If ■ To renew by mail, write a their memberships. you haven’t done so, please join (by check payable to the Eugene “liking”) our Society Facebook page at O’Neill Society and send it to I’ve chosen to believe thus far that this “Eugene O’Neill International Society,” Beth Wynstra, Secretary/ situation has been about busy people where news items and pics are shared Treasurer, 26 Salem End Lane, just neglecting or forgetting to take on a regular basis, keeping you in care of this, but now we’re in such a Framingham, MA 01702. touch with our members and our serious situation that we can no longer activities. Also, watch in the near Please direct any questions ignore it, regardless of the reason. So, future for a launch announcement about membership renewal to I’m now imploring you to check to see about our new Society website, which Beth Wynstra if your dues for this year have been is in the works! [email protected] paid and, if not, please go to our Jeff website and pay your dues

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 3 April 2015

Conference: Provincetown Players Centennial, July 9-12 Susan Glaspell and Eugene O’Neill Societies co-sponsor conference By Jeff Kennedy, Ph.D. Suppressed Desires, Constancy, Trifles, and The Sniper at Provincetown To celebrate the 100-year anniversary Theatre, followed by a panel with of the founding of the Provincetown Robert M. Dowling, Linda Ben-Zvi and Players, the International Susan Jeff Kennedy, moderated by Susan Glaspell Society and Eugene O’Neill Rand Brown. This will be followed by International Society have teamed to a gala reception. co-sponsor the Provincetown Players The Provincetown Theater Centennial 2015, a summer mini- PHOTO: JO MORELLO Sunday, July 12: A.M.: Conference conference, from July 9-12, 2015, in will end with a brunch that honors our Here’s our current schedule (with the Provincetown, MA. For this occasion, two Societies, followed by a book talk possibility of some changes): we return to the scene where their by Robert M. Dowling, author of

O’Neill: A Life in Four Acts, recently first plays were read in Hutchins Thursday, July 9, 6:00 P.M.: chosen by the Los Angeles Times as a Hapgood and ’s rented Opening dinner together followed by home facing Provincetown bay on July Book Prize finalist. an introduction to Provincetown and

15, 1915. the world of the Provincetown Conference registration of $45 Players. This four-day celebration will mark includes all panel sessions, Saturday that important event with a tour of Friday, July 10: A.M.: A walking theatre tickets and reception and the area, roundtable panel sessions, an tour of Provincetown and the east end Sunday brunch). To obtain registration evening on the beach recalling that Provincetown Players sites, following materials or register, contact me at special first night (complete with Jig by an afternoon roundtable panel [email protected]. Cook’s Fish House Punch!), a visit to session at the Provincetown Library. You should arrange housing on your the Provincetown Museum and P.M.: Celebration of the first night of own. (On February 24 I sent a list of Library, performances at the Players’ readings, on the beach! Provincetown Theatre of four one-act then-available hotels and B&Bs. Please plays presented by the Players, a Saturday, July 11: A.M.: Tour of let me know if you need this list.) reception, a Sunday brunch and much Provincetown Museum and roundtable I hope you will join us for this exciting more! panel. P.M.: Performances of joint-society event this summer!

“Eugene O’Neill, a twenty-seven-year-old untried play- wright, came to Provincetown the summer of 1916 looking for a stage [for his one-act play Bound East for Cardiff]. He found it perched on the waterfront, scruffy and salty, awaiting his debut. … And with a beginner’s luck, on premiere night the sea provided a bonus of special effects: a thick fog, a wailing foghorn, and a high tide rushing in and splashing beneath the floorboards. … The stage itself nearly floated on wa- ter. It was on the first floor of a two-story converted fishhouse at the far end of rickety Lewis Wharf, which reached about 100 feet into Provincetown har- bor. Throughout the performance incoming waves, swelled by a new moon, flooded the tidal flats and battered the spindly pilings under the fishhouse. For days the weather had been muggy and damp, not at all unusual in the summer when a tropical front stalls off the coast of Cape Cod. Just before 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 28, 1916, the wind changed to the north and the freshening breeze locked the town in a moist, cool fog.”—Leona Rust Egan, Provincetown as a Stage

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 4 April 2015

Conference: Provincetown Players Centennial, July 9-12 (continued) Roundtable Topics for Provincetown Centennial Conference, July 2015

By Jeff Kennedy, Ph.D. feature biographical/textual topics for “Jig, Susan, and Gene: The Triumvirate that Shaped the discussion–that is, they encourage examination of the many ways in Provincetown Players” which the lives of the Provincetowners affected and inspired their works. It is to be hoped that these Roundtables will encourage a stimulating exchange of ideas among us and inspire new scholarship in the future.

Send your title and a brief description of your topic to the appropriate Chair Susan Glaspell at typewriter (Berg Collec- by May 15, 2015. tion, Public Library)

"Intertextualities in Works by

Women Playwrights of the ‎What were the mutual influences and Provincetown Players" inspirations among and between these

Dunes in Provincetown three? Panelists could reassess Jig The Provincetown Players spent many PHOTO: JO MORELLO Cook’s contribution to the founding of hours together on the dunes, drinking the Players; revisit iconic moments and talking, and the cross-influences of The International Susan Glaspell such as the “discovery” of Eugene their discussions can be seen in their Society and the Eugene O’Neill O’Neill or the break-up of the Players; plays. They also used their own, and International Society are co- analyze textual cross currents one another’s, love affairs and sponsoring the Provincetown between Glaspell and O’Neill; discuss experiences as the subject matter of Centennial Conference from July 9-12 theoretical similarities and/or their writing, often at the risk of in Provincetown, MA). Roundtables differences; and finally, assess their offending their friends. This panel will are being offered instead of panels in contributions to the history of the look at the interaction—friendships, order to enable as many participants Players and modern American and jealousies, and enmities—between the as possible to attend. Participants will international drama and theatre Provincetown women and how it present a 5-15 minute talk on their practices. affected their lives and transpired in topic (depending upon the size of the Chair: Linda Ben-Zvi their writing. group), then group discussion will be [email protected] Chair: Martha C. Carpentier encouraged. All of the Roundtables [email protected]

Provincetown Travel Notes & Links

Several major airports and a few smaller ones serve The internet offers a wealth of information including the Provincetown area. Among the major airports are driving directions and accommodations. See:

Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC), Boston Logan ■ Tourism Office of Provincetown: International Airport (BOS), and T. F. Green Airport (PVD) provincetowntourismoffice.org/ in Providence, R.I. The latter two airports are each about 2.5 hours driving time to Provincetown. In addition, Province- ■ Town of Provincetown, MA: town Fast Ferry provides transportation from Logan www.provincetown-ma.gov Airport (www.provincetownfastferry.com/). ■ Provincetown Chamber Of Commerce, Inc.:

www.ptownchamber.com

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 5 April 2015

Member News: The Iceman Cometh at BAM Society members share dinner and theatre experience with The Iceman Cometh By Jo Morello incredible evening our Society members had together this past Eugene O’Neill’s play The Iceman Saturday, first at dinner at Cometh at Brooklyn Academy of Music Scopello's, a wonderful Italian was an event as well as a play. The restaurant down the street from acclaimed, award-winning production BAM, then attending together was transferred virtually intact from its the riveting production of The 2012 production at ’s Iceman Cometh at Brooklyn for a limited run Academy of Music. Afterwards, from Feb. 5 through Mar. 15. (For many went backstage to meet information and a review of the pro- one of the play's stars, Brian duction at the Goodman, see pages 12 Dennehy!” -14 of our Summer 2012 newsletter.) Producer and BAM On March 14, thirty Society members reunited Goodman director and friends trekked from such far-flung and the original 18- Following his searing performance as Larry Slade states as Massachusetts, Connecticut, actor cast, which was headed by in BAM’s production of The Iceman Cometh, Florida, Arizona and California to see longtime friends Nathan Lane Brian Dennehy speaks with Society president Jeff this dramatic masterpiece by the man and Brian Dennehy, both two- Kennedy in Dennehy’s dressing room. whose work they regularly celebrate. time Tony winners. Those in the They weren’t disappointed. audience on March 14 saw the penulti- nehy, who told the New York Daily mate performance. News, “The Brooklyn audiences are Twenty of the group had met earlier better. … These are all subscribers to that evening to share a dinner The landmark production of The Ice- BAM, so they really are sophisticated arranged by Society president Jeff man Cometh is not eligible for Tony or theatergoers and they knew they were Kennedy. Jeff later wrote on the Soci- Obie awards since Brooklyn is in seeing something special. If you were ety’s Facebook page, “What an neither a Broadway nor off-Broadway doing it on Broadway, everyone at 11 location. That doesn’t bother Den- o’clock is looking at their watch and walking out because we were on ’till 12 (and) they’ve got to catch their train, so it’s a different thing.”

Even so, the BAM production has been nominated for the 60th Annual Drama Desk and 81st Annual Drama League Awards for Best Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play. Now in their 81st year, the Drama League Awards are the oldest theatrical honors in America.

Despite having just completed his acclaimed performance as Larry Slade in the four-plus The Iceman Cometh also captured hours of Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh at BAM, Brian Dennehy (back row, awards during its production at the center) graciously welcomed members and guests of the Eugene O’Neill Society into his Goodman, including six Joseph Jeffer- dressing room on March 14 after they had viewed—and experienced—the intense, son Awards along with others. much-lauded drama. (Continued on page 7)

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 6 April 2015

Member News: The Iceman Cometh at BAM (continued) Dennehy achieves nearly three decades of interpreting O’Neill’s plays

Poet and Erie Smith in . Notes from the director

Dennehy’s forays into the world of I have long regarded Eugene O'Neill “the father of modern American as the greatest playwright that Amer- drama” began in earnest soon after his ica has produced so far—and my on- 1986 appearance at Chicago’s going fascination with his plays has Goodman Theatre in Bertolt Brecht’s been a centerpiece of my 28-year ten- Galileo, which was Robert Falls’ debut ure as Artistic Director of Chicago's as the Goodman’s artistic director. Goodman Theatre. During this time

Brian Dennehy has been my primary The production led to a significant collaborator; his own love of this es- Larry Slade (Brian Dennehy) and Hickey artistic collaboration between the two, sential American writer has led to which has so far endured for nearly (Nathan Lane) reach an impasse at towering performances in half a dozen three decades and resulted in Harry Hope’s Saloon in Eugene O’Neill’s O'Neill productions through the The Iceman Cometh. landmark productions of work by years, including a memorable turn as Brecht, Beckett, Miller and other Hickey in The Iceman Cometh in 1990. Dennehy, Lane and O’Neillians major playwrights in addition to Several years ago, Brian and I men- O’Neillians have a longstanding mutual O’Neill. Several of these, including tioned in an interview that we'd like -admiration relationship with Dennehy Long Day’s Journey Into Night, have to explore the play again, with Brian and have begun one with Nathan Lane transferred to Broadway and garnered now playing the role of Larry Slade; (pages 8-9). Dennehy regularly attends numerous Tony and other awards. Nathan Lane, a great friend of Brian's, events and activities of the Society and caught wind of this, and contacted me the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center The Dennehy-Falls artistic partnership about his interest in Hickey, a role and serves on the board of the latter. has brought audiences O’Neill’s The he'd long wanted to tackle. It took Each organization has bestowed its Iceman Cometh (Dennehy as Hickey, several years for our various sched- highest honor on Dennehy. The 1990), Touch of the Poet (1996), Long ules to mesh…. The resulting produc- O’Neill Theater Center honored the Day’s Journey (2002-2003), Hughie tion … was one of which we were all actor with its Monte Cristo Award in (2004 and 2010), extremely proud. 2004. In 2011, the Society presented (2009), The Iceman Cometh (Dennehy the Eugene O’Neill Medallion Award as Slade (2012 and 2015). -Robert Falls, Director to Dennehy—and also to director Robert Falls. His work is broader than stage, with Golden Globe and been nominated extensive film and TV credits as well. six times for a Primetime Emmy Over the past three decades Dennehy Dennehy’s numerous honors include Award. He was inducted into the has become known as a major two (Death of a Sales- American Theater Hall of Fame in interpreter of O’Neill’s work. In that man, 1999; Long Day’s Journey into 2010. regard he is often considered the Night, 2003). He has also won a PHOTOS: THE GOODMAN THEATRE logical successor to the late . In addition to The Iceman Cometh (in which Robards portrayed Theodore “Hickey” Hickman while Dennehy has played Hickey and Slade in different productions), both actors delivered memorable performances as James Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Con Melody in A Touch of the

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 7 April 2015

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center: Monte Cristo Award Brian Dennehy presents 15th Annual Monte Cristo Award to Nathan Lane 1 2

By Anne Morgan 4 3 Eugene O'Neill was present in more ways than one at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s 15th annual Monte Cristo Awards on Monday, April 13. The award is given annually to a theater artist 1. Eugene O’Neill, embodied as a puppet operated by Tyler who exemplifies Bunch, right, oversees the script read by Preston Whiteway, ex- Eugene O'Neill's ecutive director of the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center on April 13. "pioneering spirit, 2. Brian Dennehy prepares to present the Monte Cristo Award to unceasing artistic Nathan Lane. 3. Nathan Lane acknowledges the honor. 4. Pre- commitment, ston Whiteway and Nathan Lane pose with the Award. excellence, and accomplishment.” The playwright presented the prestigious award to performance in The Iceman Cometh as made a personal appearance in puppet Nathan Lane. Dennehy and Lane "the high point of my acting career, for form, thanks to the talents of Eugene recently appeared together in a which I will be forever grateful.... I’m O'Neill Theater Center puppetry alum production of O’Neill’s masterpiece not the same actor I was before I Tyler Bunch, and had a lively joke-off The Iceman Cometh that was first started. O’Neill can do that. He’s the with Eugene O’Neill Theater Center produced by the Goodman Theatre in daddy of American drama, the executive director Preston Whiteway. Chicago and then at the Brooklyn American Shakespeare, and he asks Academy of Music in New York. you to go to the most difficult O’Neill’s spirit continued to be felt emotional places." when O'Neill Center's board member Lane, who can currently be seen on Brian Dennehy, himself a recipient of Broadway in Terrance McNally’s It’s PHOTO #4 BY T. CHARLES ERICKSON; the Monte Cristo Award in 2004, Only A Play, described his recent ALL OTHERS BY GETTY IMAGES

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 8 April 2015

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center: Monte Cristo Award and more (continued) Monte Cristo recipient Nathan Lane has long, proud history as an actor By Jo Morello Awards, 1996; Max

Bailystock in the Hundreds of theatrical royalty gath- musical The Produc- ered in New York’s Edison Ballroom ers, Drama Desk, on April 13 to celebrate a joyous oc- Outer Critics Cir- casion: The Eugene O’Neill Theater cle and Tony Center’s presentation of the 15th Awards, 2001; Oliv- Monte Cristo award, its most prestig- ier Award, 2005; ious honor, to Nathan Lane (page 8). and Oscar Madison A grateful Lane fought back tears. in , 2005. Less than a Fittingly, the presentation was made by year after Iceman Brian Dennehy, an O’Neill Theater closed in Chicago, Hickey (Nathan Lane) expounds on his philosophy in The Ice- Center board member, previous Lane garnered a man Cometh. PHOTO: THE GOODMAN THEATRE Monte Cristo recipient (2004) and Tony nomination at Lane’s co-star in Eugene O’Neill’s play for (which prise the role of Hickey. Now he’s The Iceman Cometh. This highly lauded aired on PBS on October 10, 2014 and back in McNally’s comedy with fre- play, directed by Robert Falls for the can be viewed HERE). quent co-star . Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 2012, transferred to the Brooklyn Academy Lane’s talent extends to the large and Nathan Lane has achieved a remark- of Music this February and March. small screens, notably as Albert, co- able legacy on stage and screen, win- starring with Robin Williams in the ning two Tony Awards, five Drama Lane has a long history of memorable movie . His extensive TV Desk Awards, two Obies, an Olivier, stage performances, many of them work includes recurring roles in Mod- an award from the Screen Actors comedies—perhaps appropriate for a ern Family and . He has Guild Award and two . man who started out as a stand-up also voiced Snowbell in Stuart Little and He was inducted into the American comic. His roles have included Nathan Timon in . Theatre Hall of Fame in 2008. Detroit in (the origin of his since another actor Just as Dennehy forged an exciting The Monte Cristo Award was using “Joseph Lane,” his given artistic relationship with director Eugene O’Neill was a groundbreaking name), and Tony Robert Falls, so did Lane find a simpa- playwright and the only American nomination, 1992; Pseudolus in A tico creative partner in playwright dramatist to receive the Nobel Prize Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Terrence McNally. Their collaboration in Literature. He set his masterpiece the Forum, Drama Desk and Tony began with McNally’s comedy-drama Long Day's Journey Into Night and his The Lisbon Traviata in 1989, continued popular comedy Ah, Wilderness! at his The O’Neill announces with other McNally plays (including childhood home, the , in New , CT. The its 2015 summer season Lips Together, Teeth Apart, 1991; and trophy (pictured on page 8) is a sculp- By Anne G. Morgan Love, Valour, Compassion, 1994, 1995); ture made from a photo of the child ended after a rift and has been revived. The Eugene O’Neill Theater O’Neill at 6, drawing on the dock near Center recently announced its line Lane co-starred with Dennehy in the Monte Cristo Cottage. -up for the summer season. In Goodman’s 2012 revival of The Iceman Past Monte Cristo Award recipients addition to works of puppetry and Cometh, which became the most suc- include Brian Dennehy, Meryl Streep, cabaret, three new musicals and cessful show in the theatre’s history. , Michael Doug- eight new plays will be developed. As Iceman made its way to BAM, Lane las, , Hal Prince, James To learn more, click HERE. took a break from in McNally’s latest Broadway hit, It’s Only a Play, to re- Earl Jones, and . Eugene O’Neill Society Page 9 April 2015

Conferences: Comparative Drama Conference, March 26-28, 2015 Unofficial ‘O’Neill Day’ sparks activities at Comparative Drama Conference Conference Report CDC Overview: Euripides, Ibsen, syphilis and more By Jeff Kennedy By David Palmer

The Eugene O’Neill Society was well- Over the past four decades, the Comparative Drama Conference has represented at the Comparative emerged as the premier annual gathering of theatre scholars in the United Drama Conference held in Baltimore, States. At its 39th meeting, sponsored by Stevenson University in Baltimore, Maryland, from March 26-28. Many of O'Neillians were well represented at a variety of events. Most active was our members, particularly Society vice Chris Westgate, whose panel on intertextuality considered works from president Chris Westgate, were Euripides, Ibsen, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Wertenbaker, among involved in a number of sessions others. He also gave a paper on syphilis in a panel on dramas of the during the first two days of the American and chaired a second panel on O'Neill and conference, which featured a keynote ecocriticism. address Friday night by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. However, representatives from eight of the papers by Robert Baker-White, Katie Saturday, March 28, could have been playwright societies, each discussing Johnson and myself. The scholarship called “O’Neill Day” with the number that playwright’s approach to tragedy presented over these three days was of sessions we were involved in. (Natka Bianchini on Albee, Sharon insightful, the discussions rich and the Friedman on Glaspell, Brenda Murphy fellowship and meals shared together Annual Business Meeting on Mamet, Stephen A. Mariano on delightful. Miller, our own Jackson Bryer on , Susan C. W. (Additional photos on page 11.) Abbotson on Williams, and Sandra G. Shannon on Wilson).

This was followed by a discussion with the audience moderated by Chris Westgate, and all was Eugene O’Neill Society president Jeff Ken- organized by David nedy and board chair Steve Bloom con- Palmer (who is not duct the Society’s annual meeting. only a member of At 9 a.m. we had our O’Neill Society the O’Neill Annual Business Meeting, where we Society, but the VP elected a new slate of officers, of the Arthur Jeff Kennedy, seated, center, represented the O’Neill Society in approved new membership dues and Miller Society). the plenary session “Visions of Tragedy in American Theatre,” discussed the business of the Society which was sponsored by the Society and featured in a productive and forward-looking Immediately after, representatives from eight of the playwright societies. Seated from way. our own O’Neill left they are Natka Bianchini/, Kennedy, and Susan Society-sponsored C. W. Abbotson/. Standing behind them are Then at 1:30 p.m., I represented the panel, “O’Neill and Society vice president Chris Westgate, who moderated two pan- O’Neill Society in the plenary session Ecocriticsm,” took els; Stephen A. Mariano/Arthur Miller; Society past presidents “Visions of Tragedy in American place, moderated Brenda Murphy/ and Jackson Bryer/Thornton Theatre,” sponsored by the Arthur by Chris Westgate Wilder; Sandra G. Shannon/ and Sharon Friedman/ Miller Society and featuring and featuring Susan Glaspell. Eugene O’Neill Society Page 10 April 2015

Conferences: ALA; CFPs: P’town, July 9-12; American Theatre & Drama, May 2016; ALA, May 2016 Society presents panels, holds annual business meeting at CDC Conference

Above, Robert Baker-White (left) and Katie Johnson present papers for the Society-sponsored panel on “O’Neill and Eco-criticsm.” Right, members of the Eugene O’Neill Society convene for the 39th Annual Comparative Drama Con- ference held in Baltimore, MD, from March 26-28. In conjunction with the event, the Society held its annual meet- ing on March 28. PHOTOS BY JEFF KENNEDY AND OTHER CONFERENCE ATTENDEES

CFPs present opportunities in Provincetown, MA, and San Francisco, CA Provincetown Centennial American Literature runs from May 21-24, 2015, at the Celebration Association Westin Copley Place in Boston, MA. The conference director is Olivia July 9-12, 2015 May 26-29, 2016 Carr Edenfield, Georgia Southern Provincetown, MA San Francisco, CA University. To learn more about the

ALA, click HERE. Proposals due: May 15, 2015 Proposals due: TBA

Details: Pages 4-5 Mark you calendar and

watch for announcements. CANCELED: 5th International The American Literature Association, Conference on American founded in 1989, is a coalition of Theatre and Drama societies devoted to the study of American authors. The major activity Dra. Noelia Hernando Real, a of the ALA is its annual conference, member of the Conference and members have already selected Organizing Committee, has written, San Francisco as the site for its 2016 “We regret to inform you that due event. Further Details will be to unexpected circumstances, we are distributed when available. forced to cancel the International Conference on American Theatre Pilgrim Monument and The ALA is finalizing arrangements and Drama, that was to be held in Provincetown Museum for its current conference, which Málaga in May 25-27, 2016.”

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 11 April 2015

Member News: The Eugene O’Neill Review, Exorcism Reframed Special issue planned for The Eugene O’Neill Review By William Davies King This section will be co-edited by Beth follow the style guidelines of the Chi- Wynstra and William Davies King, and cago Manual of Style, including endnote In recognition of a recent surge in ex- the deadline for submissions will be citations. Queries about book and per- ploring Eugene O’Neill as a dramatic March 1, 2016. formance reviews should go to J. Chris character (see Jo Morello’s “O’Neill Westgate for books jcwest- on stage: the playwright’s characters, We are interested in considering [email protected] the playwright as character” in the monologues, one-acts and full-length and Katie Johnson for performances Winter 2013 Newsletter, pages 12-18, plays. However, due to space con- [email protected]. for an overview of such works, and straints, we expect to limit the presen- also see her plays for several exam- tation of any single work to about ————- ples), the Eugene O’Neill Review will 5000 words, so longer works will need *Editor’s note: A recent example of devote a special section to such to be excerpted. “O’Neill on stage … the playwright as dramatizations in the Fall 2016 issue character” was the February reading (Volume 37, No. 2).* Authors of longer works should sub- of O’Neill’s Exorcism, for which Wil- mit the complete script but advise liam Davies King developed a frame how the work might be excerpted. that added the character of Eugene Each piece must be prefaced with a O’Neill, viewing and commenting on discussion of the dramaturgical issues the presentation of Exorcism. King de- faced in bringing the life of Eugene scribes the event in the article below. O’Neill to the stage, approximately 500 words. Submissions should be

sent simultaneously to Beth Wynstra [email protected] and me at Deadlines for The ([email protected]). Eugene O’Neill Review

At Gene’s bedside, Saxe Commins (Tom Spring 2016 Call for Articles Spring 2016 issue (37.1): Phillips) and Gene O’Neill (Clint Gill) discuss Meanwhile, the Review seeks submis- September 1, 2015 Gene’s options in E.G.O.: The Passions of sions of scholarly articles and other Eugene Gladstone O’Neill by Jo Morello. such academic journal-type material Fall 2016 (37.2): Plays about (Produced as winner of the Kentucky for the Spring 2016 issue (37.1), with a O’Neill March 1, 2016 Women Writers Conference, Balagula deadline of September 1, 2015. Please Theatre Company, Lexington, KY, 2013.) UCSB presents ‘odd but fascinating’ Exorcism Reframed By William Davies King would remain except for a few mixed the 2011 resurfacing of the one copy reviews. Meanwhile, his stronger and of the script that he had kept as an Recent scientific studies seem to show more seemly construction of some of atrocity even worse than the unau- that you need to work on recalling the same old memories in Long Day’s thorized publication of The Lost Plays of memories in order to retain them. Journey would take the place of the Eugene O’Neill in 1950. That publica- Unused memories will fade. Eugene earlier effort as a way of recovering tion brought to light several of the O’Neill apparently hoped for some- that traumatic year of his life, 1912, long-forgotten plays he had written thing like that effect when he sup- when a powerful death instinct gave during his apprenticeship years as a pressed Exorcism after its initial pro- way to an even more powerful crea- writer. Copyright had not been re- duction in 1920. Sad memory of this tive impulse. newed on the scripts he had submitted play of sad memory would weaken, he to the Library of Congress, and so a might have hoped, until no trace O’Neill would surely have looked on (Continued on page 13)

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 12 April 2015

Member News: Exorcism Reframed (continued) Monologue, transcripts, film clips floating female frame play man named Lawrence Gellert character who stood in for all

(check out the fascinating wikipe- the prostitutes and mothers and dia page on him) seized the op- wives in the multi-layered story. portunity to publish them, much to O’Neill’s chagrin. A grouchy tour In the midst of it all, looking se- Exorcism came to light in an even verely unhappy, I took the audi- more extraordinary way, which ence on a grouchy tour through several Society members ex- all this material I had written but plored in a 2013 issue of the would not enjoy. My first line O’Neill Review (34.1). Three doc- was, “I did not want you to see toral candidates at my university this play.” I underscored the had just formed a new company many reasons why Eugene called MindReaders, with the aim O’Neill might not have liked his William Davies King, right, grew a mustache to portray of better integrating performance own play, including the way it the “grouchy” playwright in the dramatic frame he and curriculum. They used the insults his father, his ex-wife and wrapped around Exorcism for a staged reading by Mind occasion of the play’s belated the pals he had at Jimmy the Readers, a new theatre company at UCSB. Jeremy Scharf, publication (by Yale University Priest’s; also the way it insults left, played Ned Malloy in O’Neill’s recently found play. Press) to stage the play, and they good drama. In the Province- commandeered their local O’Neil- Edward Malloy in the play) was diag- town Players’ program, the play was lian—me—to play the role of Eugene nosed with terminal cancer. subtitled: A Play of Anti-Climax. O’Neill mediating the passage of this dingy play of lower Manhattan in 1911- Eventually that frame play got stream- That gives a reason why an experi- 1912 into the sunny environment of lined to a monologue, but James re- mental play might so radically change Santa Barbara in 2015. mained a presence as James Tyrone in from a tone of morose self-hatred (up various clips from the 1962 Sidney Lu- to the point when Ned attempts sui- Joyelle Ball, Yassi Jahanmir, and Haddy met film of the play, also Christopher cide by consuming a handful of pills) to Kreie collaborated in a seemingly Plummer’s brilliant reading of “That jubilant self-mockery when Ned re- seamless way on producing and direct- young man plays Othello better than I solves to set out for the clean air of ing the show, which came to light on ever did!” in a speech from Ric Burns’s Minnesota with a character named February 22 in UCSB’s Graduate Stu- superb documentary. Nordstrum, “Py yiminy!” dent Lounge, a multi-purpose room that had not previously been used as a We also used much of the court tran- My role was largely to watch these stage, and the event was, indeed, multi script of the 1912 divorce case— two scenes, anguishing the failure of -purpose—one part scholarship, one Kathleen Jenkins v. Eugene J. [sic] pathos in the first part and banging my part art, and one part “lounge.” My O’Neill—which gives a historical basis head on the wall (literally) at the fail- part in the affair began on Christmas for one of the Ur-trauma scenes in ure of bathos in the second part. For- Day, 2014, when I started growing an O’Neill’s life, being caught naked in bed tunately I had clips from Long Day’s O’Neill mustache, using the 1939 por- with a prostitute to establish grounds Journey to show that being “a little in trait of O’Neill (frontispiece of my for the divorce. love with death” would eventually critical edition of LDJN) as a guide. yield something anyone could admire. Jeremy Scharf played Ned Malloy (the Around then I was conceiving a little figure of O’Neill in the play), and The audience, I am told, found the frame play, initially a dialogue between Fletcher Hoffman played Jimmy Tomor- event odd but fascinating, and I know Gene and his father, about the awk- row, along with other UCSB undergrads the excellent cast and visionary direc- ward advent of this play at the time who took the other roles in a staged tors learned a lot. I certainly did. And when James O’Neill (who figures as reading of Exorcism, and Victoria Gold- then I got to go home and shave smith silently played a floating female Eugene O’Neill off of my face.

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 13 April 2015

Member News: Books, website, publications, lectures, awards, et alia Rob Dowling’s biography of O’Neill is a finalist for L. A. Times Book Prize

By Jo Morello The biography is just part of Rob’s How O’Neill took on 2014 output. He also teamed with the equally busy Jackson R. Bryer, past the Ku Klux Klan In the 2014 issue of this Society president, noted O’Neill newsletter, we scholar and author,. Together they A biography of 584 pages about a announced a new compiled Eugene O'Neill: The man known for his tragic plays biography of Contemporary Reviews — P a r t must be pretty heavy reading, Eugene O’Neill by of American Critical Archives (Cambridge right? Wrong! R o b e r t M . University Press, August 2014). Both Dowling, Ph.D. books are scheduled for reviews in Before Rob Now we can The Eugene O’Neill Review. Dowling’s book report that it was one of only five Eugene O’Neill: A 2014 biographies to be named a finalist Dowling, a professor of English at Life in Four Acts for the L.A. Times Book Prize. Central Connecticut State University, was published, has published extensively on Eugene Tom Deignan at The 584-page book, Eugene O’Neill: A O’Neill. He serves on the Society’s IrishCentral Life in Four Acts, had already garnered board of directors and the editorial worked from an critical acclaim when Yale University board of The Eugene O’Neill Review. At advance copy to, Press published it in October. Yale the Society’s annual meeting in March, write the article, said, “Written with lively informality he was elected as incoming vice “How Eugene O’Neill took on the yet a scholar’s strict accuracy, Eugene president. Ku Klux Klan,” based on content O’Neill: A Life in Four Acts is a biography he discovered in Rob’s book. that America’s foremost playwright Rob lives in New London, CT, richly deserves.” O’Neill’s boyhood home. Deignan reports on the heated reaction to the New York staging in 1924 of O’Neill’s play All God’s Website, online archive enhance book content Chillun Got Wings, in which an Afri- can-American man and Irish- Katie N. Johnson, Ph.D., has devel- ture archival re- American woman marry, Threats oped a digital companion website and search, primary came from clergy, politicians, jour- archive to her book Sex for Sale: Six materials about nalists and especially the 5-million Progressive Era Brothel Plays. The web- prostitution, and strong, anti-Catholic, anti- site goes live in May at http:// long-lost play immigrant, racist Ku Klux Klan. brotheldrama.lib.miamioh.edu/ scripts. One of the

"brothel dramas" As Deignan relates Dowling’s text, "Prostitution and Brothel Drama in Johnson includes “A Klansman from Georgia threat- the Progressive Era" is a Digital Ar- in the critical anthology, and on the ened O’Neill’s son in a letter, chive and Companion Website for Dr. website, is Eugene O'Neill's 1913 one- prompting the great playwright— Johnson’s print book Sex for Sale: Six act play, The Web. whose father was a famous, Kil- Progressive-Era Brothel Dra- kenny-born actor—to respond mas (University of Press). About the book with a simple, straightforward ob- Sex for Sale (which was previewed in scenity: ‘Go f*** yourself….signed An associate professor in the depart- the November 2014 issue of this Gene Tyrone O’Neill.” ment of English at Miami University of newsletter), deals with the early 20th-

Ohio, Dr. Johnson worked with two century U.S. culture, when sex sold. Want to read more? Buy Rob’s graduate students, Tyler Groff and (Continued on page 15) book! --JM Tory Lowe, in building the site to fea- Eugene O’Neill Society Page 14 April 2015

Member News: Books, website, publications, lectures, awards, et alia Beth Wynstra conducts talkback for new play Lecture in France focuses on O’Neill and the Nobel Beth Wynstra, the Society’s secretary/ treasurer, joined Charles Haugland, dramaturg at Boston’s Huntington Helena Bronnec’Wells lectured at a Theatre, in conducting a talkback fol- conference on January 27 at the Cul- lowing the world premiere of The Sec- tural Center in San Raphaël (French ond Girl by Huntington Playwriting Fel- Riviera). She spoke during the four- low Ronan Noone. Campbell Scott hour interactive conference about directed the play, which has won the the Nobel Prize in Literature that Edgerton Foundation New American Eugene O'Neill received in 1936. Play Award. Her topics included details about On its website the Huntington Thea- Alfred Nobel and the Prize. She fur- tre writes, “With Eugene O'Neill's Charles Haugland, dramaturg at the ther focused on O'Neill and his work classic Long Day's Journey into Night as a Huntington Theatre, Boston, listens as as well as texts of the award and backdrop, The Second Girl is set in the Beth Wynstra answers questions from the O’Neill’s message of appreciation. In downstairs world of the Tyrone family audience attending the world premiere of addition, she signed copies of her lat- kitchen in August 1912. Two Irish im- The Second Girl, a new play by Ronan est book about the playwright, Eugene migrant servant girls and the chauffeur Noone that explores the possible down- O'Neill: An Artist or Nothing (Diogène search for love, success, and a sense of stairs world of maids in the Tyrone house- Editions). She is an author, playwright, belonging in their new world in this hold of Long Day’s Journey Into Night. freelance critic and art director based in France. lyrical and poignant world premiere. PHOTO: CAROLE WYNSTRA

The talkback was part of the Hunting- Goodwin (Team of Rivals) and Beverly Rosemary McLaughlin wins ton’s Humanities Forum, Morgan-Welch (Museum of African- New Jersey Arts Fellowship which explores the context and American History), playwrights Paula in Playwriting for 2015-16 significance of a play with a leading Vogel and Lydia R. Diamond, Boston R o s e m a r y expert. Past forums have featured Globe columnists, and accomplished h i s t o r i a n s Doris Kearns scholars. -JM McLaughlin, p r o f e s s o r and play- ‘Sex for Sale’ book includes six ‘brothel dramas’ wright and poet, has (Continued from page 14) times became long-running hits and b e e n

While known other times sparked fiery obscenity awarded a New Jersey State Council mainly for its debates. on the Arts Fellowship in Playwriting social reforms, for 2015-2016. The award was in the Progressive In Sex for Sale, Johnson recovers six of recognition of her play Paterson Falls, Era was ob- these plays—including O’Neill’s The based on the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike sessed with Web. She presents them with astute Pageant. Paterson Falls, commissioned prostitution, cultural analysis, photographs, and by Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, sexuality, and production histories. The result is a is part of a trilogy spanning 1913 – the staging of new history of U.S. theatre that re- 1920. women’s changing roles in the modern veals the brothel drama’s crucial role era. By the 1910s, plays about prosti- in shaping attitudes toward sexuality, Professor McLaughlin is director of the tution (or “brothel dramas”) had inun- birth control, immigration, urbaniza- Dance Minor in the Department of dated Broadway, where they some- tion, and women’s work. Theatre & Dance at Drew University.

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 15 April 2015

Member News: In Memoriam Tom Porter, Paul Bower Society remembers Tom Porter, ‘first spouse,’ longtime supporter and friend

By Brenda Murphy they moved to Arlington, where he became dean of liberal arts at the Thomas E. Porter (1928-2015), died University of Texas at Arlington. He suddenly on February 13, 2015. He served as dean for 15 years and an was an active member of the O’Neill English professor for another 20, Society and the husband of past- teaching classes in Shakespeare, President Laurie Porter. English and American literature, film, drama, religious studies and Latin.” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Tom was the oldest of five boys After he retired, Tom volunteered as born to Mary and Emmett Porter in an English teacher at St. Ignatius Cleveland, Ohio. “He was a gifted College Prep High School for the last athlete and at 17 had to choose 10 years of his life. He is survived by drama criticism, “Acres of Diamonds: between pitching for the Pittsburgh his wife Laurie, their two daughters, ”‎and “The Passing Pirates' farm team or entering the Kate and Molly, their husbands, Daniel of the Old South: A Streetcar Named priesthood. He chose the church, Schlessinger and Joseph Kastely, and Desire,” as well as “Puritan Ego and entering the Jesuit order in 1945 and granddaughter Cora, as well as other Freudian Unconscious: Mourning eventually earning degrees in classics, family members. Becomes Electra.” philosophy, theology and drama, as well as a Ph.D. in English. Laurie Porter wrote recently about His more recent work on O’Neill Tom’s brilliant teaching in her essay, includes “The Magna Mater: The “Ordained in 1959, he spent most of “Falling in Love with O’Neill” (2012). Maternal Goddess in O’Neill’s his priesthood in higher education, He is remembered by O’Neillians for Plays” (2005) and “Jansenism and serving as professor and dean at his genial presence at meetings and O’Neill’s ‘Black Mystery of the Columbiere, a Jesuit seminary, and the conferences as well as his excellent Soul,’” (2004). He also wrote University of Detroit, where he was scholarship. Tom’s seminal study Myth landmark essays on David Mamet and dean of arts and sciences. In 1978 he and Modern American Drama (1969) Arthur Miller. Tom Porter will be left the priesthood and married Laurie includes three influential essays that missed in many ways. Reininga, also an English professor, and have become classics of American

Paul Bower’s passing evokes memories of his times with Martha and O’Neillians

Paul Allison Bower passed away cent passing of Paul Bower, husband of peacefully, at the age of 89, with his our colleague Martha Gilman Bower. wife Martha and sons at his side in Paul was a man of many talents and Ormond Beach, FL. He was at the professional interests, with college and Hospice in the Florida Memorial Hos- graduate degrees in engineering, psy- pital. The Concord Monitor (NH) re- chology and business administration, ports that there will be a Celebration and a teaching appointment in busi- of Life on June 6 at 2 p.m. at the Uni- ness and economics at New England tarian Church of Concord. College among his various endeavors. Fortunately, Paul found time to ac- Paul’s name evokes fond memories company Martha at Society gatherings among O’Neilians. Society past presi- where his sly and kind tolerance of dent Kurt Eisen wrote, “The O’Neill avid O’Neill specialists always made community was saddened by the re- him great company.”

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 16 April 2015

Member News: Publications, Members, Honorary Board of Directors

‘O’Neill’s Journey’ presents Thanks to our general members … and these members too! psychoanalytic approach NEW MEMBERS Michael O'Neill George Mandelbaum, Ph.D., has Daniel Boulos David Palmer published a paper entitled "O'Neill's Gail Ann Cohen Alex Pettit Journey” in the January 2015 issue of Michael Hinden Laurie Porter Psychoanalytic Quarterly. Primarily a Joseph Kane Robert A. Richter psychoanalytic study of the Kevin Kateluzos Erika Rundle composition of Long Day's Journey Into George Mandelbaum Diane & Don Schinnerer Night, Dr. Mandelbaum presents his Yuxiang Wang Laura Shea thesis that O'Neill increasingly Sharon Watkinson Bob Tracy neutralized and psychologically AJ Writing Sharon Watkinson symbolized his inner state as he J. Chris Westgate composed Long Day’s Journey. “His SUSTAINING MEMBERS Carole Wynstra great artistic achievement in the play Steven Bloom Beth Wynstra rests, then, to a large extent on a Zander Brietzke great psychological one,” he says. Richard Brucher LIFETIME MEMBERS Vivian Casper Stephen A. Black A former associate professor of Robert Combs Zander Brietzke English literature and humanities at Roberta Eisel Colin Brown Mercy College, Dr. Mandelbaum has Louis Eisenhauer Kurt Eisen published psychoanalytic papers on Michael Fitzagerald Christine Frederickson Ben Jonson and Chekhov. At the New David M. Fox Guo Jide York Psychoanalytic Society he has Sheila Hickey Garvey Davies King taught courses on Long Day’s Journey Barbara Gelb Martha Manheim Into Night and Strindberg's late plays . Jeff Kennedy Dr. Margaret Y. Mar He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Andrew Lee Brenda & Michael McNamara the William Alanson White Institute in Bette Mandl Gary A. Richardson New York. He received his BA summa Marc Maufort Mariko Hori Tanaka cum laude from the University of Min- Manuel Mora-Lourido Anita A. Timmons nesota and his MA and PhD from Co- Jo Morello Shoji Yamana lumbia University.

Eugene O’Neill Society Honorary Board of Directors

 Stephen A. Black: Past president, Eugene O’Neill  Maura O’Neill Jones: Daughter of Shane Society; author, scholar O’Neill; granddaughter of Eugene and Agnes O’Neill  Wendy Cooper: Past president, Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House; past Newsletter editor  Sally Pavetti: Curator, Monte Cristo Cottage

 Frank Cunningham: Scholar, author  Margaret Loftus Ranald: Past president, Eugene O’Neill Society; author, scholar  Barbara Gelb: O’Neill biographer; author, playwright  Diane Schinnerer: Past secretary/treasurer, Eugene O’Neill Society; past president, Eugene  Tom J. A. Olsson: Author, scholar, past O’Neill Foundation, Tao House. International Secretary, Eugene O’Neill Society

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 17 April 2015

Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House: Artists in Residence Foundation selects first two Tao House Fellows; both are Society members

Editor’s Note: This article has been During his month at Tao excerpted in part from a news House Professor Palmer release by Florence McCauley, hopes to complete the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao section on O’Neill and House. Beth Wynstra, Society prepare a version as an secretary/treasurer, distributed the article for The Eugene O’Neill full release to our members on Review in advance of the March 1. Information is also book. available in the Spring 2015 issue of the Foundation’s newsletter. Hermann Farrell Herman D. Farrell, a The Eugene O’Neill Foundation professional playwright and has launched the Travis Bogard professor of playwriting at Artist in Residence (AIR) the University of Kentucky, program, finally realizing a dream The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, has selected hopes to create the first of forty years. For its first two Hermann D. Farrell III, left, and David Palmer as the first two draft of a “postmodern” Tao House Fellows the Founda- Travis Bogard Artists in Residence. The Tao House Fellows will play about Eugene O’Neill, tion has selected David Palmer complete their residencies this spring. his life and work. and Herman D. Farrell III. both members of the Eugene O’Neill element—although in fact the When Farrell begins his residency in Society. approaches of the two Fellows blur late May he intends to revisit a project the lines somewhat. he began in 1983. A few months after The Foundation release says, “The graduating from Vassar he wrote an two were selected from ten stellar David Palmer “epic play,” Dreams of the Son: A Life of applicants” for the first residency pe- During his fellowship period (from Eugene O’Neill, which he now calls riod. The committee is currently April 11-May 9), David Palmer will melodramatic, reminiscent of the evaluating proposals for the second work on the O’Neill section of his theatre of O’Neill’s father. period and will accept a third round of book, tentatively titled Evolution, Ethics submissions until November 30. and Tragedy: A Cognitive Studies After 30 years of researching and Approach to the Plays of Arthur Miller teaching O’Neill, including being The Foundation’s Advisory Board and Eugene O’Neill. He developed this selected three times as a Fellow for Committee developed the three-year concept in part from a course he the National Playwrights Conference AIR pilot program in collaboration created at the Maritime Academy. of the O’Neill TheaterCenter, he now with the . For plans to write a different type of play. the first stage, the evaluation panel of He will focus on O’Neill’s late Instead of relating the entire scope of professionals recommended choosing autobiographical plays and particularly O’Neill’s life and canon, he will representatives from both the on Eugene’s brother, Jamie, whom he approach his subject in a more academic and creative fields, according describes as “a man who is driven into fragmentary, postmodern manner. to committee head Florence crippling shame by his confrontation McCauley. with his inability to realize his idealized His most recent ventures include a self.” He plans “to explore O’Neill’s touring production of The Voices of David Palmer, assistant professor of feelings … as he sought in his late Student Veterans, a drama based on philosophy at the Massachusetts plays to understand his brother’s interviews with college student Maritime Academy on Cape Cod, sense of shame and the tragedy it veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq represents the academic area while wrought in his life.” wars and Cousins Table.

Herman Farrell brings a creative (Continued on page 19)

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 18 April 2015

Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House: Artists in Residence, Upcoming Evemts

Travis Bogard’s dream of 40 years is realized Travis Bogard (Continued from page 18) artists, scholars or critics of the Artist in Residence Among numerous awards he earned a performing arts with the opportunity Application Information Peabody as co-writer of the HBO film to work in the solitude and quiet that Boycott. (More information at http:// inspired Eugene O’Neill, America’s The next application deadline for farrellfour-com.webs.com/) only Nobel Prizewinning the Travis Bogard Artist in Playwright. The program is named for Residence Program is November Herman Farrell said, “I am truly hon- the late Travis Bogard, professor 30, 2015 for the 2016 residency ored to be named a Tao House Fel- emeritus of Dramatic Arts at UC period. There will be only one low. I want to thank the Eugene Berkeley and the O’Neill Foundation’s application period for the 2016 O'Neill Foundation for giving me this first artistic director. He envisioned residency period. unique opportunity and I also want to Tao House as a living memorial to Information about the AIR pro- thank the Eugene O'Neill Society for Eugene O’Neill and also a creative gram is available on page 29 of the nurturing my interest in O'Neill over workplace for writers and scholars. Society’s November 2014 news- the years.” David Palmer was already letter. Current information in residence at Tao House as we O’Neill Foundation co-president Gary including the application can be Schaub says, “For many years the went to press but has promised an obtained from the Eugene O’Neill O’Neill Foundation has been looking article about his experience for the Foundation, Tao House website November issue of this newsletter. to initiate the Artist in Residence www:eugeneoneill.org. program at Tao House—a goal our The Travis Bogard AIR Program early mentor Travis Bogard set for us. Please direct any questions to the The Eugene O’Neill Foundation says The Foundation Board is very pleased Foundation or to Florence the AIR program has been designed to that Travis’s dream is being realized McAuley, committee head at provide developing or established with the appointment of our first two [email protected]. Tao House Fellows.”

Foundation anticipates busy spring and summer at Tao House

In May the Playwright’s Theatre pre- for the plays and other festival events sents “Clifford Odets: Heir to will go on sale later this spring. O’Neill.” In keeping with this theme, there will be staged readings of two Applications are being accepted major plays by Odets: Waiting for Lefty through June for the O’Neill Studio on May 3 and Golden Boy on May 17. Workshop for teen writers and ac- Reservations for both productions are tors. This collaborative workshop is available online at the Foundation led by two experienced playwrights website and an actor-educator. Participants Tao House was home to Eugene and Car- meet daily from July 9-19 at Tao lotta O’Neill from 1937 to 1944. The Foundation will also reprise its House to work on their short plays. PHOTO: JO MORELLO successful partnership with Role Play- Applications for participation are avail- The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao ers Ensemble for the 2015 O’Neill able online at www.eugeneoneill.org House has a full schedule planned for Festival, “A Season of Desire.” The (click on “O’Neill Studio Retreat”). this spring and summer, beginning with Festival, which runs from September 4 the inaugural Travis Bogard Artist in -27, comprises O’Neill’s Desire under To learn more about the Foundation Residence Program that is now under- the Elms at Tao House and Tennessee or arrange to tour Tao House, located way (pages 18-19). Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire at in Danville, CA, visit eugeneoneill.org. the Village Theatre in Danville. Tickets Eugene O’Neill Society Page 19 April 2015

Newsletter contributors Meet the O’Neillians who contributed their talent to this issue

Jeff Kennedy, Philadelphia before Anne worked in Boston at the Hunt- Ph.D., president that. She is also a ington Theatre Company and Com- of the Eugene freelance writer and pany One. O’Neill Society, is award-winning play- wright. Her recent an Assistant Pro- Brenda Murphy, productions have fessor at Arizona Ph.D., is Board of been Life Upon the State University, Trustees Distin- where he teaches Wicked Stage, a col- guished Professor lection of short comedies co-authored courses in theatre and music in the of English Emeritus Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance with her husband, playwright Jack Gil- at the University program, and also serves as the West hooley (Tampa Bay, FL, 2015); Talk- of Connecticut and back, a short verse comedy (Future Campus Artistic Director. A published a Past President of the O’Neill Society scholar on the Provincetown Players, Ten, Pittsburgh, PA, 2014; scheduled and the American Theatre and Drama for July 2015 production, Tampa Rep- he created and maintains the award- Society. She has written 19 books ertory Theatre); Gene & Aggie, a short winning research website province- and numerous articles about Ameri- townplayhouse.com. As a celebrated play about the first meeting between can playwrights, reflecting her interest Eugene and (Tampa composer and musician, he has in placing American drama, theater, Bay Theatre Festival, 2014); and E.G.O.: worked as a production assistant for and performance in the broader con- and , The Passions of Eugene Gladstone O’Neill text of American literature and cul- (Lexington, KY, 2013 as winner of the and as a music director for Broadway ture. Her books include The Province- Kentucky Women Writers Confer- performers including Pamela Myers town Players and the Culture of Moder- and Carol Lawrence. He is working on ence). (www.jomorello.com). nity (2005) and O’Neill: Long Day’s Jour- a book on the history and legacy of ney Into Night (2001), a history of the the . Anne G. Morgan is the literary man- play’s productions and media adapta- ager at the O'Neill, where she pro- tions. Eugene O’Neill Remembered, a William Davies vides dramaturgical support to the collection of reminiscences about King (Dave) has center's programs and manages the O’Neill by his contemporaries, which recently put to- center's selection processes (about she edited with George Monteiro, will be published later this year. gether Long Day’s 1,500 applica- Journey Into Night: tions). At the Critical Edition for O'Neill she has Beth Wynstra, Ph.D., is an assistant Yale UP and will served as drama- professor of Eng- soon create a turg on new pieces lish at Babson Col- similar volume for The Iceman Cometh. by , lege, where. She However, before that occurs he will Hilary Bettis, teaches courses in be assembling for Yale UP an en- Bekah Brunstetter, American Drama, hanced e-book edition of Long Day’s A. Rey Pamatmat, and Sam Willmott. Modernism, acting, Journey, which will include audio-visual Anne has represented the O’Neill in- public speaking, and intertextual and hyperlexical ma- ternationally at the Baltic Playwrights and business writ- terial (and apparently that is a word). Conference and the Latvian Academy ing. She serves as Faculty Director for He does not always wear a mustache. of Culture and has taught dramaturgy the Sorenson Center for the Arts and script analysis at the University of at Babson and regularly directs mu- Connecticut, the National Theater Jo Morello, newsletter editor, has sicals and plays. Beth is the Secre- Institute, and the American College operated a public relations business in tary/Treasurer of the Eugene Theater Festival. Prior to the O'Neill, Sarasota, Florida, since 1986 and in O'Neill Society.

Eugene O’Neill Society Page 20 April 2015