Analyzing Kurt Vonnegut's Overlooked Playwriting
Kurt Vonnegut: Soldier, Writer, Man, Secret Drama Nerd. Yes, the historic writer who blurred lines and blended the genres of sci-fi and Americana just wanted to be in 'Hamilton' the whole time, serving his true love: the stage! Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration but when you're a true master of your art, sometimes you try to branch out a bit and see if your writing can translate to other forms.
Enter 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June,' his 1970 play that serves as a bizarro version of 'The Odyssey' starring a character that is eerily similar to Ernest Hemingway. Imagine Odysseus after years abroad fighting monsters, coming home to late 60s/early 70s New York. He hates animals and wussy men, and loves guns and traditional gender roles. So throw on some headphones and join Cracked's Alex Schmidt and Michael Swaim as they get dramaturgical with Kurt Vonnegut's play about men, guns and birthday cake. They also tackle two of Kurt's lesser known short plays, "Fortitude," and "The Very First Christmas Morning."
Sections:
Plot Time! (02:10)
Fortitude Time! (01:01:20)
Christmas Time! (01:12:20)
Kurt Blurt! (01:18:50)
Recurring Characters Update! (01:47:00)
Kurt Cameo! (01:48:20)
VonneWHAT! (01:50:00)
The Meat! (01:58:15)
Vonnegrades! (02:04:30)
Drama Time! (02:09:30)
Related Reading! (02:21:30)
Vonnegut News! (02:32:30)
Related Reading:
Podcast: Revisionist History: The Satire Paradox
Film: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Film: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Play: Suzan-Lori Parks: 'The Last Living Black Man in the Whole Entire World' & 'The America Play' (which Michael calls 'The Death of Abraham Lincoln')
Song: Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer: Cat-Eye Willie Claims His Lover
