The Lost Group Theatre Plays — John Lawson

For the first time in over 75 years, three of the 'lost' plays presented by the famed Group Theatre are now back in print. A huge part of American Theatrical History is now available to the public! The book features '1931-' by Claire and Paul Sifton, and 'Success Story' and 'Gentlewoman' by John Howard Lawson. Foreword by the legendary Estelle Parsons, with additional material by George Bartenieff, Jonathan Chambers, Jeffrey Lawson and Allie Mulholland. '1931-' by Claire & Paul Sifton is the story of Adam, who is fired from his warehouse job at the start of the play. Proud and determined, he sets out to find another job, only to find hundreds of other men in the same situation. Without a paycheck, Adam soon realizes how much he has to lose; health, dignity, hope, and possibly even the young shop girl he loves. Alternately, it is the story of all the men, young and old in Adam's situation. These are the men who sleep in the parks, beg for coins and even turn to crime when there seems to be no other option. When their story and Adam's comes to a head at the gripping finale, there is only one way left to turn: revolution. One of the preeminent playwrights of the early 20th century, John Howard Lawson was the first playwright to have 2 plays presented by the Group Theatre. SUCCESS STORY is a classic tale of ambition, the American Dream and what actually constitutes success. Set in the New York advertising agency, we follow the rise of Sol Ginsburg and his struggles for contentment, before and after, the 1929 stockmarket crash. In 1934, The Group presented Mr. Lawson's GENTLEWOMAN. It is the story of socialite, Mrs. Gwyn Ballantine, who falls for the inspired Bohemian Rudy Flannigan. After it is discovered her husband has been committing scandalous business deals, Gwyn is tempted to pursue her passions for the poet Flannigan, despite their conflicting social standing. Can she turn her back on her privileged status and extravagant tastes in the name of love?