Sam Shepard

Joseph Chaikin

Brilliant, prolific, uniquely American, Pulitzer prizewinning playwright Sam Separd is a major voice in contemporary theatre. And here are seven of his very best. "One of the most original, prolific and gifted dramatists at work today."—The New Yorker "The greatest American playwright of his generation...the most inventive in language and revolutionary in craft, [he] is the writer whose work most accurately maps the interior and exterior landscapes of his society."—New York Magazine "If plays were put in time capsules, future generations would get a sharp-toothed profile of life in the U.S. in the past decade and a half from the works of Sam Shepard."—Time "Sam Shepard is the most exciting presence in the movie world and one of the most gifted writers ever to work on the American stage."—Marsha Norman, Pulitzer prizewinning author of 'Night, Mother. "One of our best and most challenging playwrights...his plays are a form of exorcism: magical, sometimes surreal rituals that grapple with the demonic forces in the American landscape."—Newsweek "His plays are stunning in thier originality, defiant and inscrutable."—Esquire "Sam Shepard is phenomenal..the best practicing American playwright."—The New Republic

Seven Plays

Friends since 1964, correspondents since 1972, playwright Sam Shepard and director Joseph Chaikin established independent reputations - Chaikin with such Open Theatre landmarks as America Hurrah and The Serpent; Shepard with celebrated plays, including The Tooth of Crime - before becoming close collaborators in 1978. The texts of their remarkable creations - Tongues, Savage / Love and The War in Heaven - are included here, together with notes and - most important - the deeply personal, exploratory letters which detail their passionate pursuit of a new language for the stage.

letters and texts, 1972-1984

Joseph Chaikin & Sam Shepard

Barry Daniels

Letters between the director and playwright depict the development of their friendship and collaboration on theater pieces

Joseph Chaikin

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