The House of Blue Leaves Book

This poignant Obie Award-winning comedy unfolds in New York City on the day the Pope is expected to visit. Hearts are palpitating in the sleepy borough of Queens, but not entirely on account of His Holiness. Bunny Flingus, a femme-fatale from Flushing (or thereabouts) is stirring things up in the quiet, unfulfilled life of aspiring songwriter Artie Shaughnessy. Artie longs to leave his unhappy marriage, elope with Bunny, and write a hit song that will top the charts.

Lance Eaton - Library Journal

This play by Guare (Six Degrees of Separation) has, since its 1971 off-Broadway premiere, won an ObieA Award, a New York Drama Critics CircleA Award, and four TonyA Awards. Set in 1975, it takes a humorous yet endearing look at issues of politics, religion, relationships, and mental illness. Actor Ron Leibman injects personality into the character of misguided Artie Shaughnessy, but it's actor Sharon Gless's tender, sincere, and evocative performance of Bananas that really steals the show. Another notch in the belt of L.A. Theatre Works, which continues with its track record of thoroughly excellent audio plays. [Audio clip available through www.latw.org; originally produced by L.A. Theatre Works on audiocassette in 1997 and since out of print.-Ed.]