"But several other Hellman plays that were highly regarded and successful in their day — The Children's Hour, Watch on the Rhine, Toys in the Attic, et al. — are infrequently revived, presumably because they're perceived to be dated and/or otherwise flawed in significant ways."
This is demonstrably false--at least in terms of revivals--if you just go to google. Watch on the Rhine was produced by both Berkley Rep and Arena Stage within the past year. Children's Hour was produced in London in 2011. Toys in the Attic was done by the Pearl in 2007. Even The Autumn Garden was done in Williamstown in 2007 and in Los Angeles in 2010. Lots of people didn't like Hellman-maybe you're one of them-for her feistiness and they're entitled. But to have written a group of plays that are produced 50, 60, and even 70 years after they were composed is a genuine accomplishment. Hellman is no more dated than Odets, and she is revived about as much. You owe her that much respect. |
