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Quote by John Lahr

“Questions about political theatre always overlook America's most powerful and effective political theatre, which is always thriving: the American musical. The politics is conservative but, to my mind, effective and insidious.”

Quote by John Lahr

Author

John Lahr, born on July 12, 1941, is an accomplished theater critic. His reviews are renowned for their insightful interpretations and profound understanding of the art of theater. more

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“The history of theatre is the history of first nights.”

Firsts Night Theatre

Book:Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton

Source: Prick Up Your Ears: The Biography of Joe Orton

“Most of the people dishing out judgment have no working experience of the theatre, have not written a professional play, a sketch, or even a joke; have never worked in a theatre, taken an acting class, or published any extended piece of work. They are creative virgins; everything they know about theatre is book-learned and second-hand.”

People Knows Book Play Hands Acting Class Creative Taken Pieces Written Judgment Jokes Theatre Virgins Second Hand Acting Classes

Author:John Lahr

“The pigeons are shitting on George M. Cohan. I shoo them off. They fly up and perch on his hat. Cohan would've never given his regards to Broadway if he saw how dirty they kept his statue in Duffy Square. New Yorkers walk right by. Nobody cares.”

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Book:The Autograph Hound: A Novel

Source: The Autograph Hound: A Novel

“His life was one long extravaganza, like living inside a Faberge egg.”

Author:John Lahr

“Frivolity is the species' refusal to suffer.”

Suffering Species Refusal Frivolity

Author:John Lahr

“The only thing I get from the theatre is a sore arse.”

Author:John Lahr

“I know in an existential sense that life can change on a dime ... something has instantly and inexorably changed in American life.”

Knows Changed Existential Dimes American Life

Author:John Lahr

“Momentum was part of the exhilaration and the exhaustion of the twentieth century which Coward decoded for the British but borrowed wholesale from the Americans.”

Century British Coward Twentieth Century Momentum Borrowed Exhaustion Wholesale Exhilaration

Author:John Lahr

“Entertainment is not politically neutral.”

Book:Coward, the Playwright

Source: Coward, the Playwright

“First and foremost, I'd say my father, Bert Lahr ... gave me a love of theatre--its kinetic and emotional potential and its raffish backstage fun--and also set an artistic example of the importance of corrupting an audience with pleasure.”

Firsts Father Fun Pleasure Audience Example Emotional Importance Theatre Artistic

Author:John Lahr