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Wallace Shawn Returns to the Stage with The Fever
Wallace Shawn, the acclaimed playwright and actor, is set to revive his groundbreaking play The Fever in an Off-Broadway production. Known for its poignant exploration of privilege and social justice, The Fever will be performed in repertory alongside Shawn’s new ensemble piece, What We Did Before Our Moth Days, starting February 16 at Greenwich House Theater.
A Timely Reflection on Inequality
The Fever first premiered in 1990 at The Public Theater and won the Obie Award for Best Play. It features a nameless American narrator confined in a hotel room within a war-torn nation, who grapples with the stark contrast between his comfortable existence and the political turmoil manifested outside. The show invites the audience to reflect on their complicit roles in a world marred by inequality and suffering.
History Revisited: The Evolution of The Fever
The play has endured the test of time, being performed in unconventional settings around the globe—from London’s Royal Court to the Avignon Festival. Shawn originally explored intimate settings, performing in friends’ living rooms before it became a celebrated stage production. This current revival illustrates its continued relevance amid modern social struggles.
Collaboration and Artistic Growth
Directed by Shawn's longtime collaborator André Gregory, who has worked with him for over 40 years, the revival boasts a strong production team, including designers Riccardo Hernández and Ann Roth. This partnership highlights Shawn's commitment to evolving his craft while continuing to address pressing societal issues through thought-provoking narratives.
Insights from Shawn
Shawn’s insights about his craft resonate deeply with audiences today. He comments on the anxiety tied to enjoying life as an American, given the harsh realities faced by many globally. As he puts it, “to enable me to live the life that I lived, various other people had been starved and killed.” This honesty about privilege invites engagement and introspection, making the theater a platform for social discourse.
Experience Two Plays, One Vision
The unique format of presenting both The Fever and What We Did Before Our Moth Days provides audiences with a holistic view of Shawn's artistic evolution and moral inquiries. This dual experience is aimed at prompting audiences to contemplate the narratives of their own lives and those of others around the globe.
With his return to the stage, Wallace Shawn not only revisits a classic but also challenges contemporary audiences to reflect on important moral questions that remain as relevant as ever.
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