ALS I'M SAYIN' IS

Look, no one wants to re-ignite the whole fracas about New York culture condescending to the rest of the country less than me. While I continue to assert that the attitude decried is far, far less prevalent here (particularly among theater artists) than some were claiming at the time, let me happily - well, no, angrily - admit that the Hilton Als review of August: Osage County in The New Yorker is the most stunning and appalling example of genuine NYC-condescension I think I've ever seen (and I say that as someone who agrees with several of Als' specific criticisms of the play). Rob Kendt is quite right to single out this passage:

But here, in his Broadway début, he clearly intends to prove himself a “major” playwright. To do so, he parodies his roots, rather than revealing them. Letts could very well end up winning prizes for “August: Osage County.” But so did the playwright Preston Jones, with his “Texas Trilogy,” in the mid-seventies. Like Letts, Jones was a provincial writer of promise who was pulled onto the Broadway boards too soon for his own good. Now his work is rarely performed at all.

Think about how many unexamined assumptions there are in that passage. Scott Walters, if you're reading, I have no problem calling this bogotry. I would only ask that you weigh that against the larger embrace the play has received here.

--SlowLearner

Comments

[Scott Walters]

Nice call-out, Mac. Any time the word "provincial" gets used, it should be a seen as a sign that somebody needs to get out of NYC a little more. *L* I have to confess I don't quite understand how "parodying" one's roots will reveal oneself a major playwright -- but then, I don't quite understand how you "reveal" your roots, either. If I am working in my garden and I reveal a plant's roots, it would die. Roots are revealed according to the plants they produce. Except carrots and potatoes. But enough of this agricultural musing to which those of us in the provinces are prone. Hold on while I spit out this 'bacca juice.

I am reminded of Robert Brustein's criticism of August Wilson's play series as not being "universal" enough because they focused on the black experience of oppression. Sort of the race equivalent of the word "provincial." Generally speaking, "provincial" is a word that means "something not in my neighborhood."

Sorry to be so tardy responding -- still catching up.