“INDECENT” TALK ABOUT PAULA VOGEL’S INDECENT
Taught by Frank Rizzo

ABOUT THE COURSE

Frank Rizzo, theater critic for Variety, talks about Paula Vogel’s acclaimed play Indecent, from its 2015 world premiere by Yale Rep to its 2017 Broadway production. There it earned three Tony nominations, including for best play, and a win for director Rebecca Taichman. The drama recounts the real-life controversy surrounding the Jewish-themed play God of Vengeance, authored by Sholem Asch, for which the Broadway producer and cast were arrested and convicted of obscenity in 1923. Newsday reviewer Linda Winer wrote of the Broadway show "Has there ever been anything quite like Indecent, a play that touches — I mean deeply touches — so much rich emotion about history and the theater, anti-Semitism, homophobia, censorship, world wars, red-baiting and, oh, yes, joyful human passion?” The play, with music and movement, is at West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park. First, let Frank Rizzo “set the stage” and provide context.

FRANK RIZZO is an arts writer who has covered Connecticut, Broadway and the national arts scene for more than 40 years. For 33 years he was the arts/theater writer for The Hartford Courant. He is currently theater critic for Variety, where he has covered Broadway and out-of town musicals and plays for 20 years. He also writes for The New York Times, American Theatre, Connecticut Magazine, Encore, Voice, Seasons, Hartford Business Journal on the business of the arts, among others. His website is ShowRiz.com or you can find him at ShowRiz@Twitter.