Mint Theater Company Explained

Mint Theater Company
Image Alt:Mint Theater Company logo
Address:412 West 42nd Street
City:New York City
Country:United States
Type:Off-Broadway

Mint Theater Company was founded in 1992 in New York City. Their mission is to find, produce, and advocate for "worthwhile plays from the past that have been lost or forgotten".[1] [2] They have been instrumental in restoring the theatrical legacy of several playwrights notably; Teresa Deevy,[3] [4] Rachel Crothers, and Miles Malleson.[5] As well as producing less produced or forgotten works by noted playwrights such as A. A. Milne,[6] Lillian Hellman,[7] and J. M. Barrie.[8] They have also produced frequently ignored theatrical works by noted authors such as Ernest Hemingway,[9] D. H. Lawrence, and Leo Tolstoy.[10]

New York Times critic Ben Brantley credited Mint Theater Company as a "resurrectionist extraordinaire of forgotten plays".[11] pointing to the company as a torchbearer "devoted to overlooked plays of other times."[12]

History

The Mint Theater Company was founded in 1992 by Kelly Morgan.[13] The mission was further solidified when Jonathan Bank took over as artistic director in 1995, deciding to focus on lost, neglected, or forgotten plays.[14] [15] This focus came from his interest in narrative driven plays that audiences didn't already know. The company's full commitment to neglected works came as audience interest in seeing recovered plays increased, eventually prompting the company to re-establish their mission and change their slogan to "Lost Plays Found Here."[16]

They have done significant work to revive the works of several playwrights who had fallen into obscurity. Their on-going Teresa Deevy Project works to rediscover, produce, and publish works of Irish playwright Teresa Deevy,[17] who despite early success and several productions at the Dublin Abbey Theatre during her lifetime has been largely neglected and her work forgotten.[18] [19] The Mint Theater has produced four plays and published two anthologies of Deevy’s work.[20]

The theater’s revival of Rachel Crothers’ Susan and God in 2006 was the first New York City revival since 1943.[21] Crothers' work had rarely been seen since her death in 1953. The theater also revived her Pulitzer Prize nominated play, A Little Journey in 2011.

They have also revived or sometimes premiered neglected works by famous authors. In 2008 they produced Hemingway's The Fifth Column,[22] using the original text, the first professional production to do so as the 1940 Broadway production used an adapted script by Benjamin Glazer which Hemingway ultimately did not approve.[23] [24] They have produced both of D. H. Lawrence's plays, The Daughter-in-Law in 2003[25] and The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd in 2009.[26]

In addition to citations for individual productions, the company has received several awards. In 2001 they received an Obie Grant.[27] [28] In 2002 they were awarded a Drama Desk Special Award for "unearthing, presenting and preserving forgotten plays of merit”.[29] In 2010 they were awarded The Theatre Museum's Theatre History Preservation Award.[30]

Notable Productions

Their 2018 production of Hindle Wakes was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play.[44] [45]

Their 2010 production of So Help Me God! was nominated for four Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Play.

Publications

Mint Theater Company has published six anthologies from the works of authors that they have produced.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Mint Theater Company . minttheater.org.
  2. Web site: Cohen . Alix . The Mint Theater: Visionary Resurrection of Forgotten Plays . Woman Around Town . 10 February 2016.
  3. Web site: Zinoman . Jason . An Irishwoman Back From Obscurity . The New York Times . 4 August 2010.
  4. Web site: Blaney . Retta . Lost works return to stage . National Catholic Reporter . en . 1 October 2010.
  5. News: Teachout . Terry . Terry Teachout . Yours Unfaithfully Review: Three's Trouble . The Wall Street Journal . 8 April 2021.
  6. News: Hampton . Wilborn . Theater Notebook; Two Comedies From Milne, Before He Dreamed of Pooh . The New York Times . 19 May 2004.
  7. News: Teachout . Terry . Terry Teachout . Opinion Days to Come Review: A Hellman Rarity of Uncommon Merit . The Wall Street Journal. 7 January 2021.
  8. Web site: Gelder . Lawrence Van . In Performance; Theater . The New York Times . 8 May 1995.
  9. Kale . Verna . The Fifth Column: A Play by Ernest Hemingway (review) . The Hemingway Review . 2008 . 27 . 2 . 131–134 . 10.1353/hem.0.0010 . 161589660 . 1548-4815.
  10. News: Simonson . Robert . Sifting the Dustbin of Literary History . The New York Times . 16 September 2007.
  11. News: Brantley . Ben . Ben Brantley . Aug. 21 — 27 . The New York Times . 19 August 2011.
  12. News: Brantley . Ben . A 'Wicked' Challenge and Other Tough Questions for Ben Brantley . The New York Times . 3 November 2020.
  13. News: Simonson . Robert . Blowing Off the Dust, Breathing New Life . 5 February 2021 . The New York Times . September 1, 2002.
  14. Web site: Mint Theater Company (a Meet the Theatre Film) . vimeo.com . Theater Development Fund . 29 October 2014.
  15. Kelly . Jim . The Mint Theater Is Bringing Back Long-Forgotten Plays . Vanity Fair. 30 September 2014 .
  16. Web site: Halvorsen . Caitlyn . Have You Met Miss Baker? Mint Theater Would Like You To . AMERICAN THEATRE . 18 March 2019.
  17. News: Zinoman . Jason . An Irishwoman Back From Obscurity . The New York Times . 4 August 2010.
  18. Web site: McKeon . Belinda . Irish Theatre Magazine Features Current A voice from another Ireland . itmarchive.ie.
  19. Web site: Garavel . Andrew J. . Hidden Treasures: The plays of Teresa Deevy . America Magazine . en . 3 October 2011.
  20. News: Teachout . Terry . Terry Teachout . Katie Roche and The Book of Magdalene Reviews: A Pair of Saints . 19 February 2021 . The Wall Street Journal . 18 February 2021.
  21. News: Teachout . Terry . Terry Teachout . Susan and God: Forgotten but Fresh . The Wall Street Journal . 30 June 2006.
  22. News: March 28 . Joy Goodwin . A Stylish Spy Thriller . The New York Sun.
  23. News: McGrath . Charles . Hemingway, Your Letter Has Arrived . The New York Times . 10 February 2008.
  24. News: Hemingway's 'The Fifth Column' produced for New York stage . The New York Times . 8 February 2008.
  25. News: Scheck . Frank . D.H. Lawrence Play Is in Mint Condition . New York Post . 2 March 2009.
  26. News: Zinoman . Jason . Matters of Class and Heart . The New York Times . 4 March 2009.
  27. Web site: Portantiere . Michael . Obie-Won TheaterMania . www.theatermania.com . 11 July 2001 . Theater Mania.
  28. Web site: 2001 - Obie Awards . Obie Awards.
  29. News: Simonson . Robert . Millie, Success Lead 2002 Drama Desk Nominations . Playbill . 2002.
  30. Web site: Rich . Rob . 2010 Theatre Museum Awards . hamptons.com/.
  31. Gainor . J. Ellen . Alison's House (review) . Theatre Journal . 2000 . 52 . 3 . 425–426 . 10.1353/tj.2000.0081 . 194010749 . 1086-332X.
  32. News: Simonson . Robert . Mint Theatre Stages Pulitzer-winner, Alison's House, Sept. 23-Oct. 17 . Playbill . 1999.
  33. News: BWW News Desk . Mint Theater's A Little Journey Closes 7/17 . 1 April 2021 . BroadwayWorld.com.
  34. Web site: Teachout . Terry . Terry Teachout . Welcome Back, Rachel Crothers . The Wall Street Journal . 1 April 2021 . 17 June 2011.
  35. Web site: Putnam . Leah . Betty Smith's Never-Before-Seen Becomes a Woman Finally Gets Its World Premiere . Playbill.com . Playbill . 23 February 2023.
  36. News: BWW News Desk . Mint Theater Continues its Series of Free Broadcasts With CONFLICT by Miles Malleson . BroadwayWorld.com.
  37. News: Clement . Olivia . Mint Theater to Stage Rare Revival of Hindle Wakes . Playbill . 2017.
  38. News: Cowan . Alison Leigh . Waiting 80 Years, Diva Takes a Bow . The New York Times . 1 December 2009.
  39. Web site: So Help Me God! . www.iobdb.com . Lortel Foundations.
  40. News: Hetrick . Adam . Fortune Intervenes in Temporal Powers, Opening Off-Broadway at the Mint Aug. 29 . Playbill . 2011.
  41. News: Hetrick . Adam . Rarely-Seen Drama Temporal Powers Gets Second Extension at the Mint . 1 April 2021 . Playbill . 2011.
  42. News: Hampton . Wilborn . Who Does This Playwright Think He Is? Hemingway? . The New York Times . 28 March 2008.
  43. Web site: Collins-Hughes . Laura . 'The Daughter-in-Law' Review: Sons and Wives . The New York Times . 25 February 2022.
  44. Web site: Millard . Tom . Drama Desk Awards 2018 - And the Nominees are... . NewYorkTheaterGuide.com . 1 April 2021.
  45. Web site: NOMINEES AND RECIPIENTS 2018 AWARDS . DramaDesk.org . Drama Desk . 1 April 2021.
  46. Seamon . Mark . Worthy But Neglected: Plays of the Mint Theater Company (review) . Theatre Topics . 2003 . 13 . 2 . 253–254 . 10.1353/tt.2003.0037 . 191415505 . 1086-3346.
  47. Book: Milne . A.A. . Wharton . Edith . Fitch . Clyde . Glaspell . Susan . Gale . Zona . Wolfe . Thomas . Reissa . Eleanor . Sowerby . Githa . Bank . Jonathan . Mahoney . Jeni . Worthy But Neglected Plays of the Mint Theater Company . 2002 . Granville Press . New York . 978-0971826205 . 352 . 1 . 19 February 2021.
  48. Book: Schnitzler . Arthur . Bank . Jonathan . Schnitzler . Peter . Arthur Schnitzler Reclaimed . 2005 . Granville Press . New York . 978-0971826212 . 101 . 19 February 2021.
  49. Book: Granville Barker . Harley . Bank . Jonathan . Harley Granville Barker Reclaimed . 2007 . Granville Press . New York . 978-0971826229 . 154 . 1 . 19 February 2021.
  50. Book: Hankin . St. John . Bank . Jonathan . St. John Hankin Reclaimed . 2007 . Granville Press . New York . 978-0971826236 . 96 . 1 . 19 February 2021.
  51. Book: Deevy . Teresa . Bank . Jonathan . Morash . Christopher . Harrington . John P. . Teresa Deevy Reclaimed Volume One . 2011 . Mint Theater Company . New York . 978-0971826243 . 158 . 1 . 19 February 2021.
  52. Book: Deveey . Teresa . Bank . Jonathan . Morash . Christopher . Harrington . John P. . Teresa Deevy Reclaimed Volume Two . 2017 . Mint Theater Company . New York . 978-0971826250 . 142 . 1 . 19 February 2021.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mint Theater Company".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.