Playing for Time
Category: Books,New, Used & Rental Textbooks,Humanities
Playing for Time Details
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Though the title may mislead some, the story is based in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. Adapted from a story of the same name by Fania Fenelon, Arthur Miller creates a moving stage play that seems reasonable for even a low budget theater to run. While not as well known, it ranks in blunt emotion with other Miller works "Death of a Salesman" and "All My Sons".Fania Fenelon narrates the story as the main character. Taken from France during the war, she quickly forms a friendship with the young Marianne. Their friendship is tested often through their choices and alliances. Fania is able to maintain a more confortable life in the concentration camp. Because of her musical ability, she is made to join the orchestra for which she eventually becomes the conductor. Despite a lack of musical knowledge, she is even able to gain Marianna membership in the musical group. Yet even as rumors of the end of the war swirl, tempers begin to boil in and outside of the orchestra causing illness, death, and ill-advised escape attempts.In his body of work as perhaps the greatest American playwright, Miller has not shunned controversial themes. In fact, many of his works involve Judaism and the Holocaust. Because this centers around women, it is unique to Miller particularly because of the strong will of female characters in the story. I would embrace the opportunity to see this performed live.