Review (PDF)
Love's Fire: Seven New Plays Inspired By Seven Shakespearean Sonnets

The greatest love poetry in the English language provides the springboard for master playwrights' never-before-published works about the triumphs and tragedies of the heart. The sonnets and plays in Loves' Fire are the seeds and fruit of an extraordinary project: seven sonnets by Shakespeare, newly envisioned for the stage, in one-act plays by seven brilliantly gifted contemporary playwrights.Shakespeare's sonnets of romantic and sexual love are timeless, for they are not bound to any particular setting or to either sex. These seven plays, each paired with the sonnet that inspired it, are startling not only in the variety of their mood, content, and setting, but also in their unusual interpretation. For example, Wendy Wasserstein's version of Sonnet 94 is a one-act play set in the Hamptons, where a well-to-do couple is getting ready for a society benefit; Eric Bogosian creates a story of sexual jealousy and obsessiveness from Sonnet 118; and composer William Finn has transformed Sonnet 102 into a song about an artist attempting to paint his lover -- and failing.These seven new works, commissioned and produced by the Acting Company, will be performed in June. Brought together in this slender volume with the sonnets, they form a unique tribute to Shakespeare -- a rich and marvelously entertaining celebration of the modern playwrights' adoration of the Bard.

Paperback: 144 pages

Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1st edition (June 3, 1998)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0688161723

ISBN-13: 978-0688161729

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches

Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #794,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #295 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Anthologies #2039 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Regional & Cultural > United States #26479 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

I saw this play in person, and just finished the book. Nothing better than great poetry made for our time. Highly recomend for those who who've seen it, or heard a review. Some of the plays are musical so they don't translate well to paper. One drawback.

Love's Fire embodies our perception of language. The spoken and unspoken voices of God, Love, Nature, and Humanity become the essential elements in this collection of one acts. Riveting and powerful, Love's Fire demands to be performed. Not only is the language spoken by the actors and heard by the audience, but the language of our contemporary masters blends with the master of language himself, William Shakespeare. As Love's Fire reinvigorates our grasp of language we come to an understanding that poems, sonnets, books, plays, spiritual songs, or body movements fuel the fire of love. An excellent piece of work by 7 masters who dedicated the collection to the Bard.

Shakespeare's inspired words talk to today's audience through the intriguing interpretations of master American playrights. Especially fascinating is John Guare's "The General of Hot Desire". These original works defy description...so read them...or better yet...perform them...and appreciate these unique literary gems in all their splendor.

This book contains some magnificent meditations on the nature of love. If nothing else, I suggest you buy it for "The General of Hot Desire," an interesting take on the nature of God's interaction with humanity throughout history.

Love's Fire: Seven New Plays Inspired By Seven Shakespearean Sonnets Pop Sonnets: Shakespearean Spins on Your Favorite Songs 7" Fire & Fire HD User Guide: From Beginner To Expert Guide - Everything You Need to Know About 's New Fire Tablets! ( 7" Fire, Fire HD User Guide) Fire Stick: The Ultimate Fire TV Stick User Guide - Start Using Fire TV Stick Like A Pro! (Streaming Devices, How To Use Fire Stick, Fire TV Stick User Guide) Complete Sonnets and Poems: The Oxford Shakespeare The Complete Sonnets and Poems (Oxford World's Classics) Fire Stick: The Ultimate Guide With Instructions To Unlock The True Potential Of Your Fire Stick (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Complete User Manual To Starting With And Using Fire TV Stick, Plus Little-Known Tips And Tricks! (Streaming, How To Use Fire Stick, Fire TV Stick User Guide) Fire Stick: How To Unlock The True Potential Of Your Fire Stick - Plus Amazing Tips And Tricks! (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: For Beginners! - Learn How To Start Using Your Fire Stick Now! (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire TV User Guide: Watch TV Shows, Movies, Music, Apps, Games And Learn 7 Amazing Things About Fire TV! ( Fire TV User Guide, Streaming, Fire TV Manual) Fire Stick: Fire TV Stick Made Easy - The Ultimate Step-By-Step User Guide To Mastering Your Fire Stick In Less Than A Day! (How To Use ... Fire TV Stick User Guide, Streaming) Fire Stick: How to Start Using Fire Stick Like A Pro! - The Ultimate Guide to Master Your Fire Stick In Just 30 Minutes! (Streaming Devices, ... TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Ultimate Fire Stick User Guide - Learn How To Start Using Fire Stick, Plus Little-Known Tips And Tricks! (Streaming ... TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Complete Beginners Guide - Learn How To Setup And Master Your Fire Stick Today! (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Ultimate Fire Stick User Guide To TV, Movies, Apps, Games & Much More! Plus Advanced Tips And Tricks! (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Complete 2016 User Guide And Manual - How To Easily Install Android Apps On Your Fire Stick (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Complete Fire Stick User Guide - Learn How To Install Apps, Games, Watch TV And Movies! (Streaming Devices, Fire TV Stick User Guide, How To Use Fire Stick) Fire Stick: The Ultimate User Guide To Starting With And Using Fire TV Stick (How To Use Fire Stick, Fire TV Stick User Guide, Streaming) Fire, Fire HD 8 & Fire HD 10: The 2016 Encyclopedic Guide (I Love My Gadget Series) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: All 37 plays, 160 sonnets and 5 poetry books (Global Classics)