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Curse of the Starving Class 1978

Ages: 13+
Opened: February 14, 1978
Closing: April 09, 1978

Curse of the Starving Class - 1978 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Joseph Papp Public Theater [Newman Theater]
425 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10003

Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class is a darkly comic look into the world of dysfunctional Tate family, as they struggle amongst themselves for food, freedom, and meaning in their run-down lives. Tate Family patriarch Weston, is an alcoholic, who leaves his family for days at a time, buys into scam business deals, and owes money to all the wrong people in town. His wife, Ella, is utterly burned-out and will do just about anything to leave her husband behind. Their daughter, Emma, is a smart and rebellious teen, itching to get away from her crazy home. The entire upkeep of the farm falls on the shoulders of their idealistic son, Wesley, the only one who seems to have some hope for the family left. The “curse,” as Ella puts it, of the Tate family is that they have nitroglycerine — liquid dynamite — running in their blood. Perhaps that’s the reason they’re stuck where they are: broke, hungry, and fighting. Whatever the cause, the Tates will do just about anything to raise themselves out of the downward spiral into which they’ve fallen. But is it even possible, at this point? Or are some families, Shepherd asks, just cursed before they begin?


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Warehouse Theatre To Honor Late Playwright Sam Shepard With Repertory Festival Featuring TRUE WEST and BURIED CHILD
by BWW News Desk - Sep 22, 2018


Warehouse Theatre will present The Sam Shepard Festival, a theatre repertory series honoring the American playwright Sam Shepard. The Festival will include fully staged productions of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Buried Child, the Tony Award winning play True West, and the semi-autobiographical play Cowboy Mouth, as well as readings on Curse of the Starving Class, Heartless, and Fool for Love.

Warehouse Theatre To Honor Late Playwright Sam Shepard With Repertory Festival Featuring TRUE WEST and BURIED CHILD
by BWW News Desk - Aug 31, 2018


Warehouse Theatre will present The Sam Shepard Festival, a theatre repertory series honoring the American playwright Sam Shepard. The Festival will include fully staged productions of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Buried Child, the Tony Award winning play True West, and the semi-autobiographical play Cowboy Mouth, as well as readings on Curse of the Starving Class, Heartless, and Fool for Love.

Warehouse Theatre To Honor Late Playwright Sam Shepard With Repertory Festival Featuring TRUE WEST and BURIED CHILD
by Stephi Wild - Aug 18, 2018


Warehouse Theatre will present The Sam Shepard Festival, a theatre repertory series honoring the American playwright Sam Shepard. The Festival will include fully staged productions of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Buried Child, the Tony Award winning play True West, and the semi-autobiographical play Cowboy Mouth, as well as readings on Curse of the Starving Class, Heartless, and Fool for Love.

RIALTO CHATTER: Sam Shepard Arrested For DUI
by Eddie Varley - Jan 4, 2009


The Huffington Post is reporting that Police in Illinois have stated that actor and playwright Sam Shepard has been arrested on preliminary charges of speeding and drunken driving. Police Lt. Mark Kotte says officers stopped Shepard early Saturday morning, January 3rd in the central Illinois town of Normal.

'Kicking A Dead Horse' Closes At The Public 8/10
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 10, 2008


The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Mara Manus) announced that KICKING A DEAD HORSE, a new play written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Shepard and featuring Tony Award nominee Stephen Rea, has extended its run by two weeks. Following a sold-out run at Ireland's Abbey Theatre, it will preview at The Public on Wednesday, June 25 and run through Sunday, August 10 with an official press opening on Monday, July 14 at 7 PM.

Kicking A Dead Horse Begins Previews At Public 6/25
by BWW News Desk - Jun 25, 2008


The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Mara Manus) will begin previews for Sam Shepard's new play KICKING A DEAD HORSE on Wednesday, June 25. Directed by Shepard, KICKING A DEAD HORSE will run through Sunday, August 10 with an official press opening on Monday, July 14 at 7 PM.

Kicking A Dead Horse Begins Previews At Public 6/25
by BWW News Desk - Jun 13, 2008


The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Mara Manus) will begin previews for Sam Shepard's new play KICKING A DEAD HORSE on Wednesday, June 25. Directed by Shepard, KICKING A DEAD HORSE will run through Sunday, August 10 with an official press opening on Monday, July 14 at 7 PM.

The Public Announces 'Kicking A Dead Horse' Extension
by BWW News Desk - May 15, 2008


The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Mara Manus) announced that KICKING A DEAD HORSE, a new play written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Shepard and featuring Tony Award nominee Stephen Rea, has extended its run by two weeks. Following a sold-out run at Ireland's Abbey Theatre, it will preview at The Public on Wednesday, June 25 and run through Sunday, August 10 with an official press opening on Monday, July 14 at 7 PM.

Public Theater to Present New Play by Sam Shepard
by BWW News Desk - May 12, 2008


The Public Theater concludes its 2007-2008 downtown season with the U.S. premiere of 'Kicking a Dead Horse', a new play written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner Sam Shepard and featuring Tony Award nominee Stephen Rea.

Curse of the Starving Class History

Other Productions of Curse of the Starving Class

1978   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
1985   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
1997   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2019   Off-Broadway Signature Theatre Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
2025   Off-Broadway The New Group Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway

Curse of the Starving Class - 1978 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1978 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress - Play Pamela Reed

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