Autobahn: A Short-Play Cycle

I've read all of Labute's plays, and this one is greater than the others in some new and interesting ways. I always read his introduction last, because it usually gives away some of the story. This intro said two really cool things.He introduces the first cool thing by a fellow playwright wanting to "see his play performed in living rooms, in front of audiences of ten or twelve people. I feel the same way. Theater is anywhere you make it. I hope that with this print edition of autobahn actors take the text and memorize it, gather their friends in their own cars, and take off down the road, filling those intimate interiors with my words and their emotions. That would be a pleasure to behold."This is really cool, because as I was reading one of the six acts in the play called "long division," I realized that was a play that I would enjoy memorizing and performing in front of friends. I'm not an actor at all, but this book contains a bunch of one person and two person stories that are short enough for the lay person to memorize. That's what I think is cool about this book, is I could picture high school drama classes using this, and it really is some of the best literature out there.It's also ironic, because all of his books have a warning about needing to arrange a royalty schedule for any public performance of his play.The second cool thing is about how plays encourage the imagination by having very scaled down and limited sets. I saw a local play that had a limited set about a week after reading this intro, and Labute's discussion on this aspect of theater accentuated my experience.About the actual stories...I keep using the word "haunting" to describe his work. It's extremely well written, and the stories just stick with me. I keep thinking of the story where the girl tells her mother "I know I'm gonna do everything within my power to use again." For some reason I can't get that out of my mind, and I think that it's kind of an allegory to a bunch of other things in life. The other one that sticks with me is where the husband tries to convince himself that the wife didn't do it again. "You didn't, did you? No, you didn't. I know you wouldn't do that again. Right? You would not...Honey? Angel?"The rest of the stories are like that...they haunt me because they stick with me.

Fantastic set of one acts. Versatile and riveting. This show could be done as a mainstage or in a blackbox with a large or small budget. I definitely recommend doing multiple stories from it if you're doing something small. Some of Labute's best work in my opinion.

Loved it!

Quick delivery, book was in great shape, would definitely purchase from this person again! Thanks so much!

I just saw a production of this, and unlike my fellow reviewer, who appreciated it's depth and power, I and my friend who went with me, were pissed and aggravated at the excess that Autobahn represents.Now I've read much of LaBute's work, and seen several of his films, so I am aware of his style. I have liked his works and notice when he is active. But this was a lesson in the danger of artistic ease, of guaranteed publication, of knowing that there will be people lined up to see one's newest work; because the name has overtaken the substance of the work. And like a subplicant I and my friend went to see this...and it was a lousy experience. And not for the acting, or the set. But because putting people into a car to deal with each other's various conflicts or monumental gaffs or uncontrollable urges and thinking that is all that is needed to illuminate our dark recesses is naive at worst and cruel at best. And nine scenes of cruelty is not my idea of a good time, nor are nine scenes of foolishness.LaBute mailed this one in. One star for the scene Bench Seat (with possible half credit going to the actors) and an occaisonal laugh.

I have both read these plays and seen them produced at a small theater in Los Angeles. Whether on the page or stage, these plays are always interesting, incisive, and leave you pondering them for days afterward. Much like a good short story, LaBute is able - in just a few pages - to conjure up his worlds and characters in full, letting you know enough about them that you have a good idea (often an unsettling one, to tell the truth) of what happens to characters once the play ends.It's not all doom and gloom, though. There are laughs throughout, even the occasional sweet moment, albeit against backdrops that aren't 100% wholesome. Although if you are looking for 100% wholesome, LaBute wouldn't be your first choice. From an acting point of view, it's difficult to find material that does a better job of celebrating theater in its most basic form. Difficult to be sure (in many of the plays, one of the characters doesn't say anything at all!), but thrilling when well executed.The short play, like the short film, doesn't have a lot of marketability in the commercial sphere, and it is a treat that one of our leading playwrights has tried his (expert) hand at them. If you like short stories, or are a fan of good writing for the stage, you'll enjoy Autobahn.

My copy arrived fairly quickly and in very good condition.Very well written and evocative, I'd love to see these plays performed.The only thing was, by the time I got to the last play, I found it slightly formulaic.Would highly recommend reading.