The House of Blue Leaves | Essays and Criticism

  • Spectrum of Women's Morality in The House of Blue Leaves

    In this essay, Petrusso discusses the spectrum of women’s morality in The House of Blue Leaves, and how this relates to the play’s larger purpose.

  • Review of House of Blue Leaves

    Malone reviews a 1986 production of Guare’s play, finding that the play’s irreverence and subversion are more readily accepted by today’s mainstream theatregoers than when House of Blue Leaves debuted in 1971.

  • Old and Improved

    Calling the 1986 revival ‘‘infinitely better’’ than the original production of House of Blue Leaves, Oliver finds this new staging of Guare’s play to be ‘‘deeper, sadder, more passionate.’’

  • Crazed Husbands, Crazy Wives

    Simon reviews a 1986 production and finds that Guare’s play retains much of its irreverent and absurdist power. The critic reserves particular praise for the trio of actors essaying the lead roles.