Street Scene -- by Elmer L. Rice (1929)

Description
In all honesty, I looked forward to reading this play the least. I had listened to Kurt Weill's 1947 soundtrack of it some time in the past year or so, and I did not follow the track at all. In retrospect, that makes complete sense because there is hardly any plot. The central plot deals with Mrs. Maurrant's affair. The neighbors are scandalized by this. When Mr. Maurrant catches on, he begins to act extra coldly towards her. Their son, Willie, acts like a punk. Their daughter, Rose, acts almost exactly like Mrs. Maurrant. She is pursued romantically by several gentlemen, but she has only true feelings for Sam, her Jewish neighbor. By the end of the play, Mrs. Maurrant is found out by her drunk husband. The results are . . . not good . . .

Somehow, the play reminded me of Our Town, which I do not enjoy for a millisecond. Yet, I could stomach this play. Perhaps I enjoyed it because it was more realistic and their was more drama? I don't know.

Fun facts to leave you with: The 1947 musical was awarded the first ever Tony Award for Best Score. It also received Best Costuming. Extra fun fact: The libretto of the musical was written by none other than Langston Hughes.

Candid Reactions

• Rice mentions how there should be constant background noise during the production. I wonder how this effect was created in the original production. 
• Ah, yes, classic human behavior: speaking true thoughts behind closed doors. 
• The yearning for a "kind word" comes across as desperate, which is sad (571). 
• Mr. Maurrant sounds full-on like President Trump regarding immigration. 
• Easter reminds me of the Gentleman Caller in The Glass Menagerie. 
• Mrs. Maurrant believes, "You can't live without someone to talk to"(596). How sad that she feels she can't talk with her husband!
• The determination of the furniture movers is so off-putting at the end of the show. Well played, Rice. 
• Rose argues, "I don't think people ought to belong to anybody but themselves" (610). Here is a wonderful debate starter!

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning
1. Community
The play highlights the diversity of America. It exposes racism and deception. It relays the basis of relationships and the protective heart of humans.

2. Individualism
Yes, the two aspects are opposite. That is kind of the point, I think. Rice understands the American tension of loyalty. He questions what the American should truly be loyal to. I suppose asking that question is worth being awarded.

Classroom Implications
I do not think this text is extraordinary. I could not justify spending time to use this text in class. However, if my arm was bent, I would choose to pair it with Our Town and/or In the Heights.

Personal Takeaway
Plays can be more enjoyable than soundtracks.

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 6.75
0	Unfollowable; unrealistic; diction does not match character	Undeveloped; does not reflect humanity	Not engaging; predictable; reader can step away from text because it isn’t gripping	Devices are apparent for cleverness and do not enhance the story	Reader has no interest in re-reading play
1	Not consistently realistic	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity (1.5)	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points (1.25)	Devices somewhat enhance story (1)	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1.25)
2	Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters  (1.75)	Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity	Engaging; unique; reader finds it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping!	Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation	Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically