1. Hamlet, William Shakespeare
The Tragedy of Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is considered by many to be one of the world’s premier stage plays – the Platonic ideal of a play, if you will. Written in the 17th century, Hamlet has been staged thousands of times, inspired hundreds of films and become an integral reference in western culture, as well as a coveted role for young actors. This dramatic tale of love, revenge and tragedy relates the saga of Hamlet, a Danish prince intent on vengeance, and the characters he encounters in his quest.
2. Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller
Our list of famous stage plays continues with Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. Shortly after its premiere, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Published in 1948 and premiering on Broadway the next year, Death of a Salesman won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. Considered one of the world’s most famous stage plays of the 20th century, Death of a Salesman depicts the last day in the life of Willy Loman. As an allegory on what constitutes success and ‘the American Dream’, the play is also a sobering portrait of family relationships, along with the illusions that hold them together.
3. Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett
Written in 1948, in French, and premiered in Paris five years later, this renowned play has been translated into dozens of languages. The story begins with the meeting of two men, Vladimir and Estragon, under a tree, and continues as they wait for Godot. Vladimir and Estragon converse, argue,encounter other characters and contemplate suicide, as they wait for Godot. As the quintessential existentialist drama, Waiting for Godot is both frustrating and exhilirating to witness. This play convinces the viewer that to stop is a form of progress, and it certainly belongs in the pantheon of the world’s most famous stage plays.
4. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Edward Albee
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee was first performed on Broadway in 1962. Powerful and provocative, this bold and harsh observation of the institution of marriage made headlines, quickly becoming one of the most well-known plays in the United States and, later, the world. We strongly recommend watching this dramatic stage play that sparked debate about marriage.
5. The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera is the final stage play in our best theater plays series. Extremely serious, yet utterly entertaining, The Threepenny Opera was adapted from an earlier work called The Beggar’s Opera. One of the most important works in German theater and featuring a score by Kurt Weill, The Threepenny Opera depicts the story ofJonathan Jeremiah Peachum, the wealthy leader of a gang of beggars. After Polly, Peachum’s daughter, marries the master criminal Mack the Knife, Peachum does everything in his power to get Mack arrested. Now one of the world’s most famous stage plays, The Threepenny Opera is most certainly worth seeing!
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