Tom Fudge: There's a period in British history that we call the Restoration era. This took place in the late 17th century. It referrs to the time when the repressive rule of the Puritans came to an end. And the British throne was restored in the person of King Charles II. Now the monarchy wasn't the only thing that was brought back at this time. Theater was as well. And restoration theater is still known today for its bawdy, comic romps across the stage.
Fast forward to the 21st century. A San Francisco playwright named Amy Freed has married two restoration hits and added some updated language and references. Her play is called, quite simply, Restoration Comedy . And it's currently on stage at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park until April 8 th .
Guests
- Amy Freed, a Pultizer Prize finalist for her play, The Beard of Avon . Her play, Restoration Comedy is currently on stage at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park.
- John Rando , director of Restoration Comedy . He won a Tony Award in 2002 for his direction of the hit musical Urinetown .
End Music: I Get a Kick Out of You by Frank Sinatra, from the album The Best of the Capitol Years (1992)
