David Ives Books

The world according to David Ives is a very odd place, and his plays constitute a virtual stress test of the English language -- and of the audience's capacity for disorientation and delight. Ives's characters plunge into black holes called "Philadelphias," where the simplest desires are hilariously thwarted. Chimps named Milton, Swift, and Kafka are locked in a room and made to re-create Hamlet. And a con man peddles courses in a dubious language in which "hello" translates as "velcro" and "fraud" comes out as "freud."At once enchanting and perplexing, incisively intelligent and side-splittingly funny, this original paperback edition of Ives's plays includes "Sure Thing," "Words, Words, Words," "The Universal Language," "Variations on the Death of Trotsky," "The Philadelphia," "Long Ago and Far Away," "Foreplay, or The Art of the Fugue," "Seven Menus," "Mere Mortals," "English Made Simple," "A Singular Kinda Guy," "Speed-the-Play," "Ancient History," and "Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread."

Venus in Fur is an intoxicating dark comedy of desire, fantasy and the innate love of fur. An exploration of gender roles and sexuality, in which desire twists and turns in on itself, Venus in Fur is also a witty, unsettling look at the art of acting-onstage and off.

The collection showcases David Ives's talent for absurd and humorous one-act plays, exploring quirky scenarios such as mayflies on a date with limited time, a repairman in love with a washing machine, and Babylonian workers tasked with building the Tower of Babel. This anthology includes all the one-acts from his Off-Broadway hit Mere Mortals, new works from Lives of the Saints, and several previously uncollected plays, blending zaniness with thought-provoking themes in a unique theatrical experience.

In this comedic adaptation, Frank, much like Molière's Alceste, is disillusioned by societal hypocrisy and faces the consequences of offending a terrible poet. His romantic pursuit of Celimene, a clever widow, takes a twist when she mistakenly thinks he is the illegitimate brother of King Louis XIV, complicating their relationship. David Ives infuses the story with humor and modern flair, creating a lively exploration of love and deception amidst a backdrop of social critique.

The collection features four full-length plays that explore diverse themes and characters. "Polish Joke" follows a Polish-American grappling with ethnic stereotypes, while "Don Juan in Chicago" presents a Renaissance figure who becomes an unwilling lover after a pact with the devil. "Ancient History" delves into a comedy-drama about love amid cultural conflict, and "The Red Address" offers a poignant look at a man's hidden truths revealed through tragedy. Each play showcases the author's unique blend of humor and depth.

The narrative explores Phillip's journey as he grapples with his trust in Spider, a character who defies divine authority in his quest for fame. Amidst this struggle, Phillip receives an unwavering call from Jesus, urging him towards a transformative life filled with goodness and remarkable resourcefulness. The story delves into themes of faith, temptation, and the pursuit of true purpose.