In my final critique I will analyze the theater production of the Broadway hit "Buried Child" by Sam Shepard. In my discussion, I will discuss the components of play as they are related to this production I will discuss the plot, character, theme, diction, music, spectacle, and convection. I will also discuss Sam Shepard as a playwright and give some historical background on him. I believe this is necessary because of the complexity and confusion the play brings about.
             First I will discuss the historical background on Sam Sherpard. I believe to truly understand this play you have to understand the playwright himself. Sam Shepard is Americans playwright and whose plays deal with modern social concerns such as individual alienation and the destructive effects of family relationships in an ailing American society. Born Samuel Shepard Rogers, Jr., in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, he attended San Antonio Junior College, located in California, but did not graduate.
             Shepard's first full-length play, La Turista (1967), won an Obie Award (given for off-Broadway theater productions) for distinguished play. It was followed by Operation Sidewinder (1970), Curse of the Starving Class (1977), Buried Child (1978; Pulitzer Prize 1979; rewritten by Shepard, 1995), True West (1980), Fool for Love (1983), A Lie of the Mind (1985), and Simpatico (1994), among others. Shepard became known for his oblique story lines, slightly mysterious characters, verbal skills, and use of surreal elements with images of popular culture.
             The plot of this play takes place in a living room or a TV room where
             Vince arrives unannounced at the Illinois farmhouse of his grandparents Dodge and Halie after six years of separation from his family. He has brought his girlfriend Shelly to meet them. But his family proves to be a bizarre group who barely knows who he is. In trying to make sense of the situation, Shelly uncovers the deeply buried family secrets that have destr...