Steambath
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Steambath was the second play by American author Bruce Jay Friedman to be produced. It was first performed in 1970.
This play presents the afterlife as a steam bath, in which dead souls (who may not in every case realize that they are dead) continue to obsess about the same petty concerns that obsessed them in their lives. Ultimately, they are cast into a dark void by God, the steambath's Puerto Rican attendant. In the play, new arrival Tandy at first refuses to accept what's happened, and when he finally does, he pleads to be allowed to return to his life. Steambath was controversial when first produced for its obscene language (which was softened for its television version), its satirical take on religion, and some brief nudity.
Friedman claims to have been inspired to write the play in part because of a "bad experience with the food at a Chinese restaurant" that had him contemplating mortality.
In its original production, Anthony Perkins directed and played the role of Tandy. The play was produced for PBS in 1973 with José Pérez playing God, Bill Bixby playing Tandy, and Valerie Perrine as the blond bombshell, Meredith. Perrine made television history as the first female to have her nipples displayed (intentionally, rather than accidentally) on American broadcast television, though the programme was not carried by the entire network.
Steambath was also a series on Showtime in 1983, starring Robert Picardo in the Tandy role. Also featured were Janis Ward as Meredith, Al Ruscio as DaVinci, Rita Taggart as Blanche and Allen Williams as Gottleib. José Pérez reprised his role as God, who now also had a name, "Morty." A pilot was produced and aired, later followed by five additional episodes.
[edit] Sources
- Interview with Bruce Jay Friedman by Derek Alger, PIF magazine
