Third
by Wendy Wasserstein

Name: Third
Brand: Wendy Wasserstein
SKU: 9780822222750
Rating: 3.71 (95 reviews)

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

90 minsPresent DayUnit Set/Multiple SettingsContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the boldness and relevant themes of Third, highlighting it as a fitting final work by Wendy Wasserstein. Many feel that while the play has strong moments, it also suffers from some structural imbalances between its acts and a somewhat repetitive message.

Thought-provoking themesStrong charactersWell-structured playLacks humor in second actRepetitive message

Synopsis

THE STORY: His name is Woodson Bull III, but you can call him Third.

And Professor Laurie Jameson is disinclined to like his jockish, jingoistic attitude.

He is, as she puts it, a walking red state.

Believing that Third's sophisticated essay on

ThemesAuthorship--Moral and ethical aspects--Drama Authorship--Moral and ethical aspects MLCS 2011/40370 (P)Prejudices Prejudices--Drama Teacher-student relationships Teacher-student relationships--Drama Women college teachers Women college teachers--Drama

Press Reviews

"It's the certainty of uncertainty in life that makes Third so affecting… Third exhales a gentle breath of autumn, a rueful awareness of death and of seasons past, that makes it impossible to dismiss it… a gracious air of both apology and forgiveness pervades its attitude to its characters."
— The New York Times

"[Wasserstein's] play about a college professor who accuses a student of plagiarism is timely and provocative."
— Broadway.com

"Wasserstein's new play – her best in years – is thematically richer and more emotionally satisfying than any mere political screed… [a] story of a woman's self-reassessment as she heads into the third part of her life."
— Variety