Kicking A Dead Horse
by Sam Shepard

Name: Kicking A Dead Horse
Brand: Sam Shepard
SKU: 9780822223368
Rating: 3.4 (115 reviews)

Kicking A Dead Horse Book Cover — Kicking A Dead Horse Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

90 minsExterior SetAmerican

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the unique and philosophical exploration in this one-person play, though opinions vary on its execution. Many find the themes compelling but note that the performance quality can significantly impact the experience. A mixture of praise for the writing and critiques of the acting emerges throughout the reviews.

Thought-provoking themesEngaging writingUnique one-person formatInconsistent performance qualitySome found it dry

Synopsis

A solitary man digs a hole in the ground, near a dead horse.

Amidst the clutter of food and equipment stands Hobart Struther, who has ridden all the way out to the middle of nowhere on a holy mission.

But one day into his Great Sojourn, things are looking bleak.

His horse has choked to death, he's miles away from civilization, and there's not a person around to talk to other than himself.

As Hobart examines his rise how he built a vast art collection while ensconced in a comfortable Park Avenue lifestyle he digs deep into his own history, unearthing truths about his past while still struggling to find the answers he needs.

With Shepard's linguistic flair, subtle humor, and probing insights, Kicking a Dead Horse is an invigorating addition to the works of one of America's most innovative playwrights.

Press Reviews

"It is wonderful to hear these fresh words from one of our true American playwrights.” —CurtainUp. “The brilliance of KICKING A DEAD HORSE is in the infinite reverberations Shepard extracts from his simple metaphor.” —TheaterMania. “This deeply instinctual and intuitive artist here seems to be giving fullest rein to his intellect."
— The New York Times