Brian Parks

Brian Parks (born c. 1962) is an American playwright, journalist and editor. He is a former Arts & Culture editor of The Village Voice and former chairman of its Obie Awards.[1]

As a playwright, Parks has produced works that are noted for their dark comedy and fast pace. Best known for his play Americana Absurdum[2] (which consists of two shorter plays, Vomit & Roses[3] and Wolverine Dream), his other works include Goner, Suspicious Package, Out of the Way, The Invitation[4] (titled Einladung zum Abendessen in the German-language version, translated by John and Peter von Duffel),^[citation needed] Imperial Fizz,[5] and The Professor.[6]

Americana Absurdum was honored with the “Best Writing” award at the 1997 New York International Fringe Festival and a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It was also produced in London in 2004 at the Menier Chocolate Factory Theater.^[citation needed] In 2019 The Scotsman called Parks "one of the great absurdists of Fringe theatre".[6]

Education

Parks graduated from Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, in 1980.[7] He attended Brown University, then Brooklyn College, where he was awarded an MFA in playwriting.[4]

References

1. "The 2012 Obie Award Winners". The Village Voice, May 16, 2012.
2. Marks, Peter (August 22, 1997). "Keeping Pace In a Marathon of Playgoing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
3. The Nation, vol. 261, 1995, p. 364.
4. "Bio". brianparksplaywright.com.
5. Gardner, Lyn (August 13, 2010). "Imperial Fizz". The Guardian.
6. McMillan, Joyce (22 August 2019). "Theatre review: The Professor, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh". The Scotsman.
7. "New York Playwright returns home to Detroit to open comedy "The House" at Ringwald Theatre". WXYZ-TV, March 29, 2019.

Further reading

• Personal website.
• "Brian Parks". The Village Voice.