Heaven on Earth - Robert

Heaven on Earth - Robert Schenkkan Robert Schenkkan is a playwright and an actor, known for appearances in television shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation. This paper presents a brief biography of Schenkkan, focusing on his writing, with an emphasis on the play Heaven on Earth. Aside from Heaven and Earth, Schenkkan has written eight full-length plays. He is most known for The Kentucky Cycle, a play which premiered at the Intiman Theater in Seattle, WA and for which Schenkkan was recognized with the Pulitzer Prize.

In addition, the playwright also won the Best Play award from the PEN Center West and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. He also received nominations for a Tony Award, as well as the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Schenkkan's play Heaven on Earth is an earlier work, which premiered in 1989. The play was first staged off Broadway, at the WPA Theater to rousing reviews. Heaven on Earth is a play in the comedy drama genre, with a total of only six characters.

Through their interactions, Schenkken shows the story of how Waylon, a tiny town in West Texas, became an evangelical Mecca for the faithful. The play is set in a small town in West Texas, in the present day. Bobby, the lead, lives with his grandmother Martha. For the past 30 years, Martha has worked in the local beauty shop to support her grandson, who was only a boy when he survived a car crash that killed his mother.

Bobby tried in vain to make a living, but always ended up returning to live with Martha, where he ended up drinking. The two are stark contrasts, with Martha maintaining a strong optimism and belief in God, while Bobby seemed to be angry at God over his parents' death. Bobby's latest business venture -- a used appliance shop on Martha's front lawn -- fails once more, leading to an argument between Bobby and Martha. Bobby states that if a miracle happens within 24 hours, he would adopt Martha's god-fearing ways.

However, should there be no miracle, Martha must give up religion. Within a few minutes of agreeing, the face of Jesus appears on the side of one of the refrigerators on Martha's front lawn. This event understandably alters their lives. Bobby goes crazy marketing the Jesus apparition, losing no time to exploit the gullible. However, Martha's initial delight at the "miracle" soon gives way to dismay at the loss of her privacy, over the intrusive mobs and cameras at her doorstep.

The scam is finally revealed, however, when Martha's friend Jessie reveals that the image is actually caused by shadows cast by trees. Initially, Bobby once again reacts with anger at his loss, but Martha is once again there for him. She also learns to relax her stringent views on religion. The play ends on a hopeful note, that together, Bobby and Martha will arrive at better understandings of one another, and of themselves. Heaven on Earth is a very simple story, but it makes a strong impact on the viewer.

Bobby's anger is very palpable, and.