Catch-22 (play)

Catch-22 is a satirical play by the American author Joseph Heller, first produced in 1971 and based on his 1961 novel of the same name.

Catch-22
Written byJoseph Heller
CharactersJohn Yossarian
Chaplain Tappman
Milo Minderbinder
Captain Black
Doc Daneeka
McWatt
Date premiered1971
Original languageEnglish
GenreSatire, Drama
SettingItaly

Plot

The story follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a number of other characters. Most events occur while the airmen of the Fighting 256th (or "two to the fighting eighth power") Squadron are based on the island of Pianosa, west of Italy. Many events in the story are repeatedly described from differing points of view, so the reader learns more about the event from each iteration. Furthermore, the events are referred to as if the reader already knows all about them. The pacing of Catch-22 is frenetic, its tenor intellectual, and its humor largely absurd, though interspersed with moments of grisly realism.

Production history

Heller adapted his book for the stage in 1971, condensing its 500 pages and 50 named characters into two hours of stage time for a cast of nine. The existence of the author's adaptation means it is almost impossible for others to get adapting rights, and, in order to stage Catch-22, Heller's version has to be used.[1]

Until recently, the adaptation had had only limited success and had never been performed on Broadway as originally intended. However, Aquila Theatre produced a stage adaptation of Catch-22 directed by Peter Meineck and based on Heller's own 1971 version. This production toured the United States in 2007-8, and a production began in New York City in November at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, opening on November 23, 2008.[2]

A section based on events in Chapter 8 of the book Catch-22[3] was removed from the play to shorten its running time,[4] and published as separate short one-act play, Clevinger's Trial,[5] which has been produced occasionally.[4][6]

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References
  1. Why a novel so acclaimed took 46 years to make it to the stage: How the cult classic was adapted for the stage
  2. Playbill Archived 2008-10-10 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Clevinger's Trial (from Catch-22). A Play in One Act. By Joseph Heller. Based on Chapter 8 from his Novel Catch-22". Abe Books. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  4. Jack Helbig (March 25, 1993). "Drinking in America/Clevinger's Trial". Chicago Reader. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  5. "Clevinger's Trial (From CATCH 22)". Samuel French. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  6. "Clevinger's Trial (From CATCH 22)". Biz Books. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
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