On April 6, 2009, what would have been the 100th birthday of Nelson Algren, a group of actors and authors staged a tribute to the writer at Chicago's famed Steppenwolf Theater. Though he's not necessarily a familiar name today, Algren was championed by Studs Terkel and was at one time celebrated as one of America's great literary authors for his novels (including The Man with the Golden Arm and Walk on the Wild Side) and short stories that chronicled life on the margins of society. This tribute, scripted by author Barry Gifford and Algren's editor Dan Simon, frames dramatic readings from Algren's published and (at the time) unpublished works with narration and commentary and intersperses the readings with selections from published interviews with Nelson Algren (read by Gifford).
Among those participating in the presentation are authors Russell Banks (who serves as narrator) and Don DeLillo, Steppenwolf artistic director Martha Lavey, and award-winning actor Willem Dafoe, who takes on two of Algren's characters in the dramatic readings. While the entire presentation is tightly scripted, this is not a play but a staged reading presented on an unadorned stage, with the actors seated in folding chairs until they rise for their cues. The participants read from scripts at a standing microphone, letting the words take center stage, and the presentation frames the readings with background on the life of Algren, including his long relationship with Simone de Beauvoir and his political activism. The stage production, directed by David New, keeps the enterprise lively, moving smoothly between readings and commentary as it explores both Algren's writings and his life, slowing only to linger on Algren's words.
Film director Oscar Bucher paces the film to the rhythm of the readings and incorporates archival images, a mix of gritty images of life on Chicago streets in the mid-20th century and evocative art photos, throughout the presentation to illustrate Algren's Chicago. The hybrid nature of the production and its focus on an author no longer well known to the general public may limit the audience but it is an excellent introduction to the life and work of Algren and an engaging production in its own right. Not rated. Features adult material and language but no explicit material. A strong option purchase. Aud: J, H, C, P.