Sexual Perversity in Chicago Background

Sexual Perversity in Chicago Background

David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago (1974) tells the story of the sex lives of four people: two men (Dan Shapiro and Bernard Litko) and two women (Deborah Soloman and Joan Webber) as they try to successfully swing. The story is profane and dialogue-heavy, two Mamet trademarks. The play was produced a number of times, most notably in Chicago, off-Broadway, and on the West End.

Users on Amazon gave the play a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Users on Goodreads, however, thought of the play less favorably. On that site, the play has a rating of 3.65 out of 5 stars. The Chicago Reader loved the play, saying that it was "brilliant."

Mamet's play was also adapted to film two times, both of which were titled About Last Night. The first adaption was released in 1986, directed by Edward Zwick, and received solid, albeit unspectacular reviews. The second adaption was released in 2014, directed by Steve Pink, and received similarly solid, albeit unspectacular reviews. Mamet, though disavowed the 1986 film, writing: "as a callow youth with hay sticking out of my ears, I sold both the play and the screenplay for about $12 and a mess of porridge...." Nevertheless, both films were still tremendously financially successful.

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