Alec Baldwin 🎄

The Night of the Iguana is a play by Tennessee Williams that explores themes of fading youth, mental health, and the desires of lonely individuals. Set in a rundown Mexican hotel, the story revolves around characters like the defrocked Reverend T. Lawrence Shannon and the artist Hannah Jelkes, amidst a backdrop of personal crises and emotional connections. The play is known for its hopeful ending and its departure from Williams's typical Southern settings.

The Cherry Orchard is a poignant play that explores themes of social mobility, change, and the decline of the aristocracy. The story revolves around Madame Ranevskaya's return to her family estate, only to find it threatened by financial ruin. Despite efforts to save it, the estate is eventually sold to Lopakhin, a former peasant turned successful businessman, symbolizing the end of an era. The play is a powerful commentary on the inability of the old aristocracy to adapt to modern realities.

In 'Motherless Brooklyn', Jonathan Lethem tells the story of Lionel Essrog, a private investigator with Tourette's syndrome, who works for a small-time detective agency in Brooklyn. After his mentor, Frank Minna, is murdered, Lionel sets out to solve the crime, navigating through a complex web of gangsters, corruption, and personal relationships. The novel is praised for its unique protagonist, intricate plot, and Lethem's vivid portrayal of Brooklyn in the late 1990s. It won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1999 and the 2000 Gold Dagger award for crime fiction.

A Study in Scarlet is the first detective novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, introducing the iconic characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. The story begins with Watson, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, meeting Holmes and becoming his flatmate at 221B Baker Street. They are drawn into a murder investigation, which Holmes solves using his extraordinary deductive skills. The novel is divided into two parts: the first part takes place in London, while the second part is set in Utah and provides the backstory of the victims. The novel was originally published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual in 1887 and later in novel form in 1888.

Glengarry Glen Ross is a play by David Mamet that explores the ruthless and competitive world of real estate sales. Set in a Chicago office, it follows a group of desperate salesmen who engage in unethical tactics to survive in their industry. The play critiques the darker aspects of capitalism and human nature, highlighting themes of desperation, greed, and betrayal. It is known for its intense dialogue and complex characters, offering a powerful commentary on the American business culture.

The play revolves around Blanche DuBois, who, after a series of personal losses, including the loss of her family home and her job as an English teacher due to a scandal, moves to New Orleans to live with her younger sister Stella and her husband Stanley. The tension between Blanche and Stanley, fueled by their contrasting backgrounds and desires, leads to a tragic confrontation. The play explores themes of desire, reality vs. fantasy, and the decline of the Old South, set against the vibrant and tumultuous backdrop of New Orleans' French Quarter in the post-World War II era.