All the World's a Stage

The canon of great theater runs the gamut from heartbreaking tragedies to uproarious farces that will have you rolling in the aisles. A great piece of theater can transport its audience, and some of the best tragedies and comedies continue to endure. Here are 10 iconic tragedies and 10 revolutionary comedies. 

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1. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Oedipus Rex is a Greek tragedy with a heavy emphasis on tragedy. Centered on a king who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, only for things to then get weird. This play is a cornerstone of classical drama, exploring many human and psychological themes. 

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2. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Who hasn't experienced the ultimate tale about star-crossed lovers who meet a tragic fate? Shakespeare's play is the most noteworthy play about young love and how hate can drive a wedge between them. 

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3. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

A play about an overly ambitious Scotsman who kills his king in cold blood and then goes on to become a tyrant. To some, Macbeth is the best of all of Shakespeare's tragedies, and it continues to enthrall audiences worldwide.

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4. Medea by Euripides

A play about a woman who takes revenge on her husband for being unfaithful by murdering her children. Needless to say, this isn't a light romp. It's a bold and intense portrait of betrayal from the female perspective that lingers long after the curtain has dropped. 

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5. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Premiering in 1949, Death of a Salesman is a deconstruction of the American dream told by a master playwright. You will be heartbroken and engrossed by the exploits of Willy Loman and his downfall. 

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6. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Blanche DuBois squaring off against her brother-in-law is a staple of theatrical tragedies. A Streetcar Named Desire is a classic for a reason, and it drips with a Southern Gothic vibe and poses many psychological questions. 

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7. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Only Arthur Miller could use the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for the Red Scare. It's a dire warning against hysteria and mob mentality, and its themes hold true today in many ways. 

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8. Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

A haunting play and morality tale about a man who sells his soul for power and knowledge. It first premiered in the late 16th century in London, England, and still ranks as one of the most tragic plays to ever grace a stage. 

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9. The Seagull by Anton Chekhov

The Seagull is a Russian tragedy about unrequited love and how an obsession with art can destroy your life. Steeped in Russian realism and crackling dialogue, Chekhov's masterpiece is heavy and heavily symbolic. 

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10. Richard III by William Shakespeare

Richard III isn't Shakespeare's best tragedy (in our opinion, anyway), but this tale of the rise and fall of a ruthless king portrays villainy in a way that most plays haven't come close to. This stellar work offers immense character depth and a lot of violence. 

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1. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

A brilliant comedy about two men who fake their identities to pursue women. The folly of a double life is richly explored in what many consider to be Wilde's best work. 

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2. Tartuffe by Molière

Jean-Baptiste Poqueline, also known as Molière, was a French playwright with a deft sense of humor that produced both simple farces and heightened satires. Tartuffe was his crowning achievement. This comedy satirizes the religious class and wealthy elites in France. 

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3. The Marriage of Figaro by Pierre Beaumarchais

The Marriage of Figaro is a comedy told in four acts that would become immortalized by the music of Mozart. This play stirred quite a bit of controversy among the aristocracy for its depiction of servants outwitting their masters. 

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4. The Odd Couple by Neil Simon

The Odd Couple has been revived and interpreted by other writers numerous times. Even some buddy cop movies steal from Simon's original vision. The classic story of a mismatched pair of roommates is as funny today as it was when it premiered in 1965. 

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5. The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan

The Mikado is a satirical operetta set in a fictionalized version of Japan. It mocks the British bureaucracy with hints of an exotic comedy. Gilbert and Sullivan represent the most important theatrical partnership from the Victorian era, and this is one of their most vital works. 

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6. Noises Off by Michael Frayn

Noises Off depicts a play within a play, a motif that made it an instant comedy hit with theatergoers. Frayn conceived the play while watching a performance from the wings of a theater, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

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7. Private Lives by Noel Coward

This comedy of manners is one of Coward's best. It's about a divorced couple who rekindle their romance while on their honeymoon with their new spouses. Coward wrings as much comedy as possible from the adjacent room setup. 

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8. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

How revolutionary was Much Ado About Nothing? Well, it was recently remade into a romantic comedy starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell. A play full of misunderstandings and chaos-fuelled love, this might be Shakespeare's finest comedy. 

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9. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

Stoppard's brilliant comedy brings two minor characters from Hamlet into the spotlight. The story is layered with absurdities and existential questions, and will make your rethink the classic Shapespearean tragedy.  

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10. The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder

Thornton Wilder won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for this play, which explores the resilience of humanity. It's a gripping piece of work with hints of satire and some audience interaction. 

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