It’s not often that the town of Wakefield figures prominently in a work of art or literature. But in Israel Horovitz’s The Widow’s Blind Date, the playwright gives his hometown a strong supporting role in this taut drama about the reunion of three Wakefield High School classmates who share an unsavory past.

My review of the current production at Gloucester Stage Company in the August 23 Daily Item mentioned just a few of the Wakefield references that come up in the play, which is set in the baling press room of a wastepaper company in Wakefield. Now that GSC has extended the current run of The Widow’s Blind Date through September 9, 2007, I thought it might make an interesting exercise to examine more of the Wakefield names and locations that come up throughout the play.

Born in Wakefield in 1939, Israel Horovitz was the son of Julius and Hazel Horovitz. Hazel Horovitz lived at 39 Elm Street until her death in May 2005 at age 94.

Israel Horovitz graduated from Wakefield High School in 1956. His plays have been translated and performed worldwide. In 1967-68, Horovitz’s play The Indian Wants the Bronx introduced future stars Al Pacino and John Cazale to New York theater audiences. Another Horovitz play, It’s Called the Sugar Plum introduced Marsha Mason and Jill Clayburgh.
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