A Tribute to Sam Shepard, Pioneer of New York’s Off-Broadway stage

The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and actor Sam Shepard,  who passed away today at age 73, is remembered for many classic film roles and triumphant plays which embodied a gritty American aesthetic.

But he was also a pivotal contributor to the development of Off and Off-Off Broadway theater in New York City during the 1960s and early 1970s. In fact, I think it’s fair to say we would not have such a healthy independent theater scene without his influence.

This morning I looked at his early work in a New York City in this series of tweets. Here’s the tweet series along with some additional information:

I think its safe to say that Sam Shepard helped build NYC’s Off-Broadway scene and, by extension, the American theater world. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/oiUM109tEV

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Sam Shepard moved to NY in 1962 and became a busboy at the Village Gate, the heart of the Village music scene. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/P0lIPZuZdK

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

The Village Gate’s waiter Ralph Gate began producing Sam’s early plays for Theater Genesis at St Mark’s Church-on-the-Bowery. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/xaRm2z8FD9

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

His plays at St. Mark’s ‘Cowboys’ and ‘Rock Garden’ receive praise from @villagevoice as being “distinctly American.” #SamShepard

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

In 1965, at 21 years old, ‘somber-faced’ Shepard makes Off-Broadway debut at Cherry Lane Theatre with Lanford Wilson. From NYT: #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/mimiJ5e2CD

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

He honed his dramatic skills on Off-Off Broadway’s ‘pass the hat’ circuit in such places as La Mama and Café Cino. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/GNptMUHAdu

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

In 1966 Sam’s play ‘Red Cross’ debuted at Judson Memorial Church. Later that year he won an Obie Award, first of many accolades. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/ITh5ZxPYJY

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Shepard’s play ‘The Unseen Hand’ featured Jim Sharman and Richard O’Brien. Those two later created Rocky Horror Picture Show. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/oRsg48tfde

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Shepard was frequently seen at the Chelsea Hotel during its heyday in the late 1960s-early 70s, greatly influencing his work. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/KtcPwyez4I

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

In 1971, he co-wrote Cowboy Mouth with his girlfriend Patti Smith. It debuted at American Place Theater in Hell’s Kitchen. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/mblj8Hdys7

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Shepard also found the time to play drums for the LES psychedelic band the Holy Modal Rounders, playing on their 1968 album. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/OZxkrDl0zt

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Michelangelo Antonioni hired Shepard to help write script for his film Zabriskie Point, released (and largely panned) in 1971. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/B7pkfNCPR5

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Shepard in 1968: “If I ever got wealthy enough to produce my own plays, I’d never have them reviewed.” #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/AX2jrLb2ZP

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Shepard would move from NY to San Francisco in mid-70s. At SF’s @MagicTheatre he would produce some of his greatest works. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/pTjnKl5r6b

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Shepard won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979 for Buried Child. He never won a Tony Award (but nominated twice). #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/TrzofhMznc

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

The terrific revival of Shepard’s True West (2000) featured John C Reilly and Philip Seymour Hoffman. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/8LYxjyvpgN

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Oh yeah and Sam did some film acting stuff too. #SamShepard pic.twitter.com/afaSkLBTLa

— The Bowery Boys NYC (@BoweryBoys) July 31, 2017

Image at top courtesy the official Sam Shepard website, taken at the Magic Theatre, San Francisco, 1983, photographer unknown