Cafe in Belleville, Paris


Grafitti in Belleville, Paris


Belleville— What’s In A Name ?


Although much of the focus of Belleville is on Abby and Zack’s relationship with each other, the fact that the play is named for Belleville emphasizes the importance in the play of Abby and Zack’s relationship with their neighborhood and neighbors:


“Te more I started writing the play the more I felt the environment of Belleville was kind of a character. “Belleville” means “beautiful city,” and I think the dream of what Paris was going to be was very alive for Abby and very important to why they’re there, and it felt like that was a good starting point for the audience—the words “beautiful city” in another language... She doesn’t know specifically about Belleville, but in her mind Paris is this beautiful city that holds this romantic promise and nostalgia. Te play is about, among other things, this [romantic idea] being totally deconstructed and savaged for her. Te title lingers aſterward as a reminder of what everyone thought the city was.”


—Amy Herzog (playwright) To read this entire interview continue on to the next article. 5


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gilles_itzkovitchklein/479706369/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/philsnoopy/7632049298/


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