The Clurman Theater is currently playing host to The Glass House by June Fifer. The subject of the play is of course the Farnsworth House. A house might seem an odd (and possibly boring) subject for a play, but the story behind the Farnsworth house is filled with drama and intrigue (the story is one of the most famous architect-patron relationships in American history). Dr. Edith Farnsworth commissioned van der Rohe to build her “something ‘meaningful.’” The rumor is that during the creation of the glass house, the two had an affair. When the project was over, van der Rohe moved on to another project and another woman, thus the spurned doctor began slinging mud. She took her grievances public in 1953 when she told House Beautiful “I wanted to do something ‘meaningful,’ and all I got was this glib, false sophistication.” A public back and forth ensued, and eventually lawsuits followed.
The Glass House runs from May 9 to June 5 at the Clurman Theater, 410 2. 42nd St. (between 9th and 10th Avenues), Times Square, NYC
