Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
RABE, David
RABE, David. (Dubuque, IA, Mar. 10,1940- ). Playwright. Rabe graduated from LORAS COLLEGE with degrees in English and psychology. His first play The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel, illustrating war's effects on victims and combatants, led to critical acclaim and Rabe receiving the Off Broadway award, Obie, in 1971. In 1972 Sticks and Stones, his second play, received the coveted Tony, theater's highest honor, and a special Critics' Circle citation for best play. Rabe's controversial writing continued in his The Boom Boom Room in 1972. In 1977, Streamers won the Drama Desk Award, the Critics' Award, and was made into a movie directed by Robert Altman.
Rabe achieved film success with his screenplays I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can and Casualties of War starring Sean Penn. In 1989 Rabe directed his critically acclaimed Hurlyburly at the Westwood Playhouse in California.