Golden Boy is a 1937 play by Clifford Odets that explores the tension between art and materialism through the life of Joe Bonaparte, a young Italian American torn between his talent as a violinist and his pursuit of fame and fortune as a prizefighter. Initially supported by his father to pursue music, Joe chooses boxing, setting off a chain of events that alters his relationships and personality. The story delves into themes of identity, ambition, and alienation, as Joe grapples with the sacrifices of his artistic passion for the brutality of the ring. Produced by the Group Theatre and directed by Harold Clurman, the original Broadway run at the Belasco Theatre lasted for 250 performances. The play reflects Odets' personal struggle between creative fulfillment and commercial success, as noted by John Lahr in The New Yorker. It was later adapted into a 1939 film starring William Holden and revived in 1952 and 2012, with the latter production earning multiple Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations.
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