Catch 22 (play)

Catch-22 is a satirical, historical fiction, theatre production by the American author Joseph Heller, first produced in 1971. The novel Catch-22, on which this play is based, is set during the latter stages of the Second World War from 1943 onwards. It is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the Twentieth Century. The story follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a number of other characters. Most events occur while the airmen of the Fighting 256th (or "two to the fighting eighth power") Squadron are based on the island of Pianosa, west of Italy. Many events in the story are repeatedly described from differing points of view, so the reader learns more about the event from each iteration. Furthermore, the events are referred to as if the reader already knows all about them. The pacing of Catch-22 is frenetic, its tenor intellectual, and its humor largely absurd, though interspersed with moments of grisly realism. This show has had relatively low success. It has never been preformed on Broadway as was originally intended.