"The House of Blue Leaves" is a play written by John Guare that premiered in 1971. It is set in Queens, New York during the 1965 Pope Paul VI visit to the United States. The story follows Artie Shaughnessy, a struggling songwriter, as he navigates his dreams and the chaos of his life, including his mentally ill wife, Bananas, and his affair with a young actress, Corrinna. The play explores themes of ambition, disillusionment, and the pursuit of the American Dream. It combines elements of dark comedy and tragedy, showcasing the characters' desires and failures against the backdrop of a significant cultural event. The title refers to a metaphorical place of hope and escape.