Historical Dictionary of German Theater (Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts)

More than mere entertainment, German theater was a crucial component of culture—often influencing society and politics in German-speaking countries—whose influence gradually reached much further with the emergence of outstanding playwrights like Goethe, Schiller, Hauptmann, and Brecht, as well as exceptional dramas such as Faust and The Threepenny Opera. The Historical Dictionary of German Theater covers the field of theater performance in the German language, concentrating on German-speaking Europe, through a chronology, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant playwrights, directors, producers, designers, actors, plays, theaters, cities, dramatic genres, and movements such as the Sturm und Drang, Naturalism, and Expressionism. More than mere entertainment, German theater was a crucial component of culture_often influencing society and politics in German-speaking countries_whose influence gradually reached much further with the emergence of outstanding playwrights like Goethe, Schiller, Hauptmann, and Brecht, as well as exceptional dramas such as Faust and The Threepenny Opera. The Historical Dictionary of German Theater covers the field of theater performance in the German language, concentrating on German-speaking Europe, through a chronology, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant playwrights, directors, producers, designers, actors, plays, theaters, cities, dramatic genres, and movements such as the Sturm und Drang, Naturalism, and Expressionism. "German theater has always held a special place in the life of the German-speaking community, which consists mainly of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. More than merely entertainment, it was a crucial component of culture and often influenced society and politics. And its influence gradually reached much further, with the emergence of such outstanding playwrights as Goethe, Schiller, Hauptmann, and Brecht, as well as exceptional dramas such as Faust and The Threepenny Opera, which have been translated and staged around the world." "Historical Dictionary of German Theater provides entries on significant playwrights, directors, and actors; notable plays; and major styles. The emergence of the tradition is followed in the chronology and described in the introduction. The bibliography provides further resources."--Jacket