Mama Dada: Gertrude Stein's Avant-Garde Theater (Studies in Modern Drama)

Mama Dada is the first book to examine Gertrude Stein's drama within the history of the theatrical and cinematic avant-gardes. Since the publication of Stein's major writings by the Library of America in 1998, interest in her dramatic writing has escalated, particularly in American avant-garde theaters. This book addresses the growing interest in Stein's theater by offering the first detailed analyses of her major plays, and by considering them within a larger history of avant-garde performance. In addition to comparing Stein's plays and theories to those generated by Dadaists, Surrealists, and Futurists, this study further explores the uniqueness of Stein via these theatrical movements, including discussions of her interest in American life and drama, which argues that a significant and heretofore unrecognized relationship exists among the histories of avant-garde drama, cinema, and homosexuality. By examining and explaining the relationship among these three histories, the dramatic writings of Stein can best be understood, not only as examples of literary modernism, but also as influential dramatic works that have had a lasting effect on the American theatrical avant-

mama Dada Is The First Book The Examine Gertrude Stein's Drama Within The History Of The Theatrical And Cinematic Avant-gardes. Since The Publication Of Stein's Major Writings By The Library Of America In 1998, Interest In Her Dramatic Writing Has Escalated, Particularly In American Avant-garde Theaters. This Book Addresses The Growing Interest In Stein's Theater By Offering The First Detailed Analyses Of Her Major Plays, And By Considering Them Within A Larger History Of Avant-garde Performance. In Addition To Comparing Stein's Plays And Theories To Those Generated By Dadaists, Surrealists, And Futurists, This Study Further Explores The Uniqueness Of Stein Via These Theatrical Movements, Including Discussions Of Her Interest In American Life And Drama, Which Argues That A Significant And Heretofore Unrecognized Relationship Exists Among The Histories Of Avant-garde Drama, Cinema, And Homosexuality. By Examining And Explaining The Relationship Among These Three Histories, The Dramatic Writings Of Stein Can Best Be Understood, Not Only As Examples Of Literary Modernism, But Also As Influential Dramatic Works That Have Had A Lasting Effect On The American Theatrical Avant-garde.

Interdisciplinary Studies Book Cover 1 Half-Title 2 Title 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 Contents 8 General Editor’s Note 9 Acknowledgments 10 Chapter 1 Introduction 11 Avant-Garde Drama, Cinema, and Queerness 18 Gertrude Stein: A Cinematic, Avant-Garde Queer 28 Chapter 2 “Eyes Are a Surprise”: The Origins of Gertrude Stein’s Drama In Cinema 37 Chapter 3 “Listen to Me”: Stein and Avant-Garde Theater 56 World War I, Science, and the Avant-Garde 61 Four Saints in Three Acts (1927) 63 They Must. Be Wedded. To Their Wife. (1931) 69 Listen to Me (1936) 75 Chapter 4 Atom and Eve: Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights 81 Chapter 5 “My Long Life”: Final Works 103 Chapter 6 “America Is My Country”: Gertrude Stein and the American Avant-Garde 125 Stein and American Drama 130 Stein and American Cinema 133 Stein and Avant-Garde Performance 135 The Living Theater 136 Richard Foreman 140 Robert Wilson 144 Conclusion 149 Appendix A A Chronological List of Gertrude Stein’s Plays 153 Appendix B A Chronological List of Professional Productions 159 Appendix C A Chronological List of Dramatic Adaptations 177 Notes 187 Bibliography 194 Index 204 "This book is the first major study of Gertrude Stein's dramatic works within the history of the theatrical and cinematic avant-gardes. Sarah Bay-Cheng offers incisive analyses of Stein's major and minor plays, and the first detailed studies of Stein's screenplays, A Movie (1920) and Film. Deux Soeurs Qui Ne Sont Pas Soeurs (1929). While addressing the impact of Stein as a major influence on the American avant-garde - in particular, her influence on the Living Theater, Richard Foreman, and Robert Wilson - Bay-Cheng also considers Stein's drama within a larger tradition of avant-garde performance by comparing her plays and dramatic theories to those generated by Dadaists, Surrealists, and Futurists."--Jacket.