Russian Culture and Theatrical Performance in America, 1891–1933

Examining the work of impresarios, financiers, and the press as well as the artists themselves, Hohman demonstrates how a variety of Russian theatrical styles were introduced and incorporated into American theatre and dance during the beginning of the twentieth century. Between the 1890s and the 1930s, advancements in communication and travel encouraged widespread international cultural exchange, and Americans increasingly came into contact with Russian culture and theatrical performance. A number of factors, including emigration from Russia, world war, revolutionary activities in both Russia and the United States, and developments in modernism in the American theatre influenced the way those performances were received by American artists and audiences. Examining the work of impresarios, financiers, and the press as well as the artists themselves, Hohman demonstrates how a variety of Russian theatrical styles were introduced and incorporated into American theatre and dance "Between the 1890s and the 1930s, advancements in communication and travel encouraged widespread international cultural exchange, and Americans increasingly came into contact with Russian culture and theatrical performance. A number of factors, including emigration from Russia, world war, revolutionary activities in both Russia and the United States, and developments in modernism in the American theatre influenced the way those performances were received by American artists and audiences. Examining the work of impresarios, financiers, and the press as well as the artists themselves, Hohman demonstrates how a variety of Russian theatrical styles were introduced and incorporated into American theatre and dance"-- Provided by publisher "Between the 1890s and the 1930s, advancements in communication and travel encouraged widespread international cultural exchange, and Americans increasingly came into contact with Russian culture and theatrical performance. A number of factors, including emigration from Russia, world war, revolutionary activities in both Russia and the United States, and developments in modernism in the American theatre influenced the way those performances were received by American artists and audiences. Examining the work of impresarios, financiers, and the press as well as the artists themselves, Hohman demonstrates how a variety of Russian theatrical styles were introduced and incorporated into American theatre and dance"-- NL-ZmNBD Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 List of Illustrations 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction 11 Part I Russians in America: The Early Years 21 Part II The Russian Invasion of the American Theatre 66 Part III Revolutionary Theatre: From Russia to America 110 Conclusion 147 Appendix: Representative U.S. Performances Featuring the Work of Theatre and Dance Artists from the Russian Empire 154 Notes 175 Bibliography 197 Index 210 Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-10 Russians in America: The Early Years....Pages 11-55 The Russian Invasion of the American Theatre....Pages 57-100 Revolutionary Theatre: From Russia to America....Pages 101-137 Conclusion....Pages 139-145 Back Matter....Pages 147-209