The Cambridge History of American Theatre. Vol. 2: 1870-1945 2

Vol. I: Beginnings to 1870 Volume One deals with the colonial inceptions of American theatre through the post-Civil War period: the European antecedents, the New World influences of the French and Spanish colonists, and the development of uniquely American traditions in tandem with the emergence of national identity. Vol. II: 1870–1945 Volume Two of the authoritative, multi-volume Cambridge History of American Theatre begins in the post-Civil War period and traces the development of American theatre up to 1945. It covers all aspects of theatre from plays and playwrights, through actors and acting, to theatre groups and directors. Topics examined include vaudeville and popular entertainment, European influences, theatre in and beyond New York, the rise of the Little Theatre movement, changing audiences, modernism, the Federal Theatre movement, scenography, stagecraft, and architecture. Contextualising chapters explore the role of theatre within the context of American social and cultural history, and the role of American theatre in relation to theatre in Europe and beyond. This definitive history of American theatre includes contributions from the following distinguished academics - Thomas Postlewait, John Frick, Tice L. Miller, Ronald Wainscott, Brenda Murphy, Mark Fearnow, Brooks McNamara, Thomas Riis, Daniel J. Watermeier, Mary C. Henderson, and Warren Kliewer. Vol. III: Post-World War II to the 1990s Volume 3 of this authoritative and wide-ranging history of American theater examines the theater after World War II, through Broadway and beyond, as well as regional theater across the country. Contributors also analyze new directions in theater design, directing, and acting, as well as key plays and playwrights through the 1990s. The Second Volume Of The Authoritative, Multi-volume Cambridge History Of American Theatre, First Published In 1999, Begins In The Post-civil War Period And Traces The Development Of American Theatre Up To 1945. It Covers All Aspects Of Theatre From Plays And Playwrights, Through Actors And Acting, To Theatre Groups And Directors. Topics Examined Include Vaudeville And Popular Entertainment, European Influences, Theatre In And Beyond New York, The Rise Of The Little Theatre Movement, Changing Audiences, Modernism, The Federal Theatre Movement, Scenography, Stagecraft, And Architecture. Contextualising Chapters Explore The Role Of Theatre Within The Context Of American Social And Cultural History, And The Role Of American Theatre In Relation To Theatre In Europe And Beyond. This Definitive History Of American Theatre Includes Contributions From The Following Distinguished Academics - Thomas Postlewait, John Frick, Tice L. Miller, Ronald Wainscott, Brenda Murphy, Mark Fearnow, Brooks Mcnamara, Thomas Riis, Daniel J. Watermeier, Mary C. Henderson, And Warren Kliewer. The first multi-volume history of the American theatre to have been published, The Cambridge History of American Theatre is an authoritative and wide-ranging history of American theatre in all its dimensions from theatre buildings to playwriting, directors, and designers. Engaging the theatre as a performance art, a cultural institution, and a fact of American social and political life, the History, recognizes changing styles of presentation and performance, and addresses the economic context that conditions the drama presented. Volume One brings together the work of ten major authorities on American theatre and drama. Like each of the three volumes, volume one includes an extensive overview and timeline followed by chapters on specific aspects of American theatre up to c. 1870. The American Society for Theatre Research has awarded the Barnard Hewitt Award for Outstanding Research to The Cambridge History of American Theatre, Volume 1 The Cambridge History of American Theatre Volume Two - 1870-1945 2 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 10 Contributors 12 Preface and Acknowledgments 16 Introduction 20 Timeline: Post-Civil War to 1945 43 1 The Hieroglyphic Stage: American Theatre and Society, Post-Civil War to 1945 126 2 A Changing Theatre: New York and Beyond 215 3 Plays and Playwrights 252 Plays and Playwrights: 1896-1915 280 Plays and Playwrights: 1915-1945 308 4 Theatre Groups and Their Playwrights 362 5 Popular Entertainment 397 6 Musical Theatre 430 7 Actors and Acting 465 8 Scenography, Stagecraft, and Architecture 506 9 Directors and Direction 533 Bibliography 556 Volume Two begins in the post-Civil War period and traces the development of American theater up to 1945. It discusses the role of vaudeville, European influences, the rise of the Little Theater movement, changing audiences, modernism, the Federal Theater movement, major actors and the rise of the star system, and the achievements of notable playwrights. This volume places American theater in its social, economic, and political context. The period of American theatrical entertainment to be surveyed here covers approximately three-quarters of a century, beginning in 1870 - though I will actually reach back to 1865 as my starting point - and ending in 1945. This is an authoritative and wide-ranging history of American theatre in all its dimensions - from theatre buildings to playwriting, directors and designers - from the post-WW2 period up to the 1990s