American Playwrights, 1880-1945: A Research and Production Sourcebook

(Hardback)

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During the years 1880 to 1945, American theatre grew up, moving from entertainment-driven motives and melodramatic formulas to serious confrontations with issues of its time and to an experimentation with forms that would allow those confrontations to be frank and earnest. Many of the playwrights of this time wrote works of lasting significance, while others have impacted the work of contemporary dramatists. This reference is a guide to American theatre during this formative period. The volume includes alphabetically arranged entries for 40 American playwrights active between 1880 and 1945. Included are the most frequently canonized figures, as well as previously neglected women and minority playwrights whose work is a vital part of American theatre history. Each entry includes a biographical overview, a summary of the critical reception of major productions and significant revivals, a critical assessment of the playwright's career, and a listing of archival, primary, and secondary bibliographic material.

Reviews

.,."this work has a dual purpose: to chronicle research already done and point out what needs to be done. The biographical overviews are clearly written, and the summaries of critical reception of plays, concise yet informative. Recommended for literature and drama collections and anywhere there is an interest in this period."- Q
.,."Demastes futher strenghtens the belief that from 1880 to 1945, U.S. theater underwent a native birth and development that is underscored by this wide variety of impressive playwrights. Novice students, theater enthusiasta, and seasoned scholars will find this an invaluable sourcebook for the study of all aspects of U.S. drama."-ARBA
...this work has a dual purpose: to chronicle research already done and point out what needs to be done. The biographical overviews are clearly written, and the summaries of critical reception of plays, concise yet informative. Recommended for literature and drama collections and anywhere there is an interest in this period.- Q
...Demastes futher strenghtens the belief that from 1880 to 1945, U.S. theater underwent a native birth and development that is underscored by this wide variety of impressive playwrights. Novice students, theater enthusiasta, and seasoned scholars will find this an invaluable sourcebook for the study of all aspects of U.S. drama.-ARBA
Jerry Dickey's research and production sourcebook completes the recent surge of Treadwell criticism and provides a solid basis for all future work on the Treadwell oeuvre. ...This is the most meticulously researched and documented bibliography on Treadwell available today. It is bound to become indespensible for Treadwell critics and scholars alike.-New England Theatre Journal
This work provides excellent bibliographical essays of 40 playwrights active during a generally neglected period in American theater. This scholarly overview opens avenues of study in a theatrical period not well known to many students of American theater. Highly recommended for academic collections, upper-division undergraduate level and above.-Choice
..."this work has a dual purpose: to chronicle research already done and point out what needs to be done. The biographical overviews are clearly written, and the summaries of critical reception of plays, concise yet informative. Recommended for literature and drama collections and anywhere there is an interest in this period."- Q
..."Demastes futher strenghtens the belief that from 1880 to 1945, U.S. theater underwent a native birth and development that is underscored by this wide variety of impressive playwrights. Novice students, theater enthusiasta, and seasoned scholars will find this an invaluable sourcebook for the study of all aspects of U.S. drama."-ARBA
"This work provides excellent bibliographical essays of 40 playwrights active during a generally neglected period in American theater. This scholarly overview opens avenues of study in a theatrical period not well known to many students of American theater. Highly recommended for academic collections, upper-division undergraduate level and above."-Choice
"Jerry Dickey's research and production sourcebook completes the recent surge of Treadwell criticism and provides a solid basis for all future work on the Treadwell oeuvre. ...This is the most meticulously researched and documented bibliography on Treadwell available today. It is bound to become indespensible for Treadwell critics and scholars alike."-New England Theatre Journal

Author Bio

WILLIAM W. DEMATES is Associate Professor of English at Louisiana State University. His many articles have appeared in Modern Drama, Comparative Drama, Theatre Journal, Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, New Theatre Quarterly, and Studies in American Drama, 1945-Present. His books include Clifford Odets: A Research and Production Sourcebook (1991), and Beyond Naturalism: A New Realism in the American Theatre (1989), both published by Greenwood Press.