The Cambridge History of American Theatre: Volume 3, Post-World War II to the 1990s

This is an authoritative and wide-ranging history of American theatre in all its dimensions, from theatre building to playwriting, directors, performers, and designers. Engaging the theatre as a performance art, a cultural institution, and a fact of American social and political life, the history addresses the economic context that conditioned the drama presented. The history approaches its subject with a full awareness of relevant developments in literary criticism, cultural analysis, and performance theory. At the same time, it is designed to be an accessible, challenging narrative. All volumes include an extensive overview and timeline, followed by chapters on specific aspects of theatre. Volume Three examines the development of the theatre after World War II, through the productions of Broadway and beyond and into regional theatre across the country. Contributors also analyze new directions in theatre design, directing, and acting, as well as key plays and playwrights through the 1990s.

• Major, three-volume, examination of the American theatre • Written by a team of leading scholars in the field • Contains valuable reference tools, including informative illustrations, timeline, bibliographies

Introduction Christopher Bigsby; Timeline: post-World War II to 1998 Don B. Wilmeth and Jonathan Curley; 1. American theatre in context: 1945- present Arnold Aronson; 2. A changing theatre: Broadway to the regions Broadway Laurence Maslon; Off- and off-off Broadway Mel Gussow; Regional/resident theatre Martha Lomonaco; Alternative theatre Marvin Carlson; 3. The plays and playwrights: plays and playwrights: 1945-1970 June Schlueter; Plays and playwrights since 1970 Matthew Roudane; 4. Musical theatre since World War II John Degen; 5. Directors and direction Samuel L. Leiter; 6. Actors and acting Foster Hirsch; 7. American theatre design since 1945 Ronn Smith.

‘Nowhere has the American theatre been treated to such a thorough discussion of its culture, plays and players, directors, designers, architects and producers, also encompassing the development and transformation of the theatre within the country’s changing social and political climate.’ Michael Whitlatch, Journal of Theatre Research International

‘All three volumes have greatly contributed to a better understanding of the American theatre as a reflection of the changing political, social and cultural face of the United States.’ Michael Whitlatch, Journal of Theatre Research International

‘Wilmeth and Bigsby’s history is the finest written about the American theatre in many years. A must for all college and university libraries.’ Choice