Broadway Theatre (Theatre Production Studies) - Softcover

Harris, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 041510520X ISBN 13: 9780415105200

Publisher: Routledge, 1994

Synopsis

'Broadway' has been the stuff of theatrical legends for generations. In this fascinating and affectionate account of a unique theatrical phenomenon, Andrew Harris takes an intriguing look at both the reality and the myth behind the heart and soul of American Drama
Broadway Theatre explores:
* the aims and achievements of such major figures as Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill and David Mamet
* the processes a play goes through from preliminary draft to opening night
* the careful balancing between aesthetic ideals and commercial considerations
* the place of producers, reviewers, agents and managers and their contribution to the process
* the relationship between acting styles and writing syles for Broadway plays

About this title

From the Author

Insightful, entertaining, provocative: Award winner.
For a century, Broadway has been a mecca for artists who want to test their mettle against critics and audiences expecting nothing less than the best. What I set out to do was to dissect the process behind six block buster plays, one per decade. This is a succinct, no-nonsense approach on a range of topics: changing trends, taste, the emergence of Off-B'way & regionals, the impact of commercialism, much more from my background as a producer-director-playwright having chaired 3 Theatre Depts. Well received by critics, "BT" won the first Broadway Theater Institute Excellence in Education Award. Cudos in "Publishers Weekly," "Backstage," Fireside Selection. Endorsements from Bernard Jacobs, Pres. Shubert Org., Mike Ockrent "indispensable," Joan Jeffri "most enjoyable read." My aim was to write a book that students (just folks) would want to read and that would try to make sense of Broadway. Depth studies of Albee, Mamet, Miller, Williams, Simon, Kaufman & Hart, Odets/Group Theatre, thumbnail sketch of NY theatre from colonial times to 20's, also chapter on 90's: Wasserstein, Schenkkan, & Kushner. Actors and directors love the book, because it explains why & how script changes came about. I had a lot of fun writing this book. Currently, writing with Bill Eckart: "On and Off Broadway, the Theatrical Designs of Wm. and Jean Eckart" - "The Lunts of stage design," B'way's most successful husband & wife design team. A big beautiful book, lots on musicals, be out in 1999. SMU Press.

Synopsis

"Broadway" has been the stuff of theatrical legends for generations. In this fascinating and affectionate account of a unique theatrical phenomenon, Andrew Harris takes a look at both the reality and the myth behind the heart and soul of American drama. This text explores: the aims and achievements of major figures such as Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill and David Mamet; the processes a play goes through from preliminary draft to opening night; the careful balancing between aesthetic ideals and commercial considerations; the place of producers, reviewers, agents and managers and their contribution to the process, and the relationship between acting styles and writing styles for Broadway plays.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 041510520X
• ISBN 13: 9780415105200
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208