The O'Neill
The Transformation of Modern American Theater
Published on 27. May 2014
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-0-300-19557-6 (ISBN)
Description
A lavishly illustrated celebration of the history of the most influential theatrical organization in America, the O'Neill Theater Center
"At the O'Neill, we were all engaged with full-hearted passion in sometimes the silliest of exercises, and all in service of finding that wiggly, elusive creature, a new play."-Meryl Streep
As the old ways of the commercial theater were dying and American playwriting was in crisis, the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center arose as a midwife to new plays and musicals, introducing some of the most exciting talents of our time (including August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, and Christopher Durang) and developing works that went on to win Pulitzer Prizes and Tony Awards. Along the way, it collaborated with then-unknown performers (such as Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Courtney Vance, and Angela Bassett) and inspired Robert Redford in his creation of the Sundance Institute. This is the story of a theatrical laboratory, a place that transformed American theater, film, and television.
"At the O'Neill, we were all engaged with full-hearted passion in sometimes the silliest of exercises, and all in service of finding that wiggly, elusive creature, a new play."-Meryl Streep
As the old ways of the commercial theater were dying and American playwriting was in crisis, the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center arose as a midwife to new plays and musicals, introducing some of the most exciting talents of our time (including August Wilson, Wendy Wasserstein, and Christopher Durang) and developing works that went on to win Pulitzer Prizes and Tony Awards. Along the way, it collaborated with then-unknown performers (such as Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Courtney Vance, and Angela Bassett) and inspired Robert Redford in his creation of the Sundance Institute. This is the story of a theatrical laboratory, a place that transformed American theater, film, and television.
Reviews / Votes
"A wonderful, over-sized book ... that cmombines archival photos with excellent text."-Joe Meyers, The Connecticut Post -- Joe Meyers The Connecticut Post "The O'Neill is famous among show folk, but [The O'Neill] will give civilian theater buffs a chance to share the 'O'Neill experience' vicariously."-Ethan Mordden, The Wall Street Journal -- Ethan Mordden The Wall Street Journal "This handsome tribute to the venerable Eugene O'Neill Theater Center combines Jeffrey Sweet's knowledgeable text with a marvelous array of black-and-white photographs."-The Washington Post The Washington Post "Accompanied by fascinating archival photographs, this sweeping history of the country's foremost new play laboratory is as striking as it is informative. Theatre buffs will marvel at the effect the O'Neill has had on American culture-launching everyone from August Wilson to Meryl Streep-and the unlikely stories that led to its creation."-TDF Stages magazine TDF Stages magazineMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
250 b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
1497 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-19557-6 (9780300195576)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Jeffrey Sweet is an award-winning playwright and theater historian whose previous books include Something Wonderful Right Away, a history of the famed Second City improvisational theater. He serves on the Council of the Dramatists Guild and is one of the most active participants in the Chicago theater renaissance.