In this book Professor Berkowitz studies the diversity of American drama from the stylistic, experimental plays of O'Neill, through verse, tragedy and community theatre, to the theatre of the 1990s. The discussions range through dramatists, plays, genres and themes, with full supporting appendix material. It also examines major dramatists such as Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, Sam Shephard, Tennessee Williams and August Wilson and covers not only the Broadway scene but also off Broadway movements and fringe theatres and such subjects as women's and African-American drama.

Excerpt from The American Drama Since 1918: An Informal History The purpose of this book is to offer both a connected account and some critical evaluation of playwriting in America since the World War. It is by no means a complete record of theatrical production. Such a record for most of the period covered may be found in Mr. Burns Mantle's annual volumes. It does not always mention all the plays written by even highly successful or important authors. In certain cases the plays seem to me to have little or no significance. On the other hand the intention is to provide what the subtitle promises - an informal history - rather than an essay on this or that aspect of the contem porary American drama. A great many plays are discussed and the attempt is made to provide a con tinuous account of the course of playvvriting in the United States during the two decades ending with the present. I cannot, of course, hope that anyone will be entirely satisfied with either my inclusions or my omissions. For the task which I have undertaken. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

An introduction to American drama, aimed at students, academics and serious readers, which is also concerned that the unfamiliar names and forgotten voices of those who made a major contribution to its history, have been unfairly neglected.