Greek Tragedy on the American Stage: Ancient Drama in the Commercial Theater, 1882-1994 (Contributions in Drama and Theatre Studies) [Hardcover]

Karelisa V. Hartigan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313292833 | ISBN-13: 978-0313292835 | Publication Date: May 30, 1995

During the past century, the interpretation given by the various directors staging Greek drama has varied, and the critical reception accorded the productions has also altered. While the texts of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides remain constant, the meanings drawn from their plays do not. The director who decides to offer a Greek tragedy in the modern American commercial theater believes in the ability of the text to reach the contemporary audience, and the reviewers assess the success of the venture: their words become a record of both a particular performance and the time in which it played. Hartigan explores how drama and society interact and witnesses the continued vitality of the Greek tragedy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Lucidly written and handsomely produced, this book will appeal to all readers interested in interpretation of classical drama and in the theater as a mirror of social and intellectual history.”–Choice

“Karelisa Hartigan should be commended for researching a significant aspect of American theatre history that hitherto has received little scholarly attention, the production of Greek tragedy...a useful work which brings to light a great deal of recondite data...deserves priase for its pionering attempt at conceptualizing an important sub-field within American theatre history.”–Essays in Theatre/Etudes theeatrales

From the Publisher

Lucidly written and handsomely produced, this book will appeal to all readers interested in interpretation of classical drama and in the theater as a mirror of social and intellectual history.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (May 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313292833
• ISBN-13: 978-0313292835
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,217,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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