The latest title in the Norton/Library of Congress Visual Sourcebooks series, Theaters offers a richly illustrated history of a revered cultural artifact and a technological challenge, following its progression from the eighteenth-century opera house to the modern movie multiplex.
This visual sourcebook traces the development of its colorful and varied forms as they developed in early America, on the western frontier, and in cities from coast to coast. The first comprehensive study of American theaters, it illustrates their wide range from raucous music halls to vaudeville, from circus to grand opera, from World's Fair to Coney island, from nickelodeon to glorious picture palace. Also featured are theaters for burlesque, theaters afloat, military theaters, Shakespearean theaters, summer theaters, theaters and African-Americans, and arenas (when a stage just won't do), enlivened by a cast of entrepreneurs and showmen who were the movers and shakers of our theatrical heritage. 1200 b/w illustrations
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“It is spectacular! I have no doubt that it will be the standard reference book on this subject.” (Richard J. Sklenar, Executive Director, Theatre Historical Society of America, Inc. )
“Featuring over 1,200 illustrations and the expertise of architect and historian Craig Morrison, Theaters belongs on your coffee table.” (Patriot News )
“[A] sweeping look at its subject.” (Keith Runyon - Louisville Courier-Journal )
“[A] richly illustrated history of a beloved cultural building type.” (Sources & Design )
“[B]reathtaking in scope...Insightful and readable…a splendid book.” (Peter Wentworth - Charleston Post & Courier )
“Theaters, itself, should be listed on the National Historic Register in recognition of the service it provides urban historians and modelers!” (Roger C. Parker - O-Scale Trains Magazine )
“[A] comprehensive, fascinating survey of the changing history and styles of theaters from early playhouses to modern movie houses…[A] powerful visual reference recommended for any serious theater enthusiast.” (California Bookwatch )
“[N]o more thorough visual documentation of American theaters has ever been attempted.” (Francis Morrone - Wall Street Journal )
“[S]plendidly illustrated… comprehensive… monumental work.” (Playbill )
“[T]he ultimate picture book for anyone interested in historic American theatre buildings…[A] remarkable and engrossing collection of images…” (Peter Longman - Theatres Magazine )
“[I]mpressive. . . . [T]he real value of this volume is the breadth of its visual scope...” (Steve Tompkins - RIBA Journal )
“[A]n astonishing book…More thoroughly illustrated than any previous work on the subject… [T]he book supplements each illustration with essential facts…” (Hugh Hardy - Urban Design Review )
“Rising to the top is Theaters… [A] beautifully illustrated history of American performance venues in all their colorful and varied forms” (Stephanie Peithman - Stage Directions Magazine )
“Featuring over 1,200 illustrations and the expertise of architect and historian Craig Morrison, Theaters belongs on your coffee table.” (Patriot News )
“[A] sweeping look at its subject.” (Keith Runyon - Louisville Courier-Journal )
“[A] richly illustrated history of a beloved cultural building type.” (Sources & Design )
“[B]reathtaking in scope...Insightful and readable…a splendid book.” (Peter Wentworth - Charleston Post & Courier )
“Theaters, itself, should be listed on the National Historic Register in recognition of the service it provides urban historians and modelers!” (Roger C. Parker - O-Scale Trains Magazine )
“[A] comprehensive, fascinating survey of the changing history and styles of theaters from early playhouses to modern movie houses…[A] powerful visual reference recommended for any serious theater enthusiast.” (California Bookwatch )
“[N]o more thorough visual documentation of American theaters has ever been attempted.” (Francis Morrone - Wall Street Journal )
“[S]plendidly illustrated… comprehensive… monumental work.” (Playbill )
“[T]he ultimate picture book for anyone interested in historic American theatre buildings…[A] remarkable and engrossing collection of images…” (Peter Longman - Theatres Magazine )
“[I]mpressive. . . . [T]he real value of this volume is the breadth of its visual scope...” (Steve Tompkins - RIBA Journal )
“[A]n astonishing book…More thoroughly illustrated than any previous work on the subject… [T]he book supplements each illustration with essential facts…” (Hugh Hardy - Urban Design Review )
“Rising to the top is Theaters… [A] beautifully illustrated history of American performance venues in all their colorful and varied forms” (Stephanie Peithman - Stage Directions Magazine )
About the Author
Craig Morrison, an architect and theater historian, lives in New York City.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing catalog of visual history,
By
This review is from: Theaters (A Norton/Library of Congress Visual Sourcebook) (Hardcover)
I used to be a Home Theater installer, and now that I'm getting to the point in my life where I can start putting my own home theater together, I wanted to be able to develop a plan that reflected the long history of theaters in this country, and adopt many unique architectural features found only in classic theaters. I have searched for months to find a book that could show a broad variety of theaters with enough visual detail to get ideas for my own. I had tried Melnick/Fuchs' "Cinema Treasures", Morrison's "Broadway Theaters", Valentine's "The Show Starts At The Sidewalk", Berger's "The Last Remaining Seats", and Jones' "The Southern Movie Palace" - all excellent books if you are looking for history of theaters. However, they all seemed to be short on the images, which is mostly what I was after (with the exception of Berger's and Melnick/Fuchs' books which I felt had great pictures, just not enough of them...).When I opened this book, I was pleased to find a CD included many of the images and plan drawings in large format available for me to view! While this book doesn't go into the theater's detail and history as well as the other books in my view, as a visual reference, it is invaluable. I would liken this book to a fine still-life photography expo.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The changing faces and styles of theatres, old to modern,
By D. Donovan, Editor/Sr. Reviewer "California B... (California, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Theaters (A Norton/Library of Congress Visual Sourcebook) (Hardcover)
It'd be a shame to limit THEATRES' attraction to architects alone; any with an interest in the stage and theater productions will find this a comprehensive, fascinating survey of the changing history and styles of theaters from early playhouses to modern movie houses. It's the first comprehensive study of American theaters and uses holdings from the Library of Congress to profile a range of styles and settings across the U.S. Blend these archival photos with architectural plans and drawings by artists and you have a powerful visual reference recommended for any serious theater enthusiast.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Orpheum Theatre Book,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Theaters (A Norton/Library of Congress Visual Sourcebook) (Hardcover)
This is one of the finest black and white picture books on early motion picture and opera houses from around the country.It is more of a coffee table picture book, but for a researcher, like myself, the book is more in depth than most. The picture of the Sioux City Orpheum Theater is the initial theater, but the present day Orpheum, is the third to be build on Pierce Street. So it could confuse some individuals. I don't know how many other issues are confusing? But the theater book overall, is excellent and professionaly done. Great to have in your library!!!! lb
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Theaters are special places. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
unidentified theater, fied photographer, interiors coordinator, parquet circle, organ grilles, stage apron, theater design, street presence Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Opened September, Opened December, New Jersey, Opened November, Opened March, Opened August, Coney Island, Opened April, Washington Street, Academy of Music, Opened January, Russell Lee, Howard Crane, Grand Opera House, Opened June, Capitol Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Broad Street, Tremont Street, Luna Park, Civil War, East State Street, Hollis Street, Ohio Theatre New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Theaters are special places. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
unidentified theater, fied photographer, interiors coordinator, parquet circle, organ grilles, stage apron, theater design, street presence Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Opened September, Opened December, New Jersey, Opened November, Opened March, Opened August, Coney Island, Opened April, Washington Street, Academy of Music, Opened January, Russell Lee, Howard Crane, Grand Opera House, Opened June, Capitol Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Broad Street, Tremont Street, Luna Park, Civil War, East State Street, Hollis Street, Ohio Theatre New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 21
books:
See all 21 books this book cites
- The Encyclopedia of New York City by Kenneth T. Jackson on page 295
- From Peepshow to Palace by David Robinson on page 23
- The Birth of a Nation: D. W. Griffith, director (Rutgers Films in Print) by Robert Lang on page 24
- Ten Nights in a Bar Room by T. S. Arthur on page 317
- Mother Goose by Verne Morgan on page 148
See all 21 books this book cites
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