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Title: A Reader's Guide to Modern American Drama (Reader's Guide Series (Syracuse, N.Y.).) by Sanford V. Sternlicht ISBN: 0-8156-2939-7 Publisher: Syracuse University Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (1 review)

Rating: 5
Summary: A current well-written guide to Modern American playwrights
Comment: Author Sternlicht has provided a concise yet thorough guide to the ever-changing story of modern American drama. Included is an overview of American theatre, stretching back to the nineteenth century, and reviewing trends and influences to the present time (2001). This is quite helpful as a basis for more thorough appreciation of the 78 playwrights discussed in the book.

Sternlicht has divided the eras of modern American drama into the early 20th century -- covering such playwrights as Eugene O'Neill, Maxwell Anderson, S.N. Behrman, Lillian Hellman, Clifford Odets, William Saroyan, and more; the World War II generation of playwrights, led by the great Tennessee Williams and including segments on William Inge, Garson Kanin, Arthur Miller, Carson McCullers, Ossie Davis, James Baldwin, Paddy Chayefsky, Neil Simon, and more; Post-World War II playwrights Edward Albee, Lorraine Hansberry, Jack Gelber, Imamu Amiri Baraka, Lanford Wilson, Terence McNally, Sam Shepard, and others; and the New Dramatists (also post-World War II, but with a different weltanschaung): August Wilson, Albert Innaurato, David Mamet, Marsha Norman, Harvey Fierstein, Wendy Wasserman, Suzan-Lori Parks, Migeul Pi~nero, and more.

Within each section is an overview of the historical/cultural influence of the times in which the playwrights lived and worked.
This background is quite helpful for understanding the playwrights' works; all of the major plays of each author are discussed. Short plot outlines for each play are provided, as well as a short critical analysis. This is true even for the lesser-known playwrights, who are not given short shrift, even if only one of their works has been a success on the stage. Audience and critical reaction to each play are touched on as well.

All in all, this is a very thorough guide; it would be particularly useful in college and high school libraries and drama/lit. classes, and could also serve as a reference for young adult students.
Sternlicht has included some lesser-known as well as some very recent playwrights who may not be covered as thoroughly (when at all) in other publications of this type. In addition, this new (2002) book is recent enough to include gay and lesbian drama and well as feminist drama.

The book is very readable in its own right. Sternlicht has a direct and concise style which never rambles. There's nothing superfluous or padded in it; it is pure information presented in a well-organized manner, and the treatments of the playwrights are sympathetic overall.

A selected critical biography and very good index round out the book.

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Title: Modern American Drama, 1945-2000 by C. W. E. Bigsby ISBN: 0521794102 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 21 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $30.00