Black examines the roles a remarkable group of women played in one of the most influential theatre groups in America; demonstrating their influence on 20th-century dramaturgy and culture.Perhaps most notable for its discovery of two significant American playwrights--Eugene ONeill and Susan Glaspell--and for its role in developing an American tradition of non-commercial theatre; the Provincetown Players collective has long been appreciated for its meaningful contributions to American drama. An outgrowth of the Greenwich Village community of politically minded artists and intellectuals; the group became convinced that theatre was essential to Americas spiritual and social regeneration. The company ultimately produced nearly 100 plays by more than 50 American writers.In this thoroughly engaging work; Cheryl Black argues that Provincetown has another; largely unacknowledged claim to fame: it was one of the first theatre companies in America in which women achieved prominence in every area of operation. At a time when women playwrights were rare; women directors rarer; and women scenic designers unheard of; Provincetowns female members excelled in all these functions; making significant contributions to the development of modern American drama and theatre. In addition to playwright Glaspell; the companys female membership included the likes of poets Edna St. Vincent Millay; Mina Loy; and Djuna Barnes; journalists Louise Bryant and Mary Heaton Vorce; novelists Neith Boyce and Evelyn Scott; and painter Marguerite Zorach.A solidly researched and engagingly written piece of social history; this book offers new insight into the relationship between gender and theatre and will attract a broad readership; including students and scholars of theatre; womens studies; feminism; and American Studies; and members of the general public interested in any of these issues.
2015-03-30 2015-03-30File Name: B00VF96NWE
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Awesome Play!!!By Len Evans Jr.Picking up tis play to read I knew absolutley nothing about it other than having heard its name. I have to say I am glad I took a chance on the unknown because this play was truly a pleasure to read. Once I got used to the English used in it reading it became almost melodic in my head. There is no doubt Shakespeare knew how to make words dance. This play almost feels like it should be two separate plays since they are so very different in feel. The first half a tragedy and the sequel a romance. I feel like Shakespeare wrote this play as sort of an homage to the Greek classics. if that was his intent; then I have to say he succeeded very well indeed. I loved that even with all the flowery language (multiple times requiring me to look up words) he quickly managed to start the film projector in my head I was seeing the action happening in my head. Truly a classic and I am so thrilled that my first foray into Shakespeare unknown to me was such a resounding success!!7 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Shakespeares Matriarchal FantasyBy Chosroes III"The Winters Tale" marks Shakespeares entrance into a prescient world of High Romantic ideals; where the stagnancy of a courtly world dominated by emotionally afflicted males is subverted by a vernal world of female power. Leontes; King of Sicilia; is one of Shakespeares most convincingly self-tortured characters; while Hermione is an icon of long-suffering patience; incarnated in the famous statue of the plays conclusion. Her daugher Perdita is the subject of potentially blasphemous adoration; not only for her suitor Florizel but for the entire world; she glows in the suggested light of pagan mystery cult; the Eleusinian mysteries of mothers and daughters in secret collusion with nature and against the withering forces of jealousy and death. In this light; the critical essay included with this edition is sadly tone-deaf to Shakespeares potent poetic raptures in this play; hearkening instead to a dogmatic; albeit at least clearly presented; rehearsal of Renaissance attitudes about "patriarchy" which deadens Hermione and her faithful advocate Paulina into mere totems for self-exculpating males of the sort whom Shakespear embodies; with withering criticism; in Leontes and the judgmental Polixenes.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. reading Shakespeare is kind of like trying to work through a slightly familiar written foreign ...By notmybagsFor me; reading Shakespeare is kind of like trying to work through a slightly familiar written foreign language. These Folger books are helpful because they explain difficult phrases and unusual words on the page facing the confusions as they occur. They also tell you about the storyline and emphasize the important points; which are so easy to miss while trying to plug through the old English. Having read four of the Folger paperbacks and then attending the plays; I am just now starting to get fluent enough to enjoy the books and the language without constant referral to the notes. I dont know how else I would have been able to stick with ol William without Folger as a tour guide.
