This stunning contribution to the field of theatre history is the first in-depth look at avant-garde theatre in the United States from the early 1950s to the 1990s. American Avant-Garde Theatre offers a definition of the avant-garde; and looks at its origins and theoretical foundations by examining: *Gertrude Stein *John Cage *The Beat writers *Avant-garde cinema *Abstract Expressionism *Minimalism There are fascinating discussions and illustrations of the productions of the Living Theatre; the Wooster Group; Open Theatre; Ontological-Hysteric Theatre and Performance Group. among many others. Aronson also examines why avant-garde theatre declined and virtually disappeared at the end of the twentieth century.
#551291 in eBooks 2013-10-01 2013-10-01File Name: B00HKVG2Z4
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great Old PicturesBy SailormanAs a kid growing up in southeastern Ohio as the offspring of generations of potters; coal miners and steel workers from the area; East Liverpool was where we went when we went to the ldquo;Cityrdquo;. With all the Ohio River Valley potteries in full production; Homer Laughlin China; Harkerrsquo;s China; Hall China; Taylor; Smith and Taylor; etc.; and the steel mills; Crucible Steel; the Midland Mills; Weirton Steel etc.; East Liverpool was where you went to buy things; go to the movies; go to restaurants; and spend your money. My mother took me there one time as a kid to go to a little store and buy me a Hoody Doody puppet. I was in awe of the big stores; the big post office; and crossing the Ohio River on the Newel Bridge with its wood plank deck. East Liverpool had one of the only AM radio stations you could get a good signal from where I lived; the others being Youngstown and Pittsburgh. No TV in those days.East Liverpool had a high school football team that put fear in the hearts of the kids from Lisbon; Leetonia; Columbiana; East Palestine; etc.Thatrsquo;s all gone now; the steel mills are closed; the only pottery left operating is Homer Laughlin China; thanks to Fiestaware; the big East Liverpool businesses have closed; stores are boarded up; the Travelerrsquo;s hotel and itrsquo;s fine restaurant are long gone; downtown buildings are dilapidated; the downtown is dead or on its death bed; and all those industrial jobs are gone. Those who stayed are either living in poverty; on welfare; or just scraping by.Books like this one; with its old pictures are the only thing we have left of these wonderful times; short of our memories which die with us; but this book; others like it; and their pictures will live on. Our grandchildren and great-grandchildren cannot possibly comprehend the way things were in those days; and how good things were when WWII ended; but at least they have these pictures to get an idea of how good these times were; and how we have let those times; and all those jobs; be destroyed by ldquo;progressrdquo;; regulations; laws and excessive taxes.If you are from East Liverpool; or somewhere in southeastern Ohio near East Liverpool you need to buy this book. You need to buy it; read it; and let your children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; etc. read it. You wonrsquo;t be sorry.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wonderfuland well organized.By Cindy J. McmanusThis is so well written and organized. Since I havent lived in East Liverpool since 1966; I really enjoyed the memories this book gives me. Thank you Cathy Hester Sickman!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Our Pottery CityBy Anita BrownI am a life long resident of East Liverpool and this book is a treasure. So much history and great pictures.
