Theater (Great Lives) - Hardcover

Weitzman, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689805799 ISBN 13: 9780689805790

Publisher: Atheneum, 1996

Offers a profile of twenty-seven of the greatest figures in theater, discussing the lives and accomplishments of such artists as Henrik Ibsen, Sarah Bernhardt, Laurence Olivier, Paul Robeson, and Helen Hayes, accompanied by a helpful bibliography, index, and photographs.

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From Kirkus Reviews:

This volume in the Great Lives series effectively straddles the fence between trade book and textbook with its two-column pages as well as its length and scope. The lives of 27 actors, playwrights, and other figures in theater (mostly men, mostly dead) are treated at length, with the emphasis often on the early years of those included: Anton Chekhov, Sarah Bernhardt, Amiri Baraka (he, Luis Miguel Valdez, and Jean- Louis Barrault are the only living subjects), P.T. Barnum, Sean O'Casey, and Helen Hayes represent several hundred years of theater. The choices are mystifying (skip the Greeks, for Shakespeare and MoliŠre are as far back as this reaches; forget Japanese theater and other non-Western traditions), but that may be less important than what Weitzman has achieved. Readers are introduced to passionate, determined souls who each gained great recognition, though not always health, wealth, or happiness. The author places the innovation or success of the artist or showman in the context of the times and with the perspective of external influences. His style is clear and uncondescending, resulting in a browsable book that dispenses example after example of what happens when unique individuals follow their hearts. (b&w photos, further reading) (Nonfiction. 10-14) -- Copyright �1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7 Up-Who comes to mind when you think of great lives of the theater? Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, Shakespeare, Helen Hayes, Laurence Olivier, Sarah Bernhardt? Whether readers prefer the playwrights or the actors, they are both represented in this far-reaching title, as are many others, such as Ibsen, Moliere, O'Neill, Shaw, Edwin Booth, Ethel Barrymore, Lorraine Hansberry, and Paul Robeson. From classical dramatists to 20th-century actors, this volume includes a varied cross-section of 26 theater greats. Each life is portrayed in vivid, engaging prose, punctuated frequently with quotes from personal writings, works, and other sources. Black-and-white photographs and drawings accompany each biography. This book will make informative and entertaining reading for anyone interested in the history of the theater, but will probably be used primarily as a resource for information on particular personalities. The extensive list of further readings will also help in this regard. However, anyone searching for contemporary names will have to look elsewhere; only three of the individuals included are still living.
Marilyn Makowski, Greenwood High School, SC
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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