The Theatregoer's Almanac: A Collection of Lists, People, History, and Commentary on the American Theatre

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Subtitled "A Collection of Lists, People, History, and Commentary on the American Theatre," this book takes such a simple idea--crunching theater trivia in almanac form--and carries it off with authority and flair. Most of the information is available elsewhere, but it would take a stack of books up to the ceiling to provide you with lists of "Departed Theatre Landmarks," "Colorful Broadway Characters," "[Famous] Songs Almost Lost [From Musicals]," "Unusual Theatre Terms" and such, reaching back as far as the early 18th century and coming forward as far as the Rent phenomenon. It's one of those cornucopia books that holds something new every time you crack it.


From Library Journal
Which musical won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1955? Which show spawned the most musical sequels? What was the longest ever off-Broadway run? If you find yourself pondering such questions, Hischak (theater, SUNY at Cortland) intends this bonanza of theater trivia for you. Most librarians, however, may view it as an enigma. Hischak provides a series of boringly written lists with little clue as to what they mean or to what possible use they might be put. Even as a quick reference this work is hampered by loose, rambling, sometimes downright odd organization and inadequate documentation. Only for comprehensive theater collections, though they probably already contain sources for the information found here.?Thomas E. Luddy, Salem State Coll., Mass.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
[D]eserves a place in any theater collection since it pulls together much information in a highly entertaining yet informative fashion.Choice


Book Description
As a concise study of the American theatre, this work explores the past and present by looking at major aspects of theatregoing in America over the past 250 years. Diverse topics include plays On and Off Broadway, ticket prices, critics, playwrights, awards, musicals, actors, theatre groups and organizations, and theatre publications. The Almanac is both a reference work and a very personal browsing book. It is lively and highly readable, yet scholarly with commentary, suggestions for further reading, and a thorough index. This work will be of interest to scholars, students, and theatregoers in general.


About the Author
THOMAS S. HISCHAK is Professor of Theatre at the State University of New York College at Cortland.


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Offers a compendium of information about American theater, exploring the past and present by examining many aspects of theater going in America over the past 250 years. The author (theater, SUNY at Cortland) has compiled the information in a personal and distinctive way, and is thorough about providing references for further reading. Topics include plays on and off Broadway, ticket prices, critics, playwrights, awards, musicals, actors, theater groups and organizations, and theater publications. Well-indexed. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.


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