Joseph Jefferson: Dean of the American Theatre FROM THE PUBLISHER
Joseph Jefferson: Dean of the American Theatre is the first in-depth biography of Joseph Jefferson (1829-1905), one of the foremost of an old and distinguished family of English and American actors.
Jefferson was one of the most beloved actors in America and probably the most successful. His career spans the growth of the theatre from resident stock companies featuring touring stars to "combination" companies (what we would call road shows). Jefferson played in virtually every American city, and although he proved himself a skilled actor in more than a hundred roles, he was particularly famous for his characterization of Rip Van Winkle. A painter of merit and member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, he succeeded Edwin Booth as president of the Players' Club in 1893, and hence was the acknowledged head of American actors. Having been on the stage for seventy-one years, Jefferson died on Shakespeare's birthday.
In this book Arthur Bloom not only captures the tumultuous life of one of the great American actors, but also the customs and times of the American theatre during its infancy.
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
Having been an academic administrator in visual and performing arts at several prestigious US institutions, Bloom here offers a full-length biography of one of the foremost of a long-standing and distinguished family of English and American actors. He follows Jefferson (1829-1905) from his childhood in an artistic family through his career from resident stock companies featuring touring stars to what today are called road shows. Jefferson is best known for his role as Rip Van Winkle. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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