The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage, 1930-1940

The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage, 1930-1940 is a comprehensive reference volume documenting theatrical productions in New York City during the Depression era. The book covers Broadway, Off-Broadway, and other significant theatrical venues during this pivotal decade. The encyclopedia presents detailed entries for over 2,500 productions, including plays, musicals, revues, and other stage performances. Each entry contains information about cast members, creative teams, run dates, venues, plot summaries, and contemporary critical responses. Statistical data and cross-referencing systems help readers track trends, performers' careers, and the evolution of theatrical companies throughout the decade. Production photographs, promotional materials, and period documentation supplement the entries. This volume serves as both a historical record and an analytical tool for understanding how American theater responded to social and economic upheaval during the 1930s. The encyclopedia reveals patterns in programming choices and artistic approaches that reflected the era's cultural transformation.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Samuel L. Leiter's overall work: Readers describe Leiter's works as thorough reference materials for theater research and documentation. Academic reviewers highlight his detailed chronological records and production data in the New York Stage series. Readers appreciate: - Comprehensive coverage of Japanese theater traditions - Precise documentation of cast lists and production details - Clear explanations of complex theatrical concepts - Extensive bibliographies and source citations Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be dry - High prices of reference volumes limit accessibility - Some dated cultural perspectives in earlier works - Limited coverage of smaller/experimental productions Amazon ratings average 4.2/5 stars across his books, with highest marks for "Historical Dictionary of Japanese Theatre" (4.6/5). Goodreads shows similar patterns, though with fewer total reviews. Library Journal and Choice reviews consistently note the reference value while acknowledging the specialized academic audience. One theater historian called his New York Stage documentation "invaluable but intimidating in scope." A kabuki researcher praised the "meticulous attention to historical accuracy."

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🎭 The encyclopedia documents over 3,500 productions that appeared on Broadway and off-Broadway during the Great Depression era 📚 Author Samuel L. Leiter spent over 15 years researching and compiling the information, reviewing thousands of contemporary sources including newspapers, magazines, and theater archives 🎬 Each entry includes detailed cast lists, plot summaries, production credits, opening and closing dates, and contemporary critical reactions 🌟 The 1930s saw the emergence of groundbreaking theater groups like the Group Theatre and the Federal Theatre Project, both of which are extensively covered in the encyclopedia 🎪 The book captures a pivotal decade when Broadway faced intense competition from talking pictures, leading to innovations in staging, writing, and marketing that shaped modern American theater