the history of theatre theatre in america. a late start when europeans came to the new world, they...
TRANSCRIPT
A late start
• When Europeans came to the New World, they were slow to adapt theatre into the culture
• In the American colonies, theatre was either not practiced or outright banned.
• The first professional theatre in the US didn’t occur until 1767, with the opening of The American Company
First steps
• The first play presented in the United States was The Prince of Parthia, in Philadelphia
• The Contrast, performed in NYC in 1787, was the first comedy presented in the US.
• The Contrast presented the first theatrical depiction of an American character – Jonathan, a typical Yankee
• The first truly American comedy was Fashion, by Anna Cora Mowatt, in 1845
Theatrical families
• During the 19th century, entire families became involved in theatre in America
• The most important and well known families were the Drews, the Barrymores and the Booths.
The Drews
• John Drew came from Ireland in 1846
• Married Louise Drew and had three children
• The elder Drew died young, but his children continued the family legacy through the 19th century
• Daughter Georgiana married into the Barrymores
The Barrymores
• Maurice Barrymore was an Englishman who was born in India, but he and his family had great influence on the American theatre
• He and wife Georgiana had three children, John, Ethel, and Lionel
• John’s granddaughter is actress Drew Barrymore
The Booths
• The Booths were at one time considered America’s premier acting family
• They specialized in playing Shakespearian roles and often appeared in the same play together
• Junius Booth came from England in 1821, and he and his mistress had 10 children
• Edwin was considered the greatest American Shakespeare actor of his day
Theatre entertainment the way Grandma liked it
• In the 19th and early 20th centuries, theatres were in most significant towns in the US
• Vaudeville was a variety of acts, which included actors, singers, comics, etc.
• Melodramas were broadly acted, moralistic plays which centered around good vs. evil
• Burlesque was a more risque version of vaudeville
On Broadway
• Until the early 20th century, there was no real center for theatre in the United States
• In 1904, the first theatre on Broadway opened up, and an entire industry grew around it.
• Today Broadway is considered equal with London’s West End as a theatrical Mecca.
Awards for EVERYBODY!
• The Tony Awards are given out each year to the best Broadway and off-Broadway plays of the year
• First presented in 1947, the awards were named for Antoinette Perry (nicknamed Tony)
Levels and types of theatre in America
• Broadway
• Off-Broadway
• Regional
• Repertory
• Festivals
• Outdoor historical drama
• Educational theatre
Important names from the 20th century
• George M. Cohan
• Irving Berlin
• Eugene O’Neill
• Paul Robeson
• Arthur Miller
• Thornton Wilder
• Lorraine Hansberry
•Neil Simon•David Mamet•August Wilson•Sam Shepard•Stephen Sondheim
Little quiz at the end
• When did the first professional theatre in the US occur?
• What was the name of the first American comedy?
• Name the three important acting faimilies of the 20th century
• Who was the first successful African American actor?