Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts #11: Historical Dictionary of German Theater

More than mere entertainment, German theater was a crucial component of culture often influencing society and politics in German-speaking countries whose influence gradually reached much further with the emergence of outstanding playwrights like Goethe, Schiller, Hauptmann, and Brecht, as well as exceptional dramas such as Faust and The Threepenny Opera. The Historical Dictionary of German Theater covers the field of theater performance in the German language, concentrating on German-speaking Europe, through a chronology, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant playwrights, directors, producers, designers, actors, plays, theaters, cities, dramatic genres, and movements such as the Sturm und Drang, Naturalism, and Expressionism.

Arranged alphabetically, this reference contains hundreds of entries on significant playwrights, directors, actors, plays, places, and styles relating to German-language theater. A sampling of topics includes actor/director Friedrich Kayssler; Sturm und Drang (both the cultural movement and the play by that name); actress Barbara Sukowa; and the Wilhelmine period. Grange (theater and film, U. of Nebraska, Lincoln) provides an overview of German theater's development from the 14th century to the present in the introduction. Also included are a chronology and extensive bibliography. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)