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The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway: 1919-1959

Lee Simmons

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Published in All That Glittered: The Golden Age Of Drama On Broadway 1919 1959

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The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway was a period of unprecedented creativity and innovation in American theater. During this time, some of the world's greatest playwrights, actors, and directors came together to create a body of work that is still celebrated today.

All That Glittered: The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway, 1919-1959

by Ethan Mordden

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	779 KB
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Print length	:	421 pages
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The Golden Age began in the aftermath of World War I, when a new generation of playwrights emerged who were determined to break away from the traditional conventions of theater. These playwrights, including Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller, explored new themes and styles, and their work helped to create a more realistic and challenging theater experience.

The Golden Age also saw the rise of a new generation of actors, including Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor. These actors brought a new level of realism and intensity to their performances, and they helped to create some of the most iconic moments in Broadway history.

Finally, the Golden Age was also a time of great innovation in directing. Directors such as Elia Kazan and Joshua Logan experimented with new staging techniques and helped to create a more visually dynamic theater experience.

The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway came to an end in the late 1950s, but its legacy continues to inspire theater artists today. The plays, performances, and innovations of this period helped to shape the course of American theater, and they continue to be celebrated as some of the greatest achievements in the history of the stage.

Some of the most famous plays of the Golden Age

Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night
Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire
Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
William Inge's Picnic
Paddy Chayefsky's The Middle of the Night
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun
Jack Gelber's The Connection
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Some of the most famous actors of the Golden Age

Marlon Brando
James Dean
Elizabeth Taylor
Katharine Hepburn
Laurence Olivier
Alec Guinness
Judy Garland
Ethel Merman
Julie Andrews

Some of the most famous directors of the Golden Age

Elia Kazan
Joshua Logan
George Abbott
Mike Nichols
Arthur Penn
John Gielgud
Peter Brook

The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway was a truly remarkable period in the history of American theater. The plays, performances, and innovations of this period helped to shape the course of American theater, and they continue to be celebrated as some of the greatest achievements in the history of the stage.

All That Glittered: The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway, 1919-1959

by Ethan Mordden

4.4 out of 5