Modern American Drama, 1945–2000

Abstract

In this new edition of the widely-acclaimed Modern American Drama, Christopher Bigsby completes his survey of postwar and contemporary theatre and brings the reader up to 2000. While retaining the key elements of the first edition, including surveys of those major figures who have shaped postwar American drama, such as Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee, David Mamet, and Sam Shepard, Bigsby also explores the most recent works and performances: these include plays by established dramatists such as Miller's The Ride down Mount Morgan and Albee's Three Tall Women, as well as works by relatively new playwrights Paula Vogel, Tony Kushner, and Terrence McNally among others. Bigsby also provides a new chapter, 'Beyond Broadway' and offers an analysis of how theatre has formed and influenced the millenial culture of America.

I Have a Dream —Racial Discrimination in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

“…In other words, it covers up the fact that the roots of racism are embedded in the system of capitalist exploitation and that the patron promoter of racism is the capitalist class (pp. [3][4].…”

“…Thus, there is, Bigsby (2004) remarks, a parallel between the exhausted apartment of the family and those who inhabit it. A single small window provides the sole natural light which fights its way through the little window; it is parallel to the hope which has never quite been extinguished in their hearts, a hope which makes, "their later decision to move to another house equally a decision to remake those who inhabit it.…”

تداعيات التجارب الصادمة في "درس البيانو" لأوكست ويلسون

“…Wilson's plays center on his portrayal of the African-American experience and his fascination with the lives of those who, in Wilson's words, "have not made their way history books" (Bigsby, 1992).Thamir R.S. Az-Zubaidy (2019) states that Cultural, psychological, and cognitive factors all play a role in the lifetime process of identity creation .According to Wilson's argument in his 1996 paper, "those who would deny black Americans their culture would also deny them their history and the underlying ideals that are part of human life."…”