The 1940s--Theater in Wartime and Postwar Years
These five outstanding and now classic plays of the 1940s are works profoundly influenced by World War II, and demonstrate a breaking away from tradition onstage and an increasing concern with prejudice in America. The Skin of Our Teeth, the most important play of the war years, baffled audiences with its unconventional structure. Home of the Brave and All My Sons brought home the problem of the soldier returning to an America still filled with conflict. Lost in the Stars focused directly on South AFrican racism and The Member of the Wedding brought a new intimacy between actor and audience to the stage.
Henry Hewes was for many years the drama critic for the Saturday Review; he also adapted and directed plays.
The 1950s--New Directions in Theater
The five oustanding plays of the 1950s give a comprehensive overview of theater during this decade of cold war, crisis and personal frustration. The vivid sense of relity in A Hatful of Rain depends on the actors' success in becoming their characters, not merely representing them. Stagecraft, sets and lighting add to the dramatic effect of the allegorical Camino Real and the The Zoo Story. Sexuality and sensuality add to the psychological studies in Tea and Sympathy and The Autumn Garden.
Lee Strasberg was well known in the American theater as a director and teacher. He was the artistic director of the world-famous Actors Studio in New York, and helped found the highly inflential Group Theater.
Gordon Davidson is the artistic director of the Mark Taper Forum, and has produced and directed myriad mainstage productions, workshops and developmental projects. Among the plays he has directed are Children of a Lesser God and Shadowbox. He is the winner of two Tonys and many Critics Circle and Obie awards.
