The Oxford Companion to American Theatre
First published in 1984, Gerald Bordman's Oxford Companion to American Theatre is the standard one-volume source on our national theatre. Critics have hailed its "wealth of authoritative information" (Back Stage), its "fascinating picture of the volatile American stage" (The Guardian), and its "well-chosen, illuminating facts" (Newsday).\ Now thoroughly revised, this distinguished volume once again provides an up-to-date guide to the American stage from its beginnings to the present....
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In order to incorporate new information into Bordman's reference without the volume filling up with gaps or becoming too heavy to lift, playwright Hischak (State U. of New York-Cortland) has shortened and combined existing entries rather than dropping them entirely whenever possible. More plays, musical, and people are included, but also new entries on such topics as Asian American theater, gay and lesbian theater, the redevelopment of 42nd Street, solo performances, road tours, AIDS, participatory theater events, and various New York theater companies. Entries of plays include plot summaries and sample reception. Extensive cross-referencing substitutes for an index. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Library Journal While both books give a broad view of the American theater, they have different strengths. The Oxford Companion is an extensive revision of the 1984 edition and is updated with about 700 entries on contemporary playwrights, performers, and plays, which brings the total to approximately 2600 entries. Both Bordman and Hischak have written extensively about the Broadway theater, particularly musicals, and their experience and interests are reflected in the text. The Oxford has many more entries on producers and individual performers (e.g., Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, and Ruby Dee have separate entries here but do not in The Facts On File Companion). The articles are more numerous but tend to be shorter, and there is no index or bibliography. The Facts On File Companion reflects the scholarly training of editor Bryer (English, Univ. of Maryland). There are fewer entries (600 total), and many of the articles run several columns with discussions of a particular title (e.g., discussions of Death of a Salesman and Mourning Becomes Electra are each almost three pages). Articles usually have a brief bibliography. Bottom Line If your library has money for only one volume, go with The Oxford Companion. It has more ready-reference detail, and some of the Facts On File analyses of plays can be found in other library sources. However, if the budget allows, buy both, as they complement each other nicely.-Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas, Galveston Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
\ Library JournalWhile both books give a broad view of the American theater, they have different strengths. The Oxford Companion is an extensive revision of the 1984 edition and is updated with about 700 entries on contemporary playwrights, performers, and plays, which brings the total to approximately 2600 entries. Both Bordman and Hischak have written extensively about the Broadway theater, particularly musicals, and their experience and interests are reflected in the text. The Oxford has many more entries on producers and individual performers (e.g., Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, and Ruby Dee have separate entries here but do not in The Facts On File Companion). The articles are more numerous but tend to be shorter, and there is no index or bibliography. The Facts On File Companion reflects the scholarly training of editor Bryer (English, Univ. of Maryland). There are fewer entries (600 total), and many of the articles run several columns with discussions of a particular title (e.g., discussions of Death of a Salesman and Mourning Becomes Electra are each almost three pages). Articles usually have a brief bibliography. Bottom Line If your library has money for only one volume, go with The Oxford Companion. It has more ready-reference detail, and some of the Facts On File analyses of plays can be found in other library sources. However, if the budget allows, buy both, as they complement each other nicely.-Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas, Galveston Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalGr 9 Up-In this new edition of the well-known A-to-Z reference work, Hischak extensively updates and revises Bordman's previous works (Oxford, 1984, 1992; o.p.). Besides the necessary additions and deletions of plays and people, this volume provides several articles on relevant topics, such as "Performance Art" and "AIDS and the American Theatre." The preface states that all "Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize, and New York Drama Critics Circle Award-winning American plays are now included"; however, there are a few omissions. In order to make room for this additional material and yet keep the companion to one volume, Hischak condensed and edited the previous edition, and, as a result, the information projects a more balanced and neutral tone. Unfortunately, the editing has also eliminated much of Bordman's ascerbic wit. Nonetheless, despite some quibbling with entries left intact and exclusion of some modern theatre personalities (e.g., Ann Reinking, Romulus Linney), this is a good choice for libraries needing to update their collections.-Betty S. Evans, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.\ \
