Broadway Talks

In this book, Arvid F. Sponberg provides a view of what some of the most important people in the commercial theater think about the state of their business. With one exception, none of those interviewed has ever before had an extended opportunity to discuss, for the record, the nature of their work.

The volume treats the reader to a comprehensive view of American commercial theater and how it operates. It documents the thoughts of twenty people who are currently making their living in the commercial theater, exploring aspects of their work usually ignored by the media. Those interviewed made comments on four broad topics: their personal background and key experiences in the theater; their views on the present state of financing, production, writing, casting, directing and designing; their insights into day-to-day theatrical management; and their opinions on proposed changes in theatrical practices. Their words show that it has taken enormous amounts of talent and work to preserve commercial theater from destruction by internal and external economic forces and political neglect. This book will surely receive wide acclaim from all scholars of drama and theater, all members of the theatrical professions, and especially playgoers and lovers of theater.

ARVID F. SPONBERG is Professor of English at Valparaiso University where he has written and lectured on modern drama for 18 years. This is his first published book. His current research focuses on the braided histories of American playwriting and theatrical management. Sponberg is planning a book on the not-for-profit theater that will be a companion volume to Broadway Talks. He is also researching the life of George Middleton, playwright, feminist, and second president of the Dramatists Guild.