George Kelly - A Research and Production Sourcebook

George Kelly was a pioneer realist in the American theater who not only enjoyed popular and critical success, but also remained true to his own moral vision of theater as an art form despite what he considered vulgar influences that catered to the popular taste. Drawing upon the canon of Kelly's published plays as well as on manuscripts for four plays never before published or widely discussed by critics, this volume chronicles the evolution of this important craftsman and director from his earliest and most critically lauded examinations of America's upper middle-class family life to his often spartan commentary on changing American morals and tastes.

Calling into question the short-sighted assessments of scholars and critics who discount Kelly's achievements as formulaic and misogynistic, this reference reveals the broad spectrum of critical opinion which generally admired his theatrical skill and moral commitment. An opening biography surveys Kelly's career, while the chapters that follow give detailed information about his works. Included are plot synopses and production histories of his plays, along with an extensive annotated bibliography of reviews and scholarly studies.

List of contents

Preface
George Kelly: Biography and Analysis
Plot Summaries and Critical Overviews
Full-Length Plays
One-Act Plays and Sketches
Production and Credits
Primary Bibliography and Annotated Secondary Bibliography
Index

About the author

Mark A. Graves

Product details

• Authors: Mark A. Graves, Graves Mark A.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.08.1999
• EAN: 9780313299933
• ISBN: 978-0-313-29993-3
• Series: Modern Dramatists Research and Production Sourcebooks
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; LITERARY CRITICISM / Drama, LITERARY CRITICISM / Reference, LITERARY CRITICISM / American / General, PERFORMING ARTS / Theater / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 20th Century, PERFORMING ARTS / Reference, Theatre Studies, American English, Reference works, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, Literary studies: plays & playwrights, Literary studies: plays and playwrights, The Arts: Drama