No Surrender! No Retreat!: African-American Pioneer Performers of 20th Century American Theater

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Overview

No Surrender! No Retreat! examines the careers of fifteen pioneer performers and their triumphs over herculean obstacles. It is a look back over the 20th century and documents personal histories of staggering achievement in spite of institutional racism, gender oppression, and classism. Twenty-four years in the making, No Surrender! No Retreat! is an indispensable work on African Americans in the performing arts, examining well-known performers, such as James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, and Pearl Bailey. Rare archival material and a number of personal interviews enrich this tome. Glenda E. Gill s work is a moving and sometimes tragic account of the lives and careers of some of America s most outstanding African American pioneers in theater.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312217570
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication date:	07/07/2000
Edition description:	2000
Pages:	230
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

Glenda E. Gill is Associate Professor of Drama at Michigan Technological University.

Table of Contents

Crucible and Community: The Vision of Rose McClendon
• Ethel Waters: Fiery Femme Fatale
• Paul Robeson: “America’s No. 1 Negro”
• Five From Porgy and Bess, 1935 and 1952
• Canada Lee: Pugilist, Performer, Politician
• Marian Anderson: Portrait in Dignity
• Pearl Bailey: Black Female Superstar
• Ruby Dee: Actor/Activist
• James T. Guines: Alabama A. and M. Thespian, 1950-1954
• James Earl Jones: “My Soul Looks Back in Wonder”
• “Advanced Dementia” and Resistance: Morgan Freeman and Non-Traditional Roles

Editorial Reviews

James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, and Pearl Bailey are among the 15 performers whose lives and careers Gill (drama, Michigan Technological U.) explores. She draws on rare archival material and a number of personal interviews to reveal their achievements despite institutional racism, gender oppression, and classism. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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