The Theatre of Sam Shepard: States of Crisis

by Stephen J. Bottoms

Overview

This comprehensive analysis traces Sam Shepard's career from his experimental one-act plays of the 1960s through the 1994 play Simpatico. Concentrating on his playwriting, this book charts Shepard's various developments and shifts of direction, and the changing contexts in which his work has appeared. Engaging, informative, and insightful, The Theatre of Sam Shepard is the definitive source on the works of this innovative and original writer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521587914
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/13/1998
Series:	Cambridge Studies in American Theatre and Drama , #9
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	316
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.79(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Introduction: states of crisis; 1. Working out: the early plays, 1964–7; 2. Kicking out: rock and ruin, 1967–72; 3. Sorting out: an English interlude, 1971–4; 4. Nightmares of the nation: improvizations and collaborations, 1976–9; 5. Strychnine in the gut: Curse of the Starving Class (1977) and Buried Child (1978); 6. The real thing: True West (1980) and Fool for Love (1983); 7. Fire in the snow: two movies and A Lie of the Mind, 1984–88; 8. Victory and loss: the nation in the '90s; Afterword; Chronology.

Editorial Reviews

'Bottoms … has an excellent perception of the performance side of drama, which makes his comments on Shepard's work even more invaluable … another strength of the book is that Bottoms locates the plays in a wide spectrum of contexts … convincing and fascinating … Bottoms's book is very useful for understanding this highly prolific and versatile American playwright. Its detailed readings of Shepard's plays make it a substantial contribution to Shepard criticism.' American Studies

From the Publisher