The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is widely known for vibrant productions that reflect the Bards genius for intricate storytelling, musicality of language, and depth of feeling for the human condition. Affectionately known to natives of the Windy City as Chicago Shakes, this vanguard of Chicagos rich theatrical tradition celebrates its silver anniversary with this bracing collection of original essays by world-renowned scholars, directors, actors, and critics.
Chicago Shakespeare Theaterunveils the artistic visions and decisions that helped shape this venerable institution and examines the theaters international reputation for staging such remarkable and provocative performances. The volume brings together works by such heralded drama critics as Terry Teachout, Jonathan Abarbanel, and Michael Billington; theater industry giants like Michael Bogdanov, Edward Hall, and Simon Callow; interviews with the Chicago Shakespeare Theaters own Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson; and essays by such noted figures in academe as Clark Hulse, Wendy Wall, and Michael Shapiro.
This collection is an enjoyable, dynamic, and occasionally stunning read.
Matthew Kozusko, Ursinus College
As the first book about the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this book offers a valuable resource to anyone interested in the work of this theater company. Overall the scholarship
of these essays is excellent.
Beatrice Bosco, DePaul University
The Chicago Shakespeare Theater has made a contribution of inestimable importance to the Chicago cultural scene. This fine collection of essays ... is a worthy and fascinating tribute to the genius of Barbara Gaines as theater maestro extraordinaire. To quote Antony from Julius Caesar, When comes such another? Or, as Enobarbus says of Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra, Kneel down, kneel down, and wonder.
David Bevington, University of Chicago
![Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Suiting the Action to the Word [Hardcover]](/itemImage/2/1/4/2/2_3333746.jpg "Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Suiting the Action to the Word [Hardcover]")