Theaters: A Norton/Library of Congress Visual Sourcebook

Craig Morrison

Praise for Theaters:

"[N]o more thorough visual documentation of American theaters has ever been attempted."

—Wall Street Journal

"It is spectacular! I have no doubt that it will be the standard reference book on this subject."

—Richard Sklenar, Executive Director, Theatre Historical Society of America, Inc.

"[A] richly illustrated history of a beloved cultural building type."

—Sources and Design

"Featuring over 1,200 illustrations and the expertise of architect and historian Craig Morrison, Theaters belongs on your coffee table."

—Patriot News

"[A] sweeping look at its subject."

—Louisville Courier-Journal

"[B]reathtaking in scope...Insightful and readable…a splendid book"

—Charleston Post & Courier

"Theaters, itself, should be listed on the National Historic Register in recognition of the service it provides urban historians and modelers!"

—O-Scale Trains Magazine

"[A] comprehensive, fascinating survey of the changing history and styles of theaters from early playhouses to modern movie houses…[A] powerful visual reference recommended for any serious theater enthusiast."

—California Bookwatch

“[S]plendidly illustrated. the largest single source of material for theatre enthusiasts interested in the history and evolution of these buildings. monumental work.”
—Playbill

“[T]he ultimate picture book for anyone interested in historic American theatre buildings. . . . [A] remarkable and engrossing collection of images that will appeal to theatre and cinema building enthusiasts everywhere.”
—Theatres Magazine

“[I]mpressive. . . . [T]he real value of this volume is the breadth of its visual scope, so the inclusion of a CD of picture files and catalogue links is the best reason for splashing out.”
—RIBA Journal

“[A]n astonishing book..More thoroughly illustrated than any previous work on the subject.. [T]he book supplements each illustration with essential facts..”
–Hugh Hardy, Urban Design Review

"Rising to the top is Theaters by Craig Morrison, a beautifully illustrated history of American performance venues in all their colorful and varied forms, from music halls to vaudeville, from nickelodeons to movie palaces.” —Stage Directions Magazine

Overview — Index

The latest title in the Norton/Library of Congress Visual Sourcebooks series, Theaters offers a richly illustrated history of a revered cultural artifact and a technological challenge, following its progression from the eighteenth-century opera house to the modern movie multiplex. This visual sourcebook traces the development of its colorful and varied forms as they developed in early America, on the western frontier, and in cities from coast to coast. The first comprehensive study of American theaters, it illustrates their wide range from raucous music halls to vaudeville, from circus to grand opera, from World's Fair to Coney island, from nickelodeon to glorious picture palace. Also featured are theaters for burlesque, theaters afloat, military theaters, Shakespearean theaters, summer theaters, theaters and African-Americans, and arenas (when a stage just won't do), enlivened by a cast of entrepreneurs and showmen who were the movers and shakers of our theatrical heritage.

CD-ROM included: screen resolution scans in easy-to-use TIFF format for Mac and PC.

About the Author

Craig Morrison, an architect and theater historian, lives in New York City.

ISBN: 0-393-73108-1
January 2006; 1200 black-and-white illustrations
Cloth w/CD-ROM; 352 pages