Research Catalog

The Abbott touch : Pal Joey, Damn Yankees, and the theatre of George Abbott

Title

The Abbott touch : Pal Joey, Damn Yankees, and the theatre of George Abbott / Thomas Hischak.

Author

Hischak, Thomas S.

Publication

London, UK ; New York, NY : Methuen Drama, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2023.
©2023

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Request Scan Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Performing Arts Research Collections to submit a request in person.	Text	Use in library	MWES (Abbott, G.) 23-3812	Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre

Details

Description

x, 257 pages : illustrations; 24 cm

Summary

"This in-depth and original study examines 100 productions and analyses why George Abbott's name became synonymous with the 'golden age' of Broadway. It asks questions such as what did he contribute?; how did he work?; what innovations did he come up with?; how did he survive so long?; leading to the fundamental question of what exactly was the famous "Abbott touch"? For sixty years, George Abbott was a vital force in the American theatre. As an actor, playwright, director, librettist, play doctor, and producer, he laid his "touch" on approximately one hundred New York productions from The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees through to Sweet Charity and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Spanning Abbott's work chronologically, each chapter examines a period of creativity in his life leading up to him becoming the multi-hyphenate artist he is now famously known as. Beginning with his early career in 1913 through to his work on the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees, each chapter analyses his key contributions to the primary works that have since been attributed to his genius. The first study of its kind, this book offer a key insight into the working life of one of the 20th century's most prolific theatre practitioners, as well as offering a vital history for theatre scholars and fans alike"--

Subject

Genre/Form

Biographies.
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
History.

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

Prologue : the paradox known as Mister Abbott -- Pounding and progressing on 42nd Street (1913-1925) -- If you want it done right, write it and direct it yourself (1925-1934) -- If you really want it done better, produce it yourself (1932-1940) -- How did I get typecast in farce? (1932-1939) -- The celluloid sidestep (1918-1931) -- Adding songwriters to the mix (1935-1945) -- Entertaining the homefront (1942-1945) -- Working with new (and usually younger) faces (1944-1949) -- Post-war blues (1946-1961) -- That's entertainment? (1940-1960) -- All they want is musicals (1950-1955) -- Ignoring the sixties (1959-1962) -- Almost but not quite (1964-1989) -- Looking back with dubious success (1969-1994) -- Epilogue : no exit music, please.

Call Number

MWES (Abbott, G.) 23-3812

ISBN

9781350340596
1350340596
9781350340589
1350340588

LCCN

2022024862
40031670339

OCLC

1315740394

Author

Hischak, Thomas S., author.

Title

The Abbott touch : Pal Joey, Damn Yankees, and the theatre of George Abbott / Thomas Hischak.

Publisher

London, UK ; New York, NY : Methuen Drama, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2023.

Copyright Date

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chronological Term

1900-1999

Other Form:

Online version: Hischack, Thomas S. Abbott touch London ; New York : Methuen Drama, 2023 9781350340602 (DLC) 2022024863

Other Standard Identifier

40031670339

Research Call Number

MWES (Abbott, G.) 23-3812

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