Staging Emily Dickinson

$39.99

Taxes may apply at checkout.

Staging Emily Dickinson

The History and Enduring Influence of William Luce's The Belle of Amherst

Theatre studies

Author: Grant Hayter-Menzies

Dinosaur mascot

Language: English

Published by: McFarland

Published on: 20th April 2023

Format: LCP-protected ePub

Size: 232 pages

ISBN: 9781476649030


Introduction

With a writer who had never written a play, an actress who had never taken the stage alone, and a director who had never headed a live performance, The Belle of Amherst managed to become an American theater classic. Despite being savaged by critics attending its opening night in April 1976, the play, which details the life of Emily Dickinson, survived its baptism by fire and went on to appear in theaters across the world.

About the Play

This is the remarkable untold story of "the little play that could." Covering the play's humble beginnings as well as its pioneers—like writer William Luce, director Charles Nelson Reilly, and actress Julie Harris—this work also documents the modern efforts to keep the play alive. Exploring the show's enduring dramatic power, this book ultimately pays respect to the one-woman show that has triumphed for decades.

Show moreShow less