Curiosities of the American Stage

In 1869, Laurence Hutton posed a question that still resonates: has America produced a single truly authentic play? This passionate, deeply researched survey of the American stage seeks an answer by tracing the nation's theatrical roots from the Revolutionary era through the Civil War. Hutton examines the first American play, 'The Contrast' (1787), celebrates trailblazing performers and playwrights, and probes the peculiar American struggle to forge a theater that isn't merely imported from Europe. He explores the Indian drama, Revolutionary plays, war theater, and the eccentric byways of American performance that most historians ignored. Written with the conviction of a cultural patriot who believes theater reveals a nation's soul, this book captures a pivotal moment when America was still inventing itself and asking whether its stage could ever speak with a genuine native voice. For anyone curious about where American theater came from, and why it has always wrestled with questions of identity and authenticity, Hutton's curio cabinet offers endlessly fascinating relics.