Unrivalled in its coverage of recent work and writers, The Methuen Drama Guide to Contemporary American Playwrights surveys and analyses the breadth, vitality and development of theatrical work to emerge from America over the last fifty years.
This authoritative guide leads you through the work of 25 major contemporary American playwrights, discussing more than 140 plays in detail. Written by a team of 25 eminent international scholars, each chapter provides:
· a biographical introduction to the playwright’s work;
· a survey and concise analysis of the writer's most important plays;
· a discussion of their style, dramaturgical concerns and critical reception;
· a bibliography of published plays and a select list of critical works.
Among the many Tony, Obie and Pulitzer prize-winning playwrights included are Sam Shepard, Tony Kushner, Suzan-Lori Parks, August Wilson, Paula Vogel and Neil LaBute. The abundance of work analysed enables fresh, illuminating conclusions to be drawn about the development of contemporary American playwriting.

Contributions by: Tom Adler, Scott T. Cummings, Jochen Achilles, Ken Urban, Klaus Benesch, Russell Vandenbroucke, James Fisher, Jill S. Dolan, Christopher Innes, Toby Zinman, Susan Abbotson, Annalisa Brugnoli, Ilka Saal, Aurélia Sanchez, Deborah Geis, Annette J. Saddik, Jorge Huerta, Joanna Mansbridge, Pia Wiegmink, Frazer Lively, Sandra G. Shannon, Birgit Daewes, Peter Paul Schnierer, Martin Middeke, Katherine Weiss, Kerstin Schmidt