There was a vast array of activity in American theatre during the twentieth century, when work produced in the United States reached the height of its significance and influence within the world repertoire.

Presenting an overview of criticism on the full range of twentieth-century American drama as well as a substantial anthology that reflects the changing critical perspectives that have been trained on the area, this extensive collection performs two much-needed functions. Covering a variety of themes from the battles over realism and expressionism at the beginning of the century, to the emergence of Freudian and myth criticism, the response to post-structural theory in the seventies and eighties, and the intense focus on issues of gender, sexual identity and ethnicity toward the end of the century, this is a fascinating and unique collection for both student and scholar alike.