Wendy Smith (3) (1956–)

I read this fascinating and well-written history of the Group Theatre when I was processing the Eunice Stoddard papers for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (Stoddard was a little-heralded but active member). Smith expertly presides over a tumultuous tour of this pivotal American theatre of the 1930s: the idealism, the passion, the alliances, the compromises, the technique, talent, rivalries, betrayals, affairs, disillusion, and finally dissolution. On a stage with a foundation of solid and detailed research, Smith assembles a cast of vivid characters fired with the passion of youth, who inspire each other to their highest levels of artistry even while dealing devastating criticism to one another and scheming unsuccessfully to wed artistic achievement with commercial viability. An essential read for theatrefolk. This is what it is.… (meer)