Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Book Collects Essays on CST's First 25 Years

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) has a new book out. Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Suiting the Action to the Word is a collection of original essays that furthers the study of William Shakespeare in performance and stagecraft based on productions in the theater's first 25 years.

Scholars, artists, and theater critics view Shakespeare through the lens of the theater's work, bringing together professional observations and scholarly examinations of CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines's productions as well as those of other world-renowned directors who have worked at CST, including Michael Bogdanov (The Winter's Tale in 2003), Edward Hall (Rose Rage: Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3 in 2004), and Josie Rourke (The Taming of the Shrew in 2010).

“Within the broad scope of Shakespeare scholarship, performance studies have taken on great prominence over the course of the past two decades, elevating the significance of the interpreted work on stage and film, and returning performance to its original importance in Shakespeare's own career,” CST Director of Education and Communications Marilyn Halperin said in a press release. “The work of major theaters devoted to Shakespeare's work, such as Chicago Shakespeare here in the United States, has become a primary source for scholars advancing the study of Shakespeare and early modern theater."

Compiled and edited by CST Scholar-in-Residence Regina Buccola and Valparaiso University Dean and Professor of Literature and Humanities Peter Kanelos, the collection offers a comprehensive view of Chicago Shakespeare Theater's award-winning productions, community and educational outreach, and international collaborations.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Suiting the Action to the Word features contributions from Jonathan Abarbanel, theater critic for Chicago Public Radio; Michael Billington, the longest-serving theater critic in the history of The Guardian; Simon Callow, British actor and director of stage, screen, television, and radio; Gina M. Di Salvo, Northwestern University; Wendy Doniger, professor at the University of Chicago; Jeffrey Gore, University of Illinois at Chicago; Bradley Greenburg, Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago; Clark Hulse, University of Illinois at Chicago; Richard Ouzounian, chief theater critic for the Toronto Star and Canadian correspondent for Variety; NPR personality Peter Sagal; Michael Shapiro, Loyola University Chicago; Wall Street Journal drama critic Terry Teachout; Alicia Tomasian, William Rainey Harper College; Jonathan Walker, Portland State University; and Wendy Wall, Professor of the Humanities at Northwestern University.

Published by Northern Illinois University Press, Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Suiting the Action to the Word will be available for purchase at the Theater during performances and online at www.chicagoshakes.com/store for $30. The text can also be found in hardcopy and e-book formats through major online book retailers such as Amazon and Ebay. 

November 5, 2013

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