Enter the Playmakers: Directors and Choreographers on the New York Stage

A companion book to author Thomas Hischak’s earlier volume Enter the Players: New York Stage Actors in the 20th Century (Scarecrow Press, 2003), Enter the Playmakers: Directors and Choreographers on the New York Stage explores the lives and careers of over three hundred directors and choreographers who worked in the New York theatre. Famous artists like Elia Kazan and Jerome Robbins are featured alongside lesser known or new talents, all of whom have contributed to the American theatre. A biographical sketch outlines the life and career of each director and choreographer, explaining their strengths and talents and what makes them unique. This is followed by a chronological listing of every play or musical that the artist staged in New York, including details such as dates, venue (Broadway, Off Broadway, etc.) and whether the production was a new work or a revival. Presenting artists from the mid-18th century up through current favorites like Daniel Sullivan, Susan Stroman, Doug Hughes, and Kathleen Marshall, the book includes traditionalists (like Harold Clurman and Gower Champion), avant-garde artists (Elizabeth LeCompte and Richard Foreman), and directors and choreographers noted for various styles, genres, and theatre movements. Internationally recognized artists, such as Max Reinhardt and Peter Brook, whose productions had an impact on the New York theatre are also included. By listing all of the artist’s New York credits, each entry gives a vivid picture of the stage career of these important directors and choreographers.