Joe Papp: An American Life

by Helen Epstein

Book Overview

Self-made impresario, controversial producer, contentious champion of human rights and the First Amendment, founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival, and unquestionably the most dynamic force in American theater in the last quarter century, Joseph Papp (1921-1991) changed forever America's cultural landscape. He was the first to demand and to provide--against enormous odds--free Shakespeare to the public, and the first to pioneer colorblind casting and minority-group theater.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316246042
• ISBN13: 9780316246040
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 554 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

review from his neice

havent read all of it yet; but ive read her, the authors first book which is pretty accurate; my uncle was an amazing, dynamic and brilliant innovator in many fields; not only in theatre which he dedicated his life to; but sensitive to all people; because of him homeless people are being given food now; progams he started when he was alive; my whole family have the papp blood; myself as a teacher, linguist, dancer, singer,etc; sister artist;;;this was given to us by my grandfather an immigrant from poland who loved music, yiddish theatre, was an actor, comedian,;;etc. may my uncle, Joseph Papp who has given my mother, and family, never be forgetten; looking forward to getting the book and will follow with unbiased critique

A dense, informative bit of theater history

The story of Joe Papp is the story of a precious stage ofAmerican theater history -- an intensely productive period forAmerican playwrights and New York theater -- and as such, this book is satisfying. The author is a Papp fan, so it's to her credit that this reader found Papp complex and industrious, but not terribly likable or insightful about the theatrical art or craft. As a visionary, his successes are a matter of record -- though no one would want producers to emulate his thoughtless, irresponsible, "raging bull" approach to developing the artistic and financial security of an organization. Yet the man was a force of nature, and his interaction with his community -- documented here in detail -- is of genuine historical interest.