In four volumes of Blood on the Stage, Amnon Kabatchnik examined more than 400 crime-themed plays produced in the 20th century. As any theater lover knows, however, depicting acts of wrong-doing is not a recent phenomenon. The stark, violent plays of Seneca in ancient Rome were followed by liturgical dramas of the Dark Ages that drew on both the Old and New Testaments. The golden age of Elizabethan drama boasted masterful plays drenched with treachery, bloodshed, and horror.
In Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D.: Milestone Plays of Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem: An Annotated Repertoire, Kabatchnik analyzes more than fifty blood-splattered plays that have withstood the test of time. Beginning with masterpieces like Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus, Oedipus the King by Sophocles, and Medea by Euripides, this volume spans centuries of equally compelling dramas such as The Haunted House (200 B.C.), Phaedra (c. 60 A.D.), and The Killing of Abel (mid-15th century). Later works include Thomas Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy, as well as several plays by Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare, notably The Tragedy of Julius Caesar and Hamlet.
The plays in this book—a “prequel” to the other four volumes of Blood on the Stage—represent ancient Greece, ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and Elizabethan England. The entries are arranged in chronological order and include plot synopses, biographical sketches of playwrights and actors, details about productions, and critical reception, if available. From the killing of Abel by his brother Cain to Hamlet’s revenge of his father’s murder, Blood on the Stage, 480 B.C. to 1600 A.D. provides a critical overview of some of the most significant dramatizations of criminal behavior.
Discover the new book, UNLIKELY JAPAN AND OTHER PLAYS, a collection of ten one-act plays from a decade of the LaBute New Theater Festival, published by St. Louis Actors' Studio and renowned playwright Neil LaBute.
The Original Broadway Cast Album of Gutenberg! The Musical! featuring GRAMMY® Award winners and Tony Award® nominees Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells has been released digitally on Friday, May 3. Listen to the album here!
Dan Landon was a Broadway theatre manager for nearly 40 years, working on more than 9000 performances of 50 shows. He has written his memoir, From the Back of the House, which will be published by Ibis Books on June 13, 2024.
Natalie Tenenbaum is a composer, pianist, and music producer recognized equally on the stages of Carnegie Hall, SXSW and Broadway for breaking the boundaries between classical composition, popular storytelling, and improvisational jazz to create acoustic and electro-acoustic concert music for a wide scope of artists.
Are We Dreaming The Same Dream? - a new album from Akropolis Reed Quintet, composer and pianist Pascal Le Boeuf, and drummer Christian Euman - is out now on Bright Shiny Things.
Roy Schreiber has announced the release of his latest book, A Coat of Many Colors: Putting Jewish Characters on Stage. Published by Bookbaby on February 1, 2024, the book is a collection of five diverse plays challenging traditional stereotypes of Jewish characters.
V. de la Cruz has announced the release of her new supernatural thriller, The Enigma Within. This gripping tale explores the depths of the paranormal, weaving a story that will leave readers spellbound.
The cast recording has finished in NYC at famed recording studio EastsideSound Recording Studio for the musical film From Corinne’s Heart. Check out photos here!
Anna Valentine, Managing Director of The Orion Publishing Group, has acquired World rights to Joe Lycett's Art Hole by Joe Lycett, from Hannah Chambers at Chambers Management, in a competitive eight way auction.
Theatre Communications Group and Arena Stage will present a book release celebration for The Long Revolution: Sixty Years on the Frontlines of a New American Theatre by Zelda Fichandler. Learn more about the book and see how to attend the conversation.
Broadway Melody, the sweeping novel of love, ambition and defeat by veteran Broadway professional Jack Viertel is now available for purchase. Learn more about the book!
Michael Ramos has announced the release of his new book, Murders on Death Row. This sequel to Silence in the Silos was released by The Native Publishers in March 2024.
YELLOW SOUND LABEL has released White Girl in Danger: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording – the new musical from Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Michael R. Jackson. Listen here!
Aakash Chotrani has announced the release of his new book Humans and AI Coexistence: Technology Changing the World Order. Independently published the book is set to launch on March 28, 2024.
Discover the Orchestre National de France's new 3-CD box set, led by Cristian Măcelaru, featuring George Enescu’s full symphonies and Romanian Rhapsodies 1 & 2.
The original cast recording of THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA, the latest musical from acclaimed composer MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA is now available for streaming.
Jay Moreland, a promising voice in the world of fantasy literature, has announced the release of his latest novel, The Language of Spears: A Soulwasher Novel. This new fantasy takes readers on an epic journey of conflict and redemption.
Available for the first time in the nearly 60 years since they were introduced, the four 1960s vocal albums from Lainie Kazan are now streaming on all digital platforms.
Explore Taiwan's future in THE ALLIANCE OF THE WEAK: VOLUME 1 by Infinity A, a new novel from Baggins & Gamgee that delves into a world where flaws and disabilities redefine societal norms.
BroadwayWorld spoke with Roslyn Kind to discuss her medley 'The Look of Love' and 'The Island'. The musical artist discusses her career, her philosophy on love, and her new music video in this exclusive interview.