This new encyclopedia from Oxford views theater and performance as "human expressions with large cultural significance." These expressions extend beyond traditional theater to include opera, film, dance, radio, and even circuses, rituals, and parades. The 4,300 alphabetically arranged entries span all time periods, starting with ancient Greek theater to the present, and are international and cross-cultural in scope. Entries range from a small paragraph to several pages; only the longer entries have brief bibliographies. There is, however, a general bibliography, divided up geographically and consisting of only monographs, at the end of volume 2.
Almost half (around 45 percent) of the subject matter consists of biographical entries on actors, playwrights, directors, designers, company managers, and critics (e.g., Ferber, Edna; Ferron, Jacques). Ten percent consists of city and regional entries (Istanbul, Philadelphia). The rest consists of concepts and theories (Pornography and performance); styles and movements (Alternative theatre, Ballad opera); historical themes (Ghost); organizations and institutions (Czech National Theatre); buildings and material elements (Amphitheatre); and media issues (Cyber theatre). A thematic table of contents divides entries into these eight categories, offering alternative access. There is also a "Selective Index of Dramatic Titles" that lists works and the entries in which they are mentioned (for example, Rent is discussed in the Musical play entry). This helps to compensate for the fact that there are no main entries on individual play titles. Additional features of the set include a list of the scholarly editors and contributors with brief biographical information, cross-references, occasional black-and-white illustrations, and a time line that situates key historical and cultural events with corresponding theater and performance events.
There are several reference theater books currently available that touch on some similar ground. Which one is the best depends on the features being sought. For example, International Dictionary of Theatre (St. James, 1992) offers better coverage of individual plays. The six-volume World Encyclopedia of Contemporary Theatre (Routledge, 1994) has even more detailed international coverage of current theater practice in other countries but lacks comparable ease of access. Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre (Continuum, 2002) is a less scholarly alternative for recent theater. Ultimately, although The Cambridge Guide to Theatre (rev. ed., Cambridge, 1995) remains the most comprehensive single-volume reference source and, at $50, is relatively cheap, The Oxford Encyclopedia is a solid set, recommended for academic and large libraries with strong theater collections. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Publisher: Oxford University Press
Released: 2003
by A.A. Cristi – March 06, 2026
Theatrical icon Charles Busch and cabaret artist Travis Moser have released their new album 'MIXTAPE', recorded live at The Laurie Beechman Theatre and now available on all music platforms.
by Josh Sharpe – March 06, 2026
Theater artist Charles Busch and cabaret artist Travis Moser have teamed up to release their new album, 'Mixtape,' based on the live show of the same name, recorded at NYC's Laurie Beechman Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – March 06, 2026
Singer-songwriter Jessie Altman has released her new EP Sleepwalking today, marking the first full project under her newly embraced artist name.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – March 06, 2026
Concord Theatricals Recordings has released Georgia Stitt's Bell Tower, an album featuring twenty-six theatrical art songs performed by Broadway stars and recording artists.
by Team BWW – March 05, 2026
Voting is now open for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Stage Recording Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in theatrical and performance-based recordings released during the 2025 calendar year.
by Josh Sharpe – March 04, 2026
West End performer Killian Donnelly (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables) is featured on a new space-opera concept album from musical collective LIM.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – March 02, 2026
Center Stage Records will release If the Stars Were Mine, the debut album from Claybourne Elder – best known for starring in HBO's “The Gilded Age” and Broadway's Company – in digital and streaming formats.
by Josh Sharpe – February 27, 2026
Tony Award-nominated composer has released The Symphonic Suites, an album comprised of new symphonic interpretations of four of his celebrated musical theatre scores, including Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde, Einstein: A Matter of Time, and Artus Excalibur (aka XCalibur).
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 27, 2026
Ghostlight Records has released Next to Normal: Original London Cast Recording as a special 2-CD set.
by A.A. Cristi – February 26, 2026
Beat by Beat Press has released three new youth musicals—OLYMPUS: THE GREEK ROCK MUSICAL, NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN, and STAR POWER—for global licensing.
by Team BWW – February 23, 2026
This is the final chance to submi nominations for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Stage Recording Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in theatrical and performance-based recordings released during the 2025 calendar year.
by Josh Sharpe – February 20, 2026
The offical motion picture soundtrack has been released for EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, the new cinematic experience from filmmaker Baz Luhrmann.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 20, 2026
Joy Machine Records has released All the World's a Stage: Original Cast Recording – the new musical with book, music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.
by Nicole Rosky – February 20, 2026
The Wingstastic Book Fair brings theatre lovers an extraordinary opportunity to own rare and signed Broadway treasures while supporting a vital nonprofit mission: preserving theatre history.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 20, 2026
Joy Machine Records has released All the World’s a Stage: Original Cast Recording – the new musical with book, music and lyrics by Adam Gwon.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 20, 2026
Center Stage Records has released the world premiere recording of THE MAGICIAN'S ELEPHANT, based on the acclaimed novel.
by Nicole Rosky – February 25, 2026
Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger is making a showstopping YA debut with Limelight (now available where books are sold), a poignant coming-of-age novel about identity, first love, and the power of the arts to help young people feel seen.
by Nicole Rosky – February 20, 2026
Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger is making a showstopping YA debut with Limelight, a poignant coming-of-age novel about identity, first love, and the power of the arts to help young people feel seen.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 19, 2026
Adam Gwon’s new musical All the World’s a Stage will be released as an original cast album.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 19, 2026
The Al Hirschfeld Foundation will present a new collection titled Hirschfeld's Icons: A Poster Book featuring iconic figures like Elvis and Madonna.
by Josh Sharpe – February 18, 2026
Tony Award winner and international musical theater performer Alfie Boe has set the release of his first-ever album of predominantly original material, Face Myself, arriving on April 10.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 17, 2026
The Grand Teton Music Festival will release of Mahler: Symphony No.
by Chloe Rabinowitz – February 17, 2026
The concept album for the new musical in development, Signs of Life, will be released on all streaming platforms.
by Josh Sharpe – February 17, 2026
The Housemaid, the hit thriller film starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, will arrive on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on March 17 from Lionsgate.
by Josh Sharpe – February 16, 2026
Atlanta-based composer and music producer Eugene IV is releasing an album featuring music from and inspired by the Theatrical Outfit world premiere of the musical Young John Lewis.
by Josh Sharpe – February 12, 2026
Claybourne Elder will release a studio recording of his popular one-man show, If the Stars Were Mine on April 3 from Center Stage Records.
by Josh Sharpe – February 11, 2026
Just in time for the streaming debut of Wicked: For Good on Peacock, Republic Records will release a brand-new pop-up vinyl edition of the soundtrack featuring an embossed cover and a pop-up gatefold jacket depicting Elphaba, Glinda, Grimmerie pages, and more.
by A.A. Cristi – February 10, 2026
Ghostlight Records has announced the release of NEXT TO NORMAL – ORIGINAL LONDON CAST RECORDING as a special two-CD set on Friday, February 27.
by A.A. Cristi – February 06, 2026
Joy Machine Records has announced the second single from All the World's a Stage: Original Cast Recording – “Other Lives,” performed by rising theater star Eliza Pagelle – today, Friday, February 6.
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