Shakespeares effect on Americas intellectual and artistic life has been muchdiscussed but what role does he play on the American popular stage? This studychange... » 

Shakespeares effect on Americas intellectual and artistic life has been muchdiscussed but what role does he play on the American popular stage? This studychanges our understanding of Shakespeares presence in American life. The booklooks at how Shakespeare came to America just before the Revolutionary War. AsAmericans broke with Britain they embraced Britains playwright. Teague reexamines P. T. Barnums attempt to buy Shakespeares Birthplace the AstorPlace Riot when twentythree people died and the way both Abraham Lincoln andJohn Wilkes Booth regarded Shakespeare. In the history of Broadway moremusicals have drawn on Shakespeare than any other author. Shakespeare musicalslike Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story can tell us much about Americasculture but sometimes failed musicals such as Swingin the Dream can tell usmore. With discussion of over twenty Shakespeare musicals this studydemonstrates that Shakespeare has always been present in popular shows. «