Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
About this book
By tracing the effects of unprecedented immigration, the advent of the new woman, and the little-known vaudeville careers of performers like the Elinore Sisters, Buster Keaton, and the Marx Brothers, DesRochers examines the relation between comedic vaudeville acts and progressive reformers as they fought over the new definition of "Americanness."
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
Table of contents (6 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
Reviews
Finalist for the 2014 George Freedley Memorial Award
“The New Humor in the Progressive Era vividly illuminates a critical era in America’s social and cultural history that might also shed light on our own. DesRochers writes in clear, accessible prose, and this book will be of interest to those interested in America’s social and cultural history, as well as specialists in theatre history and popular entertainment.” (Cheryl Black, The Journal of American Drama and Theatre, jadtjournal.org, Vol. 28 (2), June, 2016)
“DesRochers’s work in The New Humor in the Progressive Era excites conversation and inquiry, and it invites us to reconsider vaudeville as an important site for studies of American identity. … In this smart and informed analysis, Rick DesRochers turns a spotlight on the vaudeville stage and invites us to listen to the rebellious voices of its clowns and comics and to trace its lasting legacy in American culture.” (Ann M. Ryan, Studies in American Humor, Spring, 2016)
"First and foremost, The New Humor in the Progressive Era is marvelously entertaining and honors the riotous spirit of some of the greatest performers of the early twentieth century. At the same time, Rick DesRochers makes an important contribution to theatre and performance scholarship, American cultural studies, and histories of comedy and clowning. Thoroughly researched and compellingly written, this book is a seriously good read." - James F. Wilson, City University of New York, USAAbout the author
Rick DesRochers is Associate Professor and Director of Theatre and Multi-Media Performance at Lehman College, City University of New York, USA.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The New Humor in the Progressive Era
Book Subtitle: Americanization and the Vaudeville Comedian
Authors: Rick DesRochers
Series Title: Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137357182
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York
eBook Packages: Palgrave Theatre & Performance Collection, Literature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Nature America Inc. 2014
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-35742-7Published: 24 July 2014
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-47074-7Published: 24 July 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-35718-2Published: 24 July 2014
Series ISSN: 2947-5767
Series E-ISSN: 2947-5775
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXI, 187
Topics: Performing Arts, Social History, Theatre History, Theatre and Performance Studies, Arts, US History