Description: Drawing upon archival resources, official correspondence and personal interviews, this book provides a detailed examination of the U.S. Federal Theatre Project in the decade of the 1930s. It recreates the often chaotic but frequently exhilarating story of "Uncle Sam" as producer. Special attention is given to the controversial Negro unit; the prize-winning production of See How They Run; and the mass spectacles which attempted to incorporate Hallie Flanagan's vision of a truly national project rooted in local culture.
Brief description: Barry B. Witham is Professor at the School of Drama, University of Washington.
Review Quotes: "...backed by 15 years of research that the author mines to create several lively narratives about the project's various elements. By the end of this meticulous study, the theater enthusiast feels as though he's been transported to Seattle in the late 1930s." Seattle Times