Women Writers of the Provincetown Players: A Collection of Short Works

Barlow (English, women's studies, the University of Albany-State University of New York) presents 13 plays written by women and performed by the Provincetown Players in Cape Cod and New York City between 1915 and 1922, at the height of the 'Little Theater Movement.' The plays range from tragedies to satires, and provide a look at women's concerns during the era leading up to women's suffrage. Well-known writers such as Susan Glaspell and Edna St. Vincent Millay are represented, along with less known writers including Neith Boyce and Louise Bryant. An introduction surveys the role of 20th century women playwrights in American theater history, and paints a portrait of Provincetown as a bohemian enclave of the era and the movers and shakers of its artistic society. An introduction to each play offers critical information on the play and biographical information on the playwrights. There is no subject index. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Judith E. Barlow is Professor of English and Women’s Studies at the University at Albany–SUNY. Her books include Plays by American Women: 1900–1930; Plays by American Women: 1930–1960; and Final Acts: The Creation of Three Late O’Neill Plays.