Title Playing God : the Bible on the Broadway stage / Henry Bial

Published Ann Arbor : University of Michigan Press, [2015]

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Description 1 online resource Contents Faith-based initiatives -- Ben-Hur, Biblical fan fiction -- In the beginning : theatrical creations -- These are the generations of Noah -- Why do the righteous suffer? -- Jesus Christ, Broadway star -- Hard job being God Summary Biblical texts have inspired more than 100 Broadway plays and musicals, ranging from early spectacles like Ben-Hur (1899) to more familiar works such as Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. What happens when a culture's most sacred text enters its most commercial performance venue? Playing God focuses on eleven successful productions, as well as a few notable flops that highlight the difficulties in adapting the Old and New Testaments for the stage. The book is informed by both performance studies and theater history, combining analysis of play scripts with archival research into the actual circumstances of production and reception. Biblical plays, Henry Bial argues, balance religious and commercial considerations through a complex blend of spectacle, authenticity, sincerity, and irony. Though there is no magic formula for a successful adaptation, these four analytical lenses help explain why some biblical plays thrive while others have not Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-237) and index Notes English Print version record and CIP data provided by publisher SUBJECT Bible -- In literature. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85013818 Bible fast Bibel Altes Testament gnd Bibel Neues Testament gnd Subject Theater -- New York (State) -- New York -- History -- 20th century Bible plays, American -- History and criticism PERFORMING ARTS -- Theater -- General. Bible plays, American Literature Theater Bühnenbearbeitung Theater Aufführung New York (State) -- New York Broadway New York, NY Genre/Form Criticism, interpretation, etc. History Form Electronic book LC no. 2020706927 ISBN 9780472121519 0472121510

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