A Beautiful Pageant

The Harlem Renaissance was an unprecedented period of vitality in the American Arts. Defined as the years between 1910 and 1927, it was the time when Harlem came alive with theater, drama, sports, dance and politics. Looking at events as diverse as the prizefight between Jack Johnson and Jim 'White Hope' Jeffries, the choreography of Aida Walker and Ethel Waters, the writing of Zora Neale Hurston and the musicals of the period, Krasner paints a vibrant portrait of those years. This was the time when the residents of northern Manhattan were leading their downtown counterparts at the vanguard of artistic ferment while at the same time playing a pivotal role in the evolution of Black nationalism. This is a thrilling piece of work by an author who has been working towards this major opus for years now. It will become a classic that will stay on the American history and theater shelves for years to come.

'A densely detailed, consistently readable account of the Harlem Renaissance...Krasner's aim is far broader than a period of history in theatre, he deftly concentrates on 'specific events in order to sketch a larger picture' and alters people's way of thinking about the Harlem Renaissance.' - Publishers Weekley

'Krasner's arguments are persuasive and engaging.' - D.B. Wilmeth, Choice

'Densely detailed, consistently readable ... succinct and neatly incorporated background sketches along with intelligible and accessible references to theorists enrich the finer details.' - Publishers Weekly

'A timely, lively, essential book that advances African American performance studies while specifically bringing theatre, performance and drama into focus in the glory years of the Harlem Renaissance.' - Robert B Stepto, Yale University

'Breezy, witty,and intelligent look at a decade that brought us such memorable and groundbreaking shows.' - Library Journal

Autorentext
DAVID KRASNER is Director of Undergraduate Theater Studies at Yale University. His previous book Resistance, Parody, and Double Consciousness in African American Theater, 1895-1910 (SMP 1997) received the 1998 Errol Hill Award from the American Society for Theater Research.

Zusammenfassung
Looking at events as diverse as the prizefight between Jack Johnson and Jim 'White Hope' Jeffries, the choreography of Aida Walker and Ethel Waters, the writing of Zora Neale Hurston and the musicals of the period, Krasner paints a vibrant portrait of those years.

Inhalt
Introduction: African American Performance in the Harlem Renaissance PART ONE: 1910-1918 Men in Black and White: Race and Masculinity in the 1910 Heavyweight Championship Fight Exoticism, Dance, and Racial Myths: The Choreography of Aida Walker and Ethel Waters The Pageant is theThing: Black Nationalism and The Star of Ethiopia PART TWO: DRAMA Walter Benjamin and the Lynching Play: Allegory and Mourning in Angelina Weld Grimke's Rachel Migration, Fragmentation, and Identity: Zora Neale Hurston's Color Struck and the Geography of the Harlem Renaissance The Wages of Culture: Alain Locke and the Folk Dramas of Georgia Douglas Johnson and Willis Richardson PART THREE: 1918-1927 The Banner of Freedom: Marcus Garvey and the Performance of Black Nationalism Whose Role Is It, Anyway?: Charles Gilpin and the Harlem Renaissance 'What Constitutes a Race Drama and How May We Know It When We Find It?': The Little Theatre Movement and the Black Public Sphere 'Shuffle Along' and the Quest for Nostalgia: Black Musicals of the 1920s Conclusion: The End of 'Butter Side Up'