The Man Who Was Rip Van Winkle - Joseph Jefferson and Nineteenth-Century American Theatre

Acknowledgments ix Introduction xiii 1. Cradled in the Profession 1 2. Marking the Progress of Civilization 29 3. Behind the Cart of Thespis 54 4. An Actor Prepares 85 5. Echoing the Public Voice 107 6. Triumphs in Comedy and Melodrama 134 7. Nibbling at Stardom 163 8. A Mighty Nimrod of Theatrical Touring 184 9. Mr. Jefferson and Rip Van Winkle 213 10. Bringing the "Sleepy Piece" Home 241 11. A Fellow of Infinite Jest, of Most Excellent Fancy 269 12. Are We So Soon Forgot? 305 Epilogue: A Shy Thing Is Comedy 350 Notes 357 Index 423