Broadway Goes to War

American Theater During World War II

The American theater was not ignorant of the developments brought on by World War II, and actively addressed and debated timely, controversial topics for the duration of the war, including neutrality and isolationism, racism and genocide, and heroism and battle fatigue. Productions such as Watch on the Rhine, The Moon Is Down, Tomorrow the World, and A Bell for Adano encouraged public discussion of the war's impact on daily life and raised critical questions about the conflict well before other forms of popular media.

American drama of the 1940s is frequently overlooked, but the plays performed during this eventful decade provide a picture of the rich and complex experience of living in the United States during the war years. McLaughlin and Parry's work fills a significant gap in the history of theater and popular culture, showing that American society was more divided and less idealistic than the received histories of the WWII home front and the entertainment industry recognize.

The book is published by The University Press of Kentucky. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2021 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2022 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"McLaughlin and Parry have taken on much impressive research to accomplish this project, revealing a fascinating depiction of connections among theatrical history, culture, and politics." (Hometowns to Hollywood)

"Impeccably researched study..." (Stage and Cinema)

"An engaging, thorough...work about an overlooked period of American drama." (Library Journal)