Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre
International in scope, this book is designed to be the pre-eminent reference work on the English-speaking theatre in the twentieth century. Arranged alphabetically, it consists of some 2500 entries written by 280 contributors from 20 countries which include not only top-level experts, but, uniquely, leading professionals from the world of theatre. A fascinating resource for anyone interested in theatre, it includes:
- Overviews of major concepts, topics and issues;
- Surveys of theatre institutions, countries, and genres;
- Biographical entries on key performers, playwrights, directors, designers, choreographers and composers;
- Articles by leading professionals on crafts, skills and disciplines including acting, design, directing, lighting, sound and voice.
Bio
As a musical theatre historian and professional performer, Anna Wheeler Gentry made her Lincoln Center [New York] concert debut in 2003 on the concert series Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke at 100. In April 2011, she presented her research and concert performance entitled “Vladimir Dukelsky: Russian Undertones with American Overtones” during the Prokofiev Festival at the P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music, Moscow, Russia (broadcast on Radio Russia).
Focusing on the restoration and preservation of historic masterpieces within the American musical theatre genre, Gentry's projects have garnered support from the American Multi-Cinema Foundation, Yip Harburg Foundation, American Music Research Center, and the Society for American Music. She is a fellow with the American Music Research Center (AMRC) at the University of Colorado-Boulder, a member of Southwest Liederkranz, as well as [American] Actors Equity, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Gentry's research has been published by Johns Hopkins, Gale, McFarland, Continuum UK, Bloomsbury Methuen, Music Library Association, and others. She is editor of, and contributor to the book In Search of Inspiration: Interviews with Notable Choral Conductors (GIA, 2021), and author of Politics on Broadway: Controversy in Red and Black (Great River Learning, 2013).
As a soprano soloist and crossover artist, she has performed operatic roles (Mozart, Britten, Gilbert & Sullivan, Persichetti), musical theatre (Sondheim, Bacharach, Gershwin, Lerner and Loewe, Rodgers and Hammerstein), as well as concert works (Stravinsky, Charpentier, Saint-Saëns, Brahms, Haydn) in cities across the country. As a stage director and production dramaturg, she has done work for the Phoenix Symphony, University of Colorado's College of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Black Theatre Troupe, Arizona State University, University of Alabama, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and the former ASU Sundome. Gentry has studied voice with Michael Cousins of the Metropolitan Opera, Arlene Augér at the Aspen Music School, and Randi Marrazzo of the Opera Company of Philadelphia, coached repertoire with Tom Jaber at the Academy of Vocal Arts, conducting with George Lynn, and studied jazz piano and improvisation with Bob Arnold of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Gentry is the 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award (for Loretto Heights College), at Regis University, Denver, CO.
