{"product_id":"ensemble-an-oral-history-of-chicago-theater-9781572842342","title":"Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater","description":"\u003cb\u003eChicago is a bona fide theater town, bursting with an explosive, innovative vitality that's fed every sector of the entertainment industry--from Hollywood to Broadway to Studio 8H--for as long as it's delighted adoring local fans.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eEnsemble\u003c\/i\u003e is an in-depth, first-of-its-kind history of Chicago's internationally celebrated theater scene, spanning 65 years and told through first-person accounts from the people who made it happen. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAmong many other topics, this book explores the early days of the fabled Compass Players and the legendary Second City in the '50s and '60s; the rise of internationally acclaimed ensembles like Steppenwolf in the '70s; the explosion of storefront and neighborhood companies that began in earnest in the '80s; and the enduring global influence of the city as the center of improv training and performance. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Drawing from more than 300 interviews, author Mark Larson has woven a narrative that expresses the spirit of Chicago's ensemble ethos: the voices of celebrities such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Asner, George Wendt, Michael Shannon, and Tracy Letts comingle with stories from designers, composers, and others who have played a crucial role in making Chicago theater so powerful, influential, and unique.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMark Larson\u003c\/b\u003e is a teacher and academic turned oral historian. He curates the website American Stories Continuum.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Agate Midway","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50524838265106,"sku":"9781572842342","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_edf7ba28-4683-438c-a53c-443828af0e84.jpg?v=1731194663","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/ensemble-an-oral-history-of-chicago-theater-9781572842342","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}