By Judy Samelson
16 Jan 2010

Theatre World: Volume 65, 2008–2009
Edited by Ben Hodges
Published by: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
Publication Date: November 2009
List price: $44.99 Hardcover; 432 pages, illustrated

This annual publication, now in its 65th year, has become the definitive record of the theatrical season on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway. The book, which also includes detailed information on touring and regional companies, covers hundreds of productions — complete cast listings, producers, directors, authors, composers, opening and closing dates, song titles and plot synopses. The reference also includes lists of nominees and winners of the major theatrical awards as well as obituaries. The stars came out last season, and Volume 65 is chock full of information on the Elton John-composed Billy Elliot; Jane Fonda in 33 Variations; Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon in Exit the King; James Gandolfini, Jeff Daniels, Marcia Gay Harden and Hope Davis in God of Carnage; Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons in Impressionism; Kristin Scott Thomas in The Seagull; Daniel Radcliffe in Equus; and Tovah Feldshuh in Off-Broadway's Irena's Vow. Regional companies also get their due with coverage of shows like A Civil War Christmas at New Haven's Long Wharf Theater and Minsky's at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. This theatre lover's page-turner also includes 400 color and black and white photos, bringing last season's shows to life.

The Necessity of Theater: The Art of Watching and Being Watched
By Paul Woodruff
Published by: Oxford University Press
Publication Date: February 2010
List price: $17.95 paperback; 272 pages

Paul Woodruff, Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Texas at Austin and noted Plato and Socrates scholar has turned his philosophical eye toward the theatre in this book that examines what is essential about this ancient art form. The book, notes the publisher, is the first "in a generation by a philosopher about the art of theatre as distinct from the arts of film and literature." Taking the view that live theatre is as necessary to the human experience as language, Woodruff analyzes the theory that all theatre—from the traditional to sporting events and social rituals—has the power to transform not only the lives of the watched (performers) but also that of the watchers (audiences). Publisher notes describe the "twin arts of watching and being watched" this way: "Whereas performers practice the art of being watched—making their actions worth watching and paying attention to action, choice, plot, character, mimesis and the sacredness of performance space—audiences practice the art of watching: paying close attention . . . their engagement takes a form of empathy that can lead to a special kind of human wisdom." The question of whether or not we need theatre is enthusiastically answered in the affirmative in this provocative study.

A View from the Bridge
By Arthur Miller
Published by: Penguin Classics
Publication Date: December 16, 2009
List price: $12 paperback; 96 pages

This recently published version of Arthur Miller's play — with a Foreword by Oscar winner and Tony-nominated actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman — coincides with the Broadway revival (now in previews) that opens Jan. 24 at the Cort Theatre, directed by Gregory Mosher. Liev Schreiber stars as Eddie Carbone who spends his days working as a longshoreman on Brooklyn's waterfront and his nights with wife Beatrice (Jessica Hecht) and niece Catherine, played by Scarlett Johansson in her Broadway debut. The comfort and stability of Eddie's life is challenged with the arrival of Beatrice's relatives, illegal immigrants from Italy. When Catherine falls in love with one of them, it ignites feelings of jealousy and rage in Eddie that lead to tragic, devastating consequences.

2009: The Best New Playwrights
Edited by Lawrence Harbison
Published by: Smith & Kraus
Publication Date: December 1, 2009
List price: $19.95 paperback; 356 pages

Lawrence Harbison has a nose for the work of talented playwrights. For over 30 years he was in charge of new play acquisition for Samuel French, Inc., where his work on behalf of writers saw the first publication of plays from the likes of Tina Howe, Theresa Rebeck, Charles Fuller and Ken Ludwig, among others. Now a freelancer, he edits annual anthologies of plays, the latest of which gathers his personal choices for the finest plays by American Playwrights from the 2008–2009 season. The seven plays included are: Lloyd Shuh's American Hwangap, about a Korean family's 60th birthday celebration (a hwangap) for the father who deserted them years ago; Rajiv Joseph's Animals Out of Paper, a comedy about the art of origami; Steven Leigh Morris' Beachwood Drive, a drama about a Ukrainian woman working as a prostitute in Los Angeles and her relationship with a cop; Catherine Trieschmann's Crooked, the story of a young girl with a crooked spine who moves to another town with her mother and whose life is changed by a new acquaintance; Deborah Zoe Laufer's End Days, about the surreal Stein family and how their lives are straightened out by an Elvis-jumpsuit-wearing neighbor; Beau Williams' Farragut North, a drama about unscrupulous behavior on the campaign trail; and Wayne Lemon's Jesus Hates Me, a comedy set in West Texas at a religious-themed mini-golf track called "Blood of the Lamb."

Judy Samelson, former editor of Playbill, gathers information on theatre-related books, including published plays, for Playbill.com's monthly Shelf Life column. Write her at jsamelson@playbill.com.