The performing arts : a guide to the reference literature /

Simons updates such older bibliographies as Marion Whalon's Performing Arts Research (CH, Jul'77), filling a need for a current annotated bibliography in this area. This volume, unfortunately, purposely ignores music (except for theatrical musical comedies), film, and television because these are included in other volumes in the "Reference Sources in Humanities Series"; users are left, therefore, with a guide to the literature of theater, dance, puppetry, mime, magic, and the circus. The 757 entries emphasize English-language publications of the last 30 years, though older standard items are also mentioned. In addition to reference books, the bibliography lists periodicals, libraries, archives, associations, and electronic discussion groups. Annotations are evaluative and informative, though occasionally incomplete (e.g., the entry on Performing Arts/Books in Print fails to note that the serial was continued by Annotated Bibliography of New Publications in the Performing Arts). Although its title is a bit misleading, within its narrowly circumscribed range this book is a highly current and useful bibliography enabling one to gain quick insight into the field. Undergraduate and graduate collections. W. Miller; Florida Atlantic University

Coverage in this guide to the literature is limited to theater and dance, plus a few items on puppetry, mime, magic, and the circus, since film, television, and music are covered in other volumes in the Reference Sources in the Humanities series. The work lists 557 books, periodicals, electronic discussion groups, libraries and archives, and professional organizations. Books are divided by typebibliographies, indexes, biographical sources, etc. Most titles listed are in English, but important foreign-language works such as the Enciclopedia dello spettacolo are included. Coverage seems current through 1992. Both online and electronic versions of titles are noted when available, though the author missed The Music Index on CD-ROM. The excellent substantial annotations compare and contrast items and are the strong point of the volume. Separate author-title and subject indexes aid access. There is no similar guide to the reference literature of theater and dance, so this book will be useful for collection development and reference in public and academic libraries. Another useful title in a very useful series. Sandy Whiteley (Reviewed July 1994)