The Group Theatre

<p> This book examines the history and influence of the Group Theatre the most significant acting company in America. Founded during the Great Depression the Group presented the first plays of Clifford Odets Sidney Kingsley and William Saroyan and launched the careers of Franchot Tone John Garfield Elia Kazan Lee J. Cobb Karl Malden Martin Ritt and Luther Adler. The intense realism of their performances inspired generations of writers actors and directors in both theater and film.</p><p> After the Group closed its former members directed or produced the Broadway plays <I>Brigadoon A Streetcar Named Desire Death of a Salesman Camino Real Bus Stop The Music Man Equus</I> and <I>Yentl</I>. In Hollywood Group alumni produced directed or starred in the award-winning films <I>On the Waterfront East of Eden Twelve Angry Men Hud Fail-Safe 1776 Serpico Network Norma Rae</I> and <I>The Verdict</I>. Four of the nation's best-known acting teachers--Lee Strasberg Sanford Meisner Robert Lewis and Stella Adler--came from the Group. The studios they established remain the most highly regarded acting schools in the world with venues on four continents.</p>