Publisher's Synopsis
This book demonstrates the wealth, variety, and cultural impact that Iowa opera houses had and continue to have on towns large and small; locates them geographically and describes and illustrates their exterior and interior physical characteristics with over 500 photographs. Although Iowa is primarily a rural state, the authors have documented the existence of over 1200 opera houses operating in Iowa between 1865 and 1920. Most studies in American Theatre History have concentrated their attention on the theatre in the bigger cities. This study will model a more accurate picture of exactly what happened in the less well-known but crucially important smaller cities and towns between 1865 and 1920. The authors believe that the story of Iowa opera houses serves as a microcosm of the popular theatre of the entire country. "A beautiful and enlightening book.
