Publisher's Synopsis
Despite its remoteness, Kentucky emerged as a prime site for theatrical activity in the ""Wild West"" of the 1790s. During the 19th century, Kentucky hosted nearly all the major stars of the touring circuits. Most towns constructed increasingly elaborate opera houses, which stood as objects of community pride and symbols of culture, and when live performances gave way to moving pictures, the grand movie palaces were no less ornate than their predecessors. This work is a social and architectural history of Kentucky's theatres, paying special attention to the actors who performed in them and the audiences who saw it all.
