Performing Patriotism

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Selected by "Choice" magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title, this work explores the burgeoning interest in theatrical performances among North American colonists during the eighteenth century. As colonists became increasingly familiar with the British dramatic canon, they sought both the latest London hits and plays centered on patriotic British themes. This evolving interest in theater coincided with deteriorating relations with the crown, leading to the use of dramatic texts as a framework for political discourse on colonial policy. These theatrical works transitioned to print, utilizing dramatic narratives and metaphors for political leverage. As the Revolution approached, American propaganda plays emerged, marking the beginnings of a unique patriotic drama while still emphasizing the British roots of American identity. The study delves into the significance of theatrical performance and printed drama in shaping early American political culture. By building on the notion that theater served as a school for public virtue, the author illustrates the connections between the popularity of performances in British North America and the national identities that colonists and Revolutionary figures embraced. The result is a comprehensive examination of eighteenth-century American theater history and print culture, shedding light on the interplay between performance and political identity during a pivotal era.