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On April 23 the world will celebrate the birthday of William Shakespeare, the world's greatest living playwright. Coinciding with the 444th anniversary of his birth, an unusual guide to Shakespeare's plays is being released.

THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS (Penguin/Alpha Books; April 2008; $18.95) brings Shakespeare's 400-year-old dramas alive in a new introduction for students, playgoers, and general readers. This new book reminds us that Shakespearean theatre is a social art form. Understanding the Bard's plays lies within everyone's grasp and doesn't have to be a dull academic exercise.

Written by Cynthia Greenwood, a performing arts journalist and critic who has taught Shakespeare's plays to college students, the guide offers the essence and experience of the Shakespearean spoken word. It does much more than dissect great soliloquies on the page.

This guide is an invaluable reference tool for high school and university students, drama students, professional and amateur actors, teachers, playgoers, drama critics, and casual readers -- or anyone who wants to discover, brush up on or reacquaint themselves with Shakespeare's plays. Inside the book:

- Cultural and historical contexts are provided for 20 major plays, using refreshing perspectives from directors and actors in lengthy, original commentary;

- Each major play is explored in depth, explaining Shakespearean terms;

- Each chapter offers close attention to language and verse;

- Appendices include Shakespeare's likely collaborations with other playwrights, a glossary, suggested further reading, and resources for viewing live performances and video/audio recordings.

Introductory chapters also remind us that Shakespeare was at the forefront of Western show business. (Most Americans don't think about Shakespeare as a highly talented entrepreneur -- they think of him as the author of plays they couldn't get excited about in school.) This book brings you closer to the heady, behind-the-scenes world of freelance playwriting and the London theatre scene of the 1590s. It also lends insight into decisions that theatre people make while acting and staging Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Hamlet, and Macbeth, to name a few.

About the author:

Cynthia Greenwood is an editor, writer, and performing arts critic based in Houston, Texas. For the last 10 years, she has reviewed opera and theatrical productions, ballet theatre, and classical music. She has published arts reports and reviews in such publications as The New York Times, Playbill, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Andante, among others. From 1998 until 2002, she served as the opera and classical music critic for the Houston Press. She taught English and American literature and introduction to film to undergraduates at Wharton County Junior College for nine years.

Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., publishes high- quality lifestyle and reference books in 30 different categories. The Complete Idiot's Guides, Alpha Teach Yourself in 24 Hours, At Your Fingertips -- as well as other series and stand-alone titles -- provide helpful how-to information and general knowledge in an easily accessible manner.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Shakespeare's Plays

Author: Cynthia Greenwood

$18.95, 368 pages, 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8, paperback,

ISBN-10: 1592577083; ISBN-13: 978-1592577088

Alpha Books, April 2008

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Gardi Wilks or Patty Henek, 708-366-3839

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