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Not only will Modern Theatre Online lay before you the theatre productions themselves, but the Web site will also relate fascinating and newsworthy events and theatre lore, changing mores, important laws and new technologies, These developments were significant in shaping theatre as we know it today and continue to make theater the ever-changing artistic medium that excites audiences all over the world.

In addition to covering the world-renowned theatre centers of New York and London, we intend, from time to time, to include major theatrical events in cities as well -- productions such as those of the Royal Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, or world premieres of plays by major authors in Chicago, Los Angeles, Edinburgh or Dublin. Our Web site format allows our staff to constantly update and keep au courant with what is happening on the theatre scene nationally and internationally. Our feedback page will allow our audience to send additional information which previously has not been portrayed.

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The long-term objective, after achieving our target of comprehensive coverage for New York and London, will be to move on to the inclusion of theatrical events in other locations, eventually in other languages.  Our major theatre categories for the Web site include: Productions, People/Corporations, Places, Awards, Theater Laws and Technology, with Bulletin Board and Feedback pages for audience interactive participation. In the interest of including as much information as possible without crowding the Web site, the project has sometimes broadened the Web site's categories, making do with a slightly less rigorous order. What follows are some general clarifications, which may be helpful to understanding Modern Theater Online.

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"Production" entries start with a general synopsis -- including plot summaries, critical responses, theater location, opening and closing dates -- then continues with more detailed elements such as producers and technical and artistic talent involved in the production.

"Person" entries provide a brief overview of their life and achievements, then a record of productions in which the individual performed or to which they made a contribution.

"Author" entries are used both for playwrights and for the writer of the book in a musical.

"Music" is used for the composer of a work, which has music as its main interest or purpose -- such as a musical comedy, ballet or opera.

"Incidental Music" covers a large area, from the composer of an extensive incidental score all the way to the person in charge of simply selecting pre-recorded music to be played. When the same person is listed both for "Incidental Music" and "Sound" this last is often the case.

"Choreography" includes any person in charge of movement during musical sequences when it is not the overall director.

If more than one person is listed for any one theater position, names are not alphabetized, but are given in the order they are found in the source material.

If an evening is made up of one-act plays, it is listed under the overall title, with a note to see the individual titles. This produces some duplication. Shorter sketches, which do not have an independent life of their own, such as those found in most revues, are not listed.

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Modern Theater online is using the technology of the future to preserve the proud legacy of English-speaking theater and to be able to have audiences all over the world access this exciting heritage with the click of a button!