"Tennessee Williams is synonymous with 20th-century theatre. For nearly half a century, he wrote plays that transformed stages and amazed audiences around the world. He changed the way sets are represented, characters are expressed, and ideas about sexuality and desire are conveyed. Many of his plays have been made into films, testifying to his tremendous popularity. His plays continue to be produced, and they are discussed by high school students and scholars alike. This book is a comprehensive guide to his life and career." "Through roughly 160 alphabetically arranged entries, the encyclopedia: identifies major figures in Williams' life; names his characters and specifies their significance; summarizes his plays, stories, and poems; discusses his sources and publications; provides performance histories; and surveys important film adaptations."--Jacket.