Theatre/Theater: U.S. usage - rec.arts.theatre.musicals

Message from discussion Theatre/Theater: U.S. usage

L Chandler

More options Jul 27 1999, 3:00 am

Newsgroups: rec.arts.theatre.musicals

From: "L Chandler" <Gemini...@hotmail.com>

Date: 1999/07/27

Subject: Re: Theatre/Theater: U.S. usage

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When referring to a building I have always used theater. When referr-
ing to an art form I have always used theatre. God Bless.
L. Chandler
Gemini...@hotmail.com

Stephen Oles <mur...@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:7nkp00$r3d$1@ash.prod.itd.earthlink.net...

> In the FAQ, I notice, it says that RATM eschews the American practice of
> spelling theatre with an "er". Okay by me.

> But as an American, I've always thought we draw a distinction between a
> "theater" (a building) and the "theatre" (an art form). While I believe
in
> England and elsewhere the two senses of the word are spelled the same way.

> My fellow Americans, is this the practice you follow? Or am I confused
> here. Perhaps there is no hard and fast rule (the dictionary lists both
> spellings as proper.) I've always written:

> That college has a beautiful theater. BUT ...
> I love musical theatre.

> What do y'all do?

> Pedantic Steve in VB

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