LibGuides: Theatre Research Guide: Reviews

How to Locate Performance Reviews

Databases listed below are useful for locating performance reviews.
Remember when searching for these reviews...

Watch the date of your performance and adjust your search.
New York Times reviews are a better choice than a local newspaper.
This campus is referred as Cal State Fullerton in newspapers,

Music Periodicals Database This link opens in a new window
This database has two parts: IIPA (Performing Arts) & IIMP (Music Periodicals)When searching for reviews, search both parts.
Next to Document Type type in "Performance Review." 1 month time lag before review appears.
Performing Arts Periodicals Database This link opens in a new window
Formerly known as International Index to Performing Arts Full Text (IIPAFT). The Performing Arts Periodicals Database is a dynamic resource for the performing arts that provides indexing and abstracts for more than 210 international journals. International index for articles from performing arts journals and magazines. Database includes all aspects for the performing arts from theatre to the entertainment industry. The Performing Arts Periodicals Database is the performing arts section within this database. It can be searched separately or in a combined search with the Music Periodicals Database (formerly known as International Index of Music Periodicals Full Text), the music periodicals sections of the database.
Academic Search Premier
Indexes journals. magazines, newspapers back to 1980. Includes classical performances but the strength of this database is popular topics.
Under Search Options, scroll down to document type and choose performance review
International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance with full text This link opens in a new window
In the first search box, type the name of the piece
In the second search box, type...Theatre Reviews
OR type...Entertainment Review and change the drop down box to SU Subject Terms
RILM Abstracts of Music Literature This link opens in a new window
Includes reviews, though RILM is primarily scholarly research.
On the opening search screen, limit you search to document type...Review of Performance.
In the first search box, enter the title of the piece and/or other identifying information.
Los Angeles Times: 1996-present This link opens in a new window
Provides full-text (HTML text, not PDF) of the 'Los Angeles Times' newspaper. Searchable by keyword, subject, author, and other means. Provides a Topic Guide of subjects, and has a Search Alert service. No images (charts, graphs, photos) are included.
Los Angeles Times Historical This link opens in a new window
This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.
New York Times - 1980-present This link opens in a new window
Provides full-text (HTML text, not PDF) of the 'New York Times' newspaper. Searchable by keyword, subject, author, and other means. Provides a Topic Guide of subjects, and has a Search Alert service.
New York Times Historical This link opens in a new window
This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily-searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.
US Newsstream This link opens in a new window
Provides access to many major U.S. and international newspapers, including local titles (LA Times, Orange County Register) and national titles.
Westlaw Next Campus Research This link opens in a new window
Westlaw Next Campus Research is a comprehensive legal database, which includes federal and all 50 states materials; such as statutes, regulations, briefs, proposed and enacted legislation and the US Code Annotated. This database also includes West's KeyCite feature for verification of the status of a case, statute, administrative decision, or regulation and Wests Key Number System.

How do I Locate Book Reviews?

This page explains the process of locating book reviews in Pollak Library.

1. Determine the database to search by answering the following questions:

When was the book published?
Reviews usually come out within 2-3 years of a book's publication date, so choose a database (or paper index) that covers that time period.

What type of review do you need? (general interest or scholarly)
General interest reviews may be found in newspapers or magazines, like the New York Review of Books or the Los Angeles Times. Scholarly reviews are found in journals and tend to be more in-depth.

Which field of study does your book fall into? (history, environmental studies, etc.)
Some of the subject-specific databases listed by Major/Subject under Find Articles on the library home page may have reviews of your book.

2. Pick an appropriate database.

3. Use a flexible search strategy.

Since the author and title of the book review are not the same as the author and title of the book being reviewed, you may need to try either of the following strategies:

Search the book author's last name and several distinctive words from the book title using Keyword or All fields, depending on the database.

Theatre Research Guide: Reviews

How to Locate Performance Reviews

How do I Locate Book Reviews?

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