Theatre Books

Of all the books currently published on Sondheim's musicals, Gordon gives the best academic treatment to his works. Mainly a formal analysis of the shows, she peppers in enough historical and biographical facts to provide any reader with a better understanding of the plays. The chapter on _Sunday_ is particularly good. It does help to be familiar with the shows before reading, as Gordon wastes little time on plot synopsis. A must for any Sondheim scholar.

Whether you are well versed in all of Sondheim or have just seen a show once this books covers everthing from plot, to technique, to reviews. I used this for my thesis on Sondheim and found it very informative.

This book takes us musical-by-musical through some of the most famous and artistically valuable of Sondheim's musicals (the latest entry being Assassins). Each chapter looks at the musical with a critical eye (or listens with a critical ear, as the case may be) and responds to criticism about the musical in question. This is not a book simply about selling Sondheim - when the author is unimpressed, she lets us know. But Gordan finds much to admire in Sondheim's musicals, and helps us to appreciate that. Each chapter outlines in detail the plot, characters, and songs - especially useful for in-depth study. You can't get much more specific without actually taking out the libretto or following along in the score! All her arguments are well-founded and supported with examples from the text. The use of lyrics is especially appropriate. This book is especially valuable from a literary and theatrical standpoint. The observations on the music itself are correct, but not plentiful, as Gordan's expertise is in theatre, not music. Accessible to the casual audience member and the Sondheim groupie.

I loved this book as a child and still have the original printing which I read to my boys. My 7 year old especially loves it. This story follows Primrose Woodmouse one evening as she wanders into the woods. At the end, evening falls and the illustrations turn eerily enchanting. This is one of those books that children as well as parents will enjoy. I look forward to finally completing my Brambly Hedge collection for my children.

There really isn't a lot of quality books about the Fall, which is a shame since it is such a lovely season. Kill Barklem books about Brambley Hedge are wonderful little tales, filled with detailed drwaings about the little community of mice. Winter is just around the corner and the harvest is not complete. crops The mice rush to collect the rest of their crops before the rain begins. The wealthy Lord Woodmouse's daughter tries to help out in earnest but has wandered into the Woods. Now she is lost and scared, and it is after dark. Thrilling little tale that is worth it for the artwork alone.

First published in 1980, Autumn Story follows Lord Woodmouse's daughter through her adventures exploring the delights of autumn harvest in the woods, until she realizes she is lost. As always, remarkable illustrations of blackberry brambles and fauna seen only by tiny folk bring both authenticity and charm.

The proess of getting the book was excellent. I got the book as expected. Excellent customer service.

Continuing a tradition of publishing a series that has become the measurement of play-writing excellence over the decades, Applause produces The Best American Short Plays 2003-04, which identifies new cutting edge playwrights who've produced winners. 12 plays - half written by women - reflect the latest industry achievers and are some of the best in print, making this a top pick for any drama collection.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

These 12 plays take issues of the recent past (50-60 years) and puts them into short, entertaining one-acts. These one-acts would be good for those needing or wanting to perform something from recent history, possibly even events that they can relate to. This book takes issues such as terrorism, life as a soldier, post 9/11 life, a "Perfect" life, anti-semitism, teachers' dreams, hysterical fans, love, deceit, choice, friendship, and betrayal. These are issues that because we can relate, the stories bring us in. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in theatre and plays.

John Gray's play, a musical tribute to Canada's famous WWI ace Billy Bishop, VC, first performed in the 1970s, has become a classic of the Canadian theatre. It is still being performed in many places in North America, as well as other parts of the world, by theatre groups, and John Gray and Eric Peterson recently (within the past year or so) reprised their roles in "Billy Bishop Goes To War" on stage for a new generation of Canadians. The play is not only entertaining but also reasonably historically accurate, and the music is excellent. The play is sophisticated in its treatment of the subject, hilarious in places, and rather moving. When it was first performed, quite a few World War One flyers were still around to see the play, and many of them gave it high marks. It would have been fun to know what Bishop would have thought of it, had he lived into his eighth decade. The book is recommended, but make sure to see the play if it comes to your neighbourhood. By the way, Gray has also written a musical on the life of woman flyer Amelia Earhart.

John Gray's play, a musical tribute to Canada's famous WWI ace Billy Bishop, VC, first performed in the 1970s, has become a classic of the Canadian theatre. It is still being performed in many places in North America, as well as other parts of the world, by theatre groups, and John Gray and Eric Peterson recently (within the past year or so) reprised their roles in "Billy Bishop Goes To War" on stage for a new generation of Canadians. The play is not only entertaining but also reasonably historically accurate, and the music is excellent. The play is sophisticated in its treatment of the subject, hilarious in places, and rather moving. When it was first performed, quite a few World War One flyers were still around to see the play, and many of them gave it high marks. It would have been fun to know what Bishop would have thought of it, had he lived into his eighth decade. The book is recommended, but make sure to see the play if it comes to your neighbourhood. By the way, Gray has also written a musical on the life of woman flyer Amelia Earhart.

John Gray's play, a musical tribute to Canada's famous WWI ace Billy Bishop, VC, first performed in the 1970s, has become a classic of the Canadian theatre. It is still being performed in many places in North America, as well as other parts of the world, by theatre groups, and John Gray and Eric Peterson recently (within the past year or so) reprised their roles in "Billy Bishop Goes To War" on stage for a new generation of Canadians. The play is not only entertaining but also reasonably historically accurate, and the music is excellent. The play is sophisticated in its treatment of the subject, hilarious in places, and rather moving. When it was first performed, quite a few World War One flyers were still around to see the play, and many of them gave it high marks. It would have been fun to know what Bishop would have thought of it, had he lived into his eighth decade. The book is recommended, but make sure to see the play if it comes to your neighbourhood. By the way, Gray has also written a musical on the life of woman flyer Amelia Earhart.

One thing about Professor Moore: the man rides motorcycles and has more energy than a 6-year old. He's not the average UCLA professor.

Thus, you should be aware that the book reflects it's writer's personality. The book is not only informative, but a pretty fun read as well. Friends from other law schools tell me how dry and dull their entertainment law texts are - a fact which absolutely boggles my mind. The Biz is concisely written, and filled with lively examples

Mr. Moore teaches at UCLA, and his course is extraordinarily well attended. His book is considered a must-have for lawyers working in Entertainment, and although the focus is law, I think it would be a handy reference for anyone new to the creative side of Entertainment, especially those seeking to protect themselves and their interests when making deals and such.

I was afraid when I picked up _The Biz_ that it was going to be a dry read-- legal aspects of any business are not known for being a scintillating read. However, I am happy to report that it was not only a quick and interesting read, it was a genuinely funny one. Moore had me laughing out loud on several occasions.

Even granted that this is not a book you read for the humor, it is refreshing to see a reference book so well written. My only quarrel was that I would have liked to see a bibliography included with the book in case I wanted to go in depth into any of the areas covered.

As a fan of Alec Guinness, it gave me additional insight to this great actor's life. It made me want to learn more and more about him, read books on him and see his movies again A great actor.

Sir Alec writes beautifully and simply about the his life through the lives that affected him. Funny, honest, and thought provoking. He's not at all the stereotypical stuffy Englishman, but a regular person with a huge amount of talent and alot of great stories to tell. This book should be back in print!

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE stands out in my reading as one of the most enjoyable autobiographies I've ever encountered. Unlike so many actors, Alec Guinness is a truly modest man, and his wry humor and ability to laugh at himself are extraordinarily refreshing. Guinness is worth reading even if you've never seen one of his movies or plays or television appearances. It is a damn shame that this fine book is apparently out of print.

Edit: My review refers to the L.A. Theaterworks production.

I've seen many productions of this play on film, stage and radio and this is, far and away, the best production ever. A different, more English tone takes this production a million miles away from the well known film version and, charming though Rex Harrison et al are, this is all the better for being different.

Ian Ogilvy shines as the misogynistic Charles who carries a torch for his first wife despite his best efforts. Rosalind Ayres is fine as the slighted Ruth, playing it with a wonderful, indignant tone. But the undisputed star of the show is Judy Geeson who plays the mischevious Elvira with such wonderful drawling tones it's a delight to listen to her. I only wish we heard the word 'beastly' more in conversation!

Of my many audio books, this is absolutely my favourite but wonderful as it is, I'm just sorry that this was radio and not stage or screen. What a fabulous production it would have been.

One can't help but laugh from beginning to end.Yet the argument is very sombre,and could have been the argument of the most grim drama of a German playwriter. It's the wit of Coward, his genius of combining the petty ridiculous whit the dramatic that makes this drama just perfect.Coward's practical views on the supernatural are absolutely irresistible. A must for the occult believer and for the skeptic as well!

The performances are top-notch in this hilarious British comedy. When the ghost of a dead wife is unleashed on his household by a wacky clairvoyant a man must struggle to meet the demands of all wives, both dead and alive. Noel Coward's comedy is fill with plenty of laughs. The sound quality of this cassette is excellent. If you like books on tape you should try all that L.A. Theatre Works has to offer.

This radio theatre production of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer was simply amazing. Though I admire Focus on the Family as a great organization, I have not traditionally thought of them as a bastion of creative energy and artistic excellence. However, the production quality of "Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom" was top-notch. The vocal actors were fantastic (though the French accent of one character seemed to come and go), the script was gripping, the sound effects were perfect, the historical accuracy was stellar in all of the important places, and the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one that needs to be told. Though it's probably a little intense for young children, I'd recommend this for anyone else. I listened straight through during a recent road trip in my car, and I was disappointed when it ended. I'm glad to have discovered this gem and hope to pass it along to friends!!

Recently, especially with their release of the Chronicles of Narnia for Radio Theatre, Focus on the Family has drawn in high praise for the excellence of their productions. The actors, sound effects, scripts, pacing, and scores are all calculated to draw the listener into the world of the story. The Cost of Freedom is no exception to their standard! I bought it for my best friend who is a World War II fanatic and interested in the life of Bonhoeffer, and she was so moved by the recording that she lended it to me saying I HAD to listen. Bonhoeffer's life as it stands alone is compelling enough, but coupled with the imagination that radio theatre encourages, I found it not just enjoyable but overwhelming in its impact. The end left me in tears. Just a warning, it may not be suitable for younger children as the content and the intensity of the story may scare them. But for older children and adults, this is a great opportunity for an engaging and enjoyable journey through one very brave man's life.

A must-have for those interested in Bonhoeffer's life or curious to know about it!

Loved it. I could listen to these CDs again and again. This is a 3 CD volume of the life and ministry of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, probably most well known for his book The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer was a German Christian faced with the very difficult decision of his position as a German citizen as well as his calling as a citizen of another Kingdom. Bonhoeffer chose to put Christ first and it cost him his life.

The historical value alone of these CDs is worth the buy -- they do an outstanding job of giving the listener a real feel for what was really happening in Germany at the beginning of the 1900s -- which was the center for almost all world affairs for the first half of the twentieth century! I would highly suggest these CDs to any individual, but especially to those younger students middle school and above who are hungry to not only learn about the tumultuous times in history, but also want to be challenged with how they should live in our current cultural crisis. We have a lot to learn from the life of Bonhoeffer and these CDs are an outstanding way to introduce this man of God to another generation.

"Brothers Karamozov" is so good right from the first paragraph that I literally could not put it down -- I read it while cooking, during an ultrasound exam (!), even for 5 minutes in church! It's a grand, sweeping epic of a novel, which reads like the latest page-turner on the best seller list -- the characters are so vivid & real & 3D, the most amazing & appalling things keep happening to them and keep being caused by them, & yet at the same time it's a fascinating look at 19th cent. Russian life & mores, at religion, at the psychology of families....just a FANTASTIC novel, I've never read a finer one!!

This amazing epic is a story on four levels. It is a murder mystery and a character study (on a grand scale). It is also a treatise on religion as well as monumental expose of pre Bolshevik Russia. One of the truly great novels I have ever read. Enormous in scope, microscopic in detail. A challenging read that will leave you drained but wanting more.

The Brothers Karamozov is an epic yet personal novel that will knock the wind out of you. My favorite character is the vapid Grushenka who bedevils all of the slightly twisted Karamozov brothers and Father. A great book for its religious, historic, and lyrical values.

Elaine Strich becomes legendary novelist/playwright Lillian Hellman in this sometimes scathing, often tumultuous, frequently poignant account of Hellman's long term relationship with a man 25 years younger than she. There's wit, there's passion - all delivered by an A-one cast performing live in Los Angeles.

Elaine Stritch is Lillian Hellman herself, showing her stubbornness and fragility very well. I'm touched by Bruce Davison's calm narration with passion reserved inside.

What I like "Cakewalk" best is no border between stage and audience. Listening to this audio, I feel like I've been living with two writers in the very same place and time, sharing their joy, anger, pain and struggle as a writer and human. All scenes with full-color appear before us, then we are not an observer any more. This will invite you to consider what real relationship is. Peter Feibleman is the greatest natural born artist.

Elaine Stritch is incredible in this recording. Though I have only minor familiarity with Lillian Hellman, this play is simultaneously light and dark, humorous and serious, and a perfect portrait of two artists together through time. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.