Theatre Books

The Bright Lights takes us on and off Broadway with Marian Seldes. This teaches you how to act on stage how to Audition for a good part and a not so good part how to deal with hurt and disapointments on stage and being in a long run such as Equis and Deathtrap. You learn of her sharing the stage with Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Tony Perkins not with gossip but real observations of the theatre. She had to get used to a new director in The Chalk Garden when one was replaced before the Broadway but she shares lessons from that.We learn of her Expirences as a teacher in the Drama divison of Julliard. Her Tv appearnces and Radio apperance on Himan Browns Mystery Theatre.We learn how the Death of Zereo Mostel changed the course of a play.Marian Seldes came up working with Judith Anderson , Katharine Cornell and Sir John Gielgud among others.This is a great teaching book dealing with the inns and outsof the theatre without glitter and told with caring for fellow actors. In one way I compare it to Charles Grodens book it would be nice if you were not hear in that it shows how to deal with rejection.The Bright Lights should be reprinted so people wanting to be in the theatre learn what to expect along the way.

Once again Elizabeth Sharland has managed to combine theatrical and social history in, so far as I know, the first-ever inclusive account of the Brits on Broadway, what the invasion did both to the invaders and the invaded. At a time when, after a couple of decades in apparent slumber, the New York theatre has again awoken to its own native musical and dramatic talent, it is good to be reminded of the years when it was, amazingly, the British who were essentially keeping the fabulous invalid on a life-support machine.

This is the story of how, for a brief shining moment, Leicester Square got to Times Square.

"Broadway After Dark" gives a fascinating portrait of the New York theater over nearly a century, with profiles of everyone from Eugene O'Neill and Moss Hart, interviewed by Ward Morehouse in the first half of the last century, to Hugh Jackman and Kitty Carlisle Hart, just a few of those who talked with Ward Morehouse III, who put together this book as a tribute to his late father, the legendary Broadway columnist. It belongs on the bookshelf of any theater buff who loves to dig deep into the history of the stars and the shows that have lit up Broadway.

Amazing collection of Broadway songs for soprano - favorites like 'I Could Have Danced All Night,' 'Wouldn't it be Loverly?' 'Think of Me,' and 'In My Own Little Corner.'

This massive volume showcases just about every production to hit the Broadway stage in the last sixty years-each production has a brief synopsis of plot-tryout problems-backstage squabbles-cast listings-musical numbers used in each production and even songs deleted before the shows' opening-the length of the run and profit or loss-and every show that has had mutiple revivals-the info on the revival or revivals follows the original production section. This is not a book that can be read in a short period of time but is so well presented the reader can always pick it up turn to any page and find some wonderful tidbit. the only drawbacks is the bulky gargantuan size of the book, the gargantuan price,no photos and the teeny-weeny print. but then if the print was larger you would probably need a fork-lift to carry the book-forget the size-forget the price- forgive the lack of photos-this book is a must.

For anyone who wants info on some of Broadways most and least known shows currently playing, Mr. Suskin's book is an ideal source. Having only seen the Producers out of the all the titles reviewed, I was very grateful for the in-depth reviews given on each play. I plan on buying the other two volumes. Great for any Broadway fan.

Much more than just a pretty coffee table book, "Broadway Day and Night" takes the reader 'backstage and behind the scenes' with photographs and, more importantly, with anecdotes and stories which anyone who loves the theatre will absolutely delight in.

Collected in this volume are celebrities from Carol Channing on the art of auditioning to Nathan Lane on performing a Noel Coward play with the formidable George C. Scott; Larry Gelbart writing about being in New Haven (and in trouble) with the original production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum" and Uta Hagen co-starring with Paul Robeson in "Othello" while facing segregation & racism in almost every city to which she toured.

Serious and charming, funny and sad in turns, the book is absolutely essential reading for anyone who wants to make a career in theatre or simply is delighted by this profession and art. Not just performers are represented, but costumers, wig makers, stage managers, casting directors, conductors, etc. The people included are the cream of the crop. And they are willing to share sometimes intimate--always entertaining stories of their lives and profession.

Hal Thau's career, as with most high achievers, is a study of perseverance, determination and introspection. As he discusses the "pioneering spirit" in one chapter, the reader sees clearly through his examples and experiences that Thau does indeed have the pioneering spirit...and the ability to work with others (actors, entertainers, etc.) who also have it to help them "focus." I found his mix of sharing about the celebrities he managed and the personal glimpses of his own life and values excellent. I also appreciated Thau's poetic way of expressing things...his observations and introspection are thoughtfully and often poignantly expressed... It is so very interesting to read of this man's success in show business/management/producing and to also see he has kept his feet on the ground. His is an example of a life in which both worldly success and personal success are achieved and balanced. I highly recommend this book for all who share an entrepreneurial spirit--for all who seek to follow their dreams...it is an inspiring and insightful book.

I was in the show of this at Theatre Arlington this summer and fell in love with it! I got the movie of it and found it enjoyable but not the same as the produvtion I was in. It has 5 scenes and 12 songs. 2 of them are solos and the rest are group songs. This is not the full show that was done on Broadway. It is the scrypt of the Jr. Adapted for kids in junior high and younger. Some congs are cut, some scenes are cut, and scenes are reversed and added. This is a very good show and it was a joy to be in!

Here was my take on the audio- Hannah, a widowed minister, hires a young gay assistant, Brandt, to help her write a book about a newly discovered gospel. Her slacker gay son, Thomas has returned and the two young men have enough in common that they start to bond, despite their differences towards religion. Hannah's personal problems are at the heart of the play... I felt the emotional rollercoaster ride while listening to this audio.