Disney's Book Of Theatre

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:39pm

From this mornings variety.


NEW YORK -- The legit business can befuddle professionals -- quick, explain the difference between a cover and a swing -- so to youngsters just catching the theater bug, it can seem overwhelming. But now those budding legiters can turn to "How Does the Show Go On?," a pedigreed, kid-friendly book about life behind the footlights.
Published by Disney Editions and written by Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney Theatrical Prods., with Jeff Kurtti, the tome unsurprisingly uses Mouse tuners like "The Lion King" and "Mary Poppins" to demonstrate everything from backstage rituals to what producers do.

However, the book is more than a hardcover ad. Along with 128 pages of information, it includes elaborate features -- like a pull-out chart of a "Lion King" actor in various stages of makeup -- meant to allure young-adult readers.

But fancy packaging aside, are kids really clamoring to understand the meaning of "dry tech" or learn the minutiae of a publicist's job ?

Along with bemused professionals, Schumacher believes his audience will be kids itching to belong to a theater community. "If the book succeeds on the level I'm hoping for, then it will enable people to better understand and appreciate what they're seeing," he says.

He also hopes demystifying the profession will encourage youngsters to start their own projects. "I want to remind people that the theater is something you can do just because it's fun," he explains. Hence the section on mounting your own plays.

And for those still wondering, you can read about the difference between cover and swing on the book's page 84.


http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975686.html?categoryid=15&cs=1

[henryt]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:43pm

The logical me says that any kid who would want to buy this would have to be so obsessed that they would know everything in it already, and yet, at the same time, I desperately want it. Interesting.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:46pm

I had the same feeling, but must admit i will most likely buy it.

[nealb1]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:50pm

I saw able to see an advance copy of this book about 4 months ago, and it's fantastic! I highly recommend it!
Updated On: 11/9/07 at 11:50 PM

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:57pm

Yes, it is great. I am very excited. I should get my book soon...I talked to Tom Schumacher about it and seems great, can not wait to see him at the signing next month. Been a while since I have seen him and he is a great mentor to me! I really admire him!

[nealb1]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:05am

DrTheatre, you'll love the book!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:07am

I hope by "kids" they mean a target of high school theatre students...

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:57am

nealb1, I totally feel like I am going to love it. Every time I talk (mostly e-mail) to Tom, I feel like I taking in to a world which know one really knows. I so can not wait to read it.

[nealb1]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:24am

You must let me know how you like it when you get it!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 6:59am

Lets just bump this, cause at least you all could read about the theatre, if you cannot go!

[dramarama2]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:00am

Can we please just talk about Ohio instead?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 6:21pm

.....

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 6:48pm

Amazon pre-order

http://www.amazon.com/How-Does-Show-Go-Introduction/dp/1423100883/ref=sr_1_1/105-4728608-1965259?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194738422&sr=8-1


$13.57 Updated On: 11/10/07 at 06:48 PM

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:03am

Disney and corporate theatre have only succeeded in destroying musical theater in New York, transforming Times Square into a street mall more obscene in its grotesquerie than all the previous porno parlors and whorehouses combined, and infantilized audiences for generations to come.



Jerusha Bromley
Aboard the Thetis







Updated On: 4/29/08 at 12:03 AM

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:37am

Well of course, the company that's been around for more than eight decades (it's probably a successful institution in the industry), the mother ship of Disney Theatrical Productions, knows nothing about art. I mean, look at those nasty animated movies. And how dare them touch the stage! How could children (of all ages) be introduced to the theatrical world through such travesties like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.

How did it destroy musical theater in New York? By leasing the New Amsterdam from the City of New York and giving it a new breath, mayhaps. Or by redefining the meaning of theatrical experience through the artistry of The Lion King. And yes, Disney is the one to blame for the chaos that is Times Square. Not MTV, not Virgin Records, not the Church of Scientology, not McDonald's--- just Disney. Because that company is very good in degrading and destroying this city. Or any city for that matter.

Oh well, as I ponder on these thoughts, I shall have a venti cup of Starbucks coffee, (Splenda and skim, please). There's probably 25 around the corner anyhow, thank goodness. Let me do that while I put a bullet in my brain.

Thanks for the thought, Countess!
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 12:37 AM

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:17am

"How could children (of all ages) be introduced to the theatrical world through such travesties like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid."

Thank you for supporting my point so readily. Apparently, you consider yourself a member of the sandbox set. But there was a time when Broadway was a venue of adult content, sensibility, sophistication, and (something that is no doubt unknown to you) sex. Yes, SEX!

Dorothy Brock
42nd Street Updated On: 4/29/08 at 01:17 AM

[FutureAladdinOnB'Way]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:29am

Well said being.jeremiah! EnchantedHunter, the only one in the sandbox is you because you've had your head buried in it oblivious to how much Disney has contributed for Time Square, but I guess you don't appreciate them because they removed all your porn shops and drug dealers! I'm sure Broadway today would be a great place if it was full of sex, adult content, drugs, and porn; you know, YOUR idea of sophistication. Yup, that's definitely high class art...I'm sure kids interested in theatre would love being brought up to your ideal New York.


Updated On: 11/11/07 at 02:29 AM

[Mouses Magic]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 3:44am

"Since when did Disney have ANYTHING to do with theater, musical or otherwise? They have only succeeded in destroying musical theater in New York, transforming Times Square into a street mall more obscene in its grotesquerie than all the previous porno parlors and whorehouses combined, and infantilized audiences for generations to come. If the book was honest, it would tell young up-and-comers seriously interested in a career in the theater to put a bullet in their brain."

Wow...just wow

Updated On: 11/11/07 at 03:44 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/24/07 at 5:42pm

From Playbill.com:

Every theatre professional was a child once. (Some would say many are still children.) Disney Theatricals president Tom Schumacher remembers those days when he was a stage-struck kid and recalls wishing he knew more about the art form he loved.

As an adult, and one of the most powerful people in the theatre, he has decided to do something about it for the next generation of Tommy Schumachers. The result is "How Does the Show Go On? — An Introduction to the Theatre," a colorful, photo-filled, information packed hardcover book geared toward curious children from 8 to 13. Inside, chapters ask and answer such basic questions (to theatre pros, I mean) as "What's Theatre?" and "What's It Like to Be Up Onstage?" and lead the reader through the Front of House and Backstage universes, with introductions to all the professionals found therein. Schumacher talked to Playbill.com about the book he wished he had way back when.



Playbill.com: How long has this book been in the works?

Tom Schmacher: I had been thinking of the book for a number of years, the kind of book that I wanted to have when I was a kid. When I was a kid, I subscribed to Theatre Crafts magazine. We're talking the early '70s here. That and The New Yorker. That was my connection. Most of what's in this book was shaped over the last 30 months or so. As you're probably aware, I have a job. So a lot of this book was written in tech rehearsals, on airplanes. The final draft was happening on flights between Johannesburg and Amsterdam, because we were simultaneously rehearsing The Lion King in South Africa and Tarzan in Amsterdam.

More At Link:
Tommy Schumacher

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/24/07 at 5:58pm

He's not an attractive man, is he?

I hear the book is aimed at youger than teens.

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 11/24/07 at 6:55pm

He is very cute in person. I still can not wait for the book...I am excited to read it. I know it is geared toward younger readers, but my gosh, if I learn more from this book than I have learned in this biz now, I will not be surprised. Mr. Schumacher always does well.

Mr. Schumacher grew up in theater. So he knows a lot about the theater. Some may agree that his choices are not always the best, or whatever, but remember he may be the man behind a lot of the shows that are on Broadway, but if you think he about it, he has a boss too and sometimes the choices made are not always his.... he is a great man and so glad he has done what he has done for the theater.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 11/24/07 at 7:02pm

"How could children (of all ages) be introduced to the theatrical world through such travesties like Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid."

Running for 13 years means it must not have been a huge travesty. And Mermaid has only had 2 previews, we all haven't seen it. Have you?

"Or by redefining the meaning of theatrical experience through the artistry of The Lion King."

ARTISTRY????!? Ha ha NO.

"And yes, Disney is the one to blame for the chaos that is Times Square."

What chaos? They helped clean it up and gave it a new lease on life.

[jondouglas]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 11:27am

The book looks fantastic. I preordered it all ready on Amazon. If anyone thinks that they can write a better book on theatre, or know more about theatre than Disney does, please.........get that book written and show it to us all when you're done.

In the meantime, keep your mouth shut and don't be disrespectful to Thomas S.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 11:42am

[jondouglas]

Posted: 11/25/07 at 11:53am

BrodyFosse123 thanks for putting the pic of the book up. It looks great.