Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast
Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#0
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:26pm
Making It On Broadway: Actor's Tales of Struggling to the Top
Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical FOLLIES
Sondheim on Music
Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops
Musical Stages: An Autobiography (Rodgers)
From Assassins to West Side Story
Deconstructing Harold Hill (just started it, but so far its great)
Rebels with Applause
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Art Isn't Easy: The Theatre of Stephen Sondheim
Feel free to add more great books on theatre...
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#1
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:29pmWicked
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#2
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:37pm
Why so much Sondheim?
There are good Lloyd Webber books as well!
And, surely, for the interest of commercial theatre, there will be something available on Frank Wild-and-horny
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#3
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:38pmWell, I can only include what I've read personally. And I really haven't read books on ALW.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#4
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:42pm
You must read Michael Walsh's criticism.
Huge, gigantic book - but a fascinating read!
(The only problem is: it was last updated around Washington Whistle)
A good read for Rodgers and Hammerstein is the critique by Ethan Mordden. Some fascinating stuff on the flop-shows
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/03
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#5
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:43pmDon't forget Ethan Mordden's many books. They're pretty darn close to essential.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#6
Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:44pmI saw a really good book on Sondheim, as well, like the Walsh one, with details on every show. I really want to get that. I'll probably pick it up tomorrow. Can't remember what it was called! You should also get The Savoy Operas - containing the complete librettos of the shows Gilbert and Sullivan staged at the Savoy. It's a wonderful item
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#7
Posted: 9/23/04 at 12:02am
I agree about Ethan Mordden's books on each decade of Broadway in the 20th Century -- very, very iluminating as well as highly readable.
William Goldman's "The Season" is an essential masterpiece about the business of Broadway and impossible to put down (a thorough top to bottom analysis of the 1967-68 season).
There are many bios that are quite interesting on Michael Bennett, Jerome Robbins, Fosse, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Charles Ludlam, Arthur Miller and so many others.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#8
Posted: 9/23/04 at 12:06amWhat was the name of the book about the making of FOLLIES?
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#9
Posted: 9/23/04 at 12:08amEverything Was Possible by Ted Chapin. Great book.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#10
Posted: 9/23/04 at 2:35amAnd let us not forget DIARY OF A MAD PLAYWRIGHT by James Kirkwood. Oh, the horror. You will never look a Mary Martin or Carol Channing in the same light. Funny, but also very sad.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#11
Posted: 9/23/04 at 9:18am
Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff
The Fervent Years by Harold Clurman
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#12
Posted: 9/23/04 at 10:03amHOT SEAT which conatins many, many reviews Frank Rich wrote during his tenure as the lead drama critic for the Times.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#13
Posted: 9/23/04 at 11:00am
I would also suggest:
"Letting Down My Hair" by Lorrie Davis (a Hair original cast member)
"Good Hair Days: A Personal Journey with the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" by Jonathan Johnson
"A Chorus Line and the Musicals of Michael Bennett" by Ken Mandelbaum
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#14
Posted: 9/23/04 at 11:05amMaking it on Broadway should be required reading!!!!
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#15
Posted: 9/23/04 at 3:09pmThe Follies book is great. I would recommend bios on Bob Fosse and Michael Bennett. There are a few out there. I also think the Rent "bible" is a interesting even for non-rent heads to look at the evolution of a musical.
Featured Actor Joined: 9/16/04
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#16
Posted: 9/23/04 at 5:39pm
Conversations in the Wings
Actors on Acting
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/26/04
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#17
Posted: 9/23/04 at 5:51pmI'm surprised no one has mentioned "No Turn Unstoned" by Diana Rigg. If ever you get a bad review, you'll want this on your shelf to consult. Well...that is..If I'd ever got a bad review...cuz I haven't....really....crap.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#18
Posted: 9/23/04 at 6:41pm
A YEAR WITH THE PRODUCERS: ONE ACTOR'S EXHAUSTING (BUT WORTH IT) TALE FROM CATS TO MEL BROOKS' MEGA HIT by Jeffry Denman.
Through journal entries he takes us all through his final few performances in CATS to his audition for Mel Brooks, the producers rehearsals, from Chicago to Broadway, previews, opening night, the Tonys, and him finally getting to go on for Matthew as Leo opposite Nathan Lane. His final entry is on September 10th, 2001. It's one of my favorite books. I've read it several times. I highly recommend it.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#19
Posted: 9/23/04 at 7:09pmI love all the coffee table books that certain shows put out (aida, rent, lion king, les mis, hairspray, ect). But I like the "At This Theatre". there are some really interesting stories in it.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#20
Posted: 9/23/04 at 7:19pm
I have to second CatsNYrevival's choice. I just finished reading Jeffry Denman's book, and it was a great behind the scenes look into a Broadway show in making. And it's nice to learn all the little backstage secrets and changes that go on!
I also like the coffee table books, especially Hairspray. I want the Producers one. They provide, as well, wonderful behind the scenes info and various changes in the show, in addition to colorful pictures you can't find everywhere.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#21
Posted: 9/23/04 at 7:33pmOoo... I love The Producers coffee table book. The acknowledgments where Tom and Mel thank every person on the face of the earth: past, living, and the yet to be born just cracks me up. Also the chapters: "bagel mornings and tuna fish on rye toast afternoons" is just great. Only Mel. Plus the script comes with all kinds of little notes written out in red ink by Mel and Tom. It includes the original line, alternate lines and all kinds of fun hilarious comments on the writing process... and the line that they enjoy the most. Plus the original opening number: "Hey Nebraska!"... just great.
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#22
Posted: 9/23/04 at 7:35pm
disney just came out with an awesome book "One Day at the New Amsterdam Theatre". When i was at borders, i thumbed through it, and there are some VERY cool photos in it.
one day at the new amsterdam theatre
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast#23
Posted: 9/23/04 at 9:50pm
Thank you Gotham for mentioning "Underfoot In Show Business." I didn't think anyone would know of it. Yay, for those who tried to succeeed!
ACT ONE by Moss Hart, is another to add to the list;
LOST BROADWAY THEATRES, too.
And, COLE PORTER by William McBrien
Updated On: 9/23/04 at 09:50 PM
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