Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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...

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

Updated On: 9/22/04 at 11:26 PM

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:29pm

Wicked

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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

Who can explain it, who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, wise men never try -South Pacific

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:38pm

Well, I can only include what I've read personally. And I really haven't read books on ALW.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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

Who can explain it, who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, wise men never try -South Pacific

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:43pm

Don't forget Ethan Mordden's many books. They're pretty darn close to essential.

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/22/04 at 11:44pm

I 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

Who can explain it, who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, wise men never try -South Pacific

Updated On: 9/22/04 at 11:44 PM

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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.

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

Updated On: 9/23/04 at 12:02 AM

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 12:06am

What was the name of the book about the making of FOLLIES?

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

#10

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 12:08am

Everything Was Possible by Ted Chapin. Great book.

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#11

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 2:35am

And 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.

PEACE.

#12

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 9:18am

Underfoot in Show Business by Helene Hanff
The Fervent Years by Harold Clurman

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#13

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 10:03am

HOT SEAT which conatins many, many reviews Frank Rich wrote during his tenure as the lead drama critic for the Times.

"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."

#14

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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

#15

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 11:05am

Making it on Broadway should be required reading!!!!

johnraymondbarker.com

#16

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 3:09pm

The 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.

So my dear you think you can get to Broadway. Well, let me tell you something. Broadway has no room for people like you. Not the Broadway I know. My Broadway takes people like you and eats them up and spits them out. My Broadway is the Broadway of Merman, and Martin, and Fontaine, and if you think you can build yourself up by knocking other people down... ...GOOD LUCK... Seinfeld

#17

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 5:39pm

Conversations in the Wings

Actors on Acting

"Always smile at your enemies. It will keep them on their toes"

#18

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 5:51pm

I'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.

Word. Word, indeed.

#19

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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.

#20

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 7:09pm

I 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.

"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

#21

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#22

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

Posted: 9/23/04 at 7:33pm

Ooo... 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.

#23

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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

"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

#24

re: Essential Books for the Broadway Enthusiast

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

← Back to Message Board

View all Videos

Tickets From $59

Tickets From $95

Tickets From $71

Buy Tickets