Paul Ford’s book (Working with Sondheim)

[binau]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 6:14am

I probably won’t read this thread again until I’ve finished it to avoid spoilers but I just wanted to say this is a must-read for any Sondheim fan and wider fans too. The book opens describing being backstage with Bernadette at the Marquis theatre (Follies) where she suggests he write a book. So far I’d say the tone is highly entertaining and fun, self deprecating and VERY bitchy/gossipy. For someone that deeply respects Sondheim he doesn’t hold back at criticising his work in ways that I would describe as against the grain (he LOVES Anyone Can Whistle but has very little time for Sweeney). I’m loving getting confirmation that many of the rumours surrounding things like the casting of the Witch between LuPone/Buckley/Bernadette are all true and reading some of the details behind this. He really doesn’t hold back, even subtlety suggesting people like Chita Rivera have become a little difficult and unpleasant in recent years vs the past (The Rink). 
 

Some might think it’s a little mean and it’s not exactly like he was in a pleasant state of mind during much of his career, which I wonder could influence his perceptions, but I appreciate having an unsanitised view of his opinions and experiences. This is the Sondheim backstage TV soap script I could only ever dream of. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 7:00am

Interesting to read the Amazon review comments about the tone you reference such as this negative one:

"Reading this was worse than being seated on an airplane next to a know it all who'd had three too many drinks and incessantly has to expound upon all the people he hates. The interesting information was completely smothered by his anger. Not a good time was had by all!"

Reviews there are still pretty strong overall though.  Of the 55 reviews so far, but 48% are five-star and 27% are four-star.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:27am

Thanks!! I just bought the Audible!

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:32am

Funny this came up. as on the weekend I posted wondering if anyone has read this on Facebook in a group for Musical Theatre Books, and the group's comments seem to echo what has been said. He seems to be a bitchy old thing, and is willing to take no prisoners. You either love the gossip, or you think its in bad taste. I'm still on the fence about getting it. I don't know if I need to here bitter things about Chita, etc. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 8:46am

Listening to the forward, written/read by Mandy. He says if  You’re someone who is allergic to strong opinions than stop reading right now. Im excited!

[morosco]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 11:56am

For some reason this book hadn't hit my radar yet. Thank you for mentioning it! I can't wait to read it. I'm also enjoying the Paul Gemignani book that just came out.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 1:06pm

Ooooh....Ford has some axes to grind and he is NOT holding back! 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:48pm

Too bad that Ford is also a bitter and raging alcoholic -- with a VERY selective memory about how events actually happened.

 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 2:52pm

"Well Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope!" ~ Helen Lawson

 

Updated On: 5/31/22 at 02:52 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 3:12pm

I devoured Laurent's book for being so bitchy so def. reading this. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 3:49pm

RippedMan said: "I devoured Laurent's book for being so bitchy so def. reading this."

"You know how bitchy f@gs can be" ~ Jennifer North

 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 4:50pm

JSquared2 said: "Too bad that Ford is also a bitter and ragingalcoholic -- with a VERY selective memory about how events actually happened.

Yeah, he’s a sad man with serious issues. 

 

[dan94]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 5:22pm

I got the audiobook a while back and very slowly have been making my way through. There are definite interesting tidbits and details that make it worth reading.

But he has a tendency to spoil the fun. He'll offer a fun anecdote which will be nice to read and he'll immediately follow it up with "this is when show biz USED to be fun." We've got it by the second time he said this. By the 25th it's just laborious to get through.

Also has to be said his taste in musical theatre seems regressive for 1970, much less 2022. I'm low-key shocked he liked any Sondheim shows based on the other opinions presented.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 1:20am

 So far I've made it to page 82 of Paul Ford's book. Just so much negativity. Sad really. 

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 1:37am

Thanks for the heads-up! Just downloaded it for Kindle and I’m about to dive in.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 3:13pm

Broadway actor Jared Bradshaw interviews Paul Ford about his new book, ''Lord Knows, At Least I Was There,'' and the hits and ''pits'' of playing Sondheim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJW4GR5XuvA

Updated On: 6/1/22 at 03:13 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 4:06pm

Normally, I like a gossipy kiss-and-tell, but this was super hard going, and I don't just mean because it's a poorly written smear text. His desperation to absolve himself of his behavior dripped from every page. It read rather like After Eight (remember them? Pepperidge Farm remembers) writing a memoir and grudgingly admitting they liked some Sondheim material. 

[BobNC]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 6:47pm

Several mean-spirited comments on this thread.

Alcoholism is a disease which hits the LGBTQIA+ community very hard.  Kindness and compassion never go out of style, especially not in Pride month.

I just bought the Kindle version of the book. 

 

Updated On: 6/1/22 at 06:47 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 8:39pm

Hey, if you want to see some real mean-spirited comments, boot up the book on your Kindle and see if we seem like douchecanoes by comparison then.

[DaveyG]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 9:25pm

BobNC said: "
Several mean-spirited comments on this thread.

Alcoholism is a disease which hits the LGBTQIA+ community very hard. Kindness and compassion never go out of style, especially not in Pride month.

I just bought the Kindle version of the book.

Paul Ford referred to Stephen Sondheim as “Stephen Pondslime” on his Facebook page in several posts I saw. Not very kind, especially after Sondheim hired him numerous times and gave him effusive praise in his Tony acceptance speech for Into the Woods…

If Paul is going to write bitchy things about fellow artists, then he should be able to take it when people criticize him. 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 9:49pm

BobNC said: "
Several mean-spirited comments on this thread.

Alcoholism is a disease which hits the LGBTQIA+ community very hard. Kindness and compassion never go out of style, especially not in Pride month.

I just bought the Kindle version of the book.

"

Ok, please get back to us on the whole “kindness and compassion” thing AFTER you finish wading through the slime that is Ford’s idea of how he chooses to be remembered. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 6/4/22 at 4:41pm

''If Paul is going to write bitchy things about fellow artists, then he should be able to take it when people criticize him.''

Whoever said that Ford can't take criticism (or backlash)? He called Sondheim, told him that he was writing a book, and Sondheim even helped him with the title.

Ford would hardly be the first person in musical theater with a sharp tongue. In Sondheim's own ''Finishing the Hat'' collection of lyrics, his book boasts a subtitle of ''Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes.'' 

I can't wait to get Ford's book. He had a front-row seat to Broadway history, 

Updated On: 6/4/22 at 04:41 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 12:52am

I’ve been reading this book in chunks as I always have multiple books going at once, it is maddening and I would highly recommend it. It will make you crazy. It will infuriate you. It will make you laugh. It will make you think a lot of things.

There were times that I really thought After Eight was Paul Ford based on his unpopular posts here over many years.

However, since Sondheim actually encouraged Ford to partially title his book: LORD KNOWS AT LEAST I WAS THERE, I think it’s definitely worth a read. You may agree with some of Ford’s opinions and others may have you throwing the book into a burning fireplace, a shredder or just a regular trash bin.

But lord knows at least he was there… Fascinating.

[BJR]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 9:47am

I wish it was better written.

I don't mind the strong opinions, and love gossip, but I mind the constant repetition of opinions across multiple chapters and zipping through key life moments with barely a detail. Just poorly written and edited.

What a contrast to Harvey Fierstein's exceptionally written, heartfelt and hilarious book. That's how you weave a tale, frame a life, and humor the reader along the way.

I'm having trouble getting through this one.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/23/22 at 3:59pm

BJR said: "I wish it was better written.

I don't mind the strong opinions, and love gossip, but I mind the constant repetition of opinions across multiple chapters and zipping through key life moments with barely a detail. Just poorly written and edited.

What a contrast to Harvey Fierstein's exceptionally written, heartfelt and hilarious book. That's how you weave a tale, frame a life, and humor the reader along the way.

I'm having trouble getting through this one."

 

Exactly.  Ford's book comes across as such a bitter, vengeful tirade and as an F.U. to the industry and people he's worked with -- most of whom he clearly views as his "inferiors" -- whereas Fierstein's beautifully written memoir is his love letter to an industry that he adores (mostly) and has devoted his lifetime to.  Ford is the lonely, angry man left sitting alone at the bar at last call.