Strippers, Showgirls, and Sharks: A Very Opinionated History of the Broadway Musicals That Did Not Win the Tony Award

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:15am

I did a search, but couldn't find a thread on this. This book just came out this year. I just got it from Amazon, and I'm already halfway through. This book is extremely fascinating, and I would highly recommend it to all of you! Peter Filichia delves into why some shows lost the Tony for Best Musical. It was published this year, so it is up to date with shows like Wicked and even Leap of Faith! There's also a lot of interesting stuff about David Merrick!

http://www.amazon.com/Strippers-Showgirls-Sharks-Opinionated-ebook/dp/B00B22ASVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374898215&sr=8-1&keywords=strippers%2C+showgirls

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:16am

Ooooooh, thanks! I had no idea about this book!!!!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:22am

Is it just his opinion on why some of these shows didn't win or is there more to it?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:29am

In other words, is it a print-out of the "Official Tony Awards Reaction Threads" from BWW's past?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:40am

Definitely more to it that that. It has some opinion, but a lot of fact as well. It's in the same vein as Not Since Carrie, but it covers a wider spectrum that does not just include flops.

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 1:11am

Just finished reading it a few weeks ago, loved it! Highly recommend to anyone who loves theatre!!!

[brettarnett]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 1:41am

Does it give any new info on Gypsy or Follies that haven't been covered before?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 3:20am

I've had a sample of it sitting on my Kindle. Haven't gotten around to checking it out. I'll put it higher on my list.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 3:52am

"Does it give any new info on Gypsy or Follies that haven't been covered before?"

He spent a lot of time on Gypsy and really delved into the plot. He pointed out some really interesting stuff about the book and score that I didn't know. If you've read Everything Was Possible (which I highly recommend), you are already going to know everything he writes about Follies.

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:35pm

I have the sample on my tablet to remind me to buy it to read on vacation next month.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 12:54pm

Peter is an extremely smart, insightful and discerning guy. I have it sitting here and am waiting for next month's vacation to dig in. I'm sure it won't disappoint.

[OperaBwayLover]

Posted: 7/27/13 at 4:22pm

This book sounds amazing. I'll have to keep an eye out for it at my library.

[homeimp]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 9:15pm

I have the book and it's great. Full of wonderful information and fascinating stories. For anybody interested in Broadway musicals, this is a book well worth having.

Updated On: 7/28/13 at 09:15 PM

[DrMike]

Posted: 7/28/13 at 10:20pm

I just finished reading it and must agree with others who have loved it. Great insights and observations. An engaging summary of many shows with which I was unfamiliar.

[Hest882]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 2:56pm

Thanks for this. I'm a good chunk of the way in. I do think, though, that's it's heavy on the plot synopses and relatively light on the analysis. Still, I'm happy to have it!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 3:03pm

I know you should never judge a book by it's cover but I am totally in love with that cover design. I'd buy it just for the cover alone. I'm sure the book is just as good. I will most def purchase it.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 4:22pm

Oh God, I can't stand Filichia!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 4:41pm

I just started it last night. Hopefully as it goes on, he spends less time giving synopsis' of these shows and more time discussing the topic of the book. I really don't need 5 pages describing the plot of GYPSY and I'm assuming anyone who's reading this book doesn't need that, either.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 7/29/13 at 4:48pm

I feel like I should get the dead tree version of this...even though I don't really do dead tree versions anymore.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 2:07pm

nice find. gonna get it.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 10:56pm

I was very disappointed in this book.

1) 3/4 of it is used to give blow by blow plot synopsis Except for a few like "The LIeutenant" I already know this.
2) The other 1/8 is his opinion (which I often disagree with) about the shows.
For example he trashes Zorba while I think it is an underappreciated treasure.
He doesn't like the current Pippin (which I of course think improves on the original.)
3) The other 1/8 is why such a such a musical won over such and such a musical.
It's usually because one musical was bigger than the other or Tony Voters didn't like David Merrick or the fact the 25 million was spent on a musical- Shrek and that causes Tony Voters to over look it.

A waste of my five dollars if you ask me.

[Sutherland]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 11:37pm

"He doesn't like the current Pippin (which I of course think improves on the original.)"

Ooh, I think I like this book already!

Updated On: 8/5/13 at 11:37 PM

[dblue236]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 11:50pm

I'm going to add this to my Amazon list. I'd be interested in the historical aspect of it.

[Patash]

Posted: 8/6/13 at 12:55pm

"I know you should never judge a book by it's cover but I am totally in love with that cover design. I'd buy it just for the cover alone."

Well as Gloria Upson says, "Books are awfully decorative, don't you think?"