book- "Making it on Broadway"

[cindy013]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 10:38pm

Has anyone read this book? I ordered it off Amazon.com and got it today, and I'm already about halfway through. I throughly reccommend it because it's so interesting.

But just wondering- has anyone who read it and changed your mind about a theatre career? So far I'm kind of creeped out at some of the disgusting apartment and creepy fan stories, but I honestly don't think it's enough yet.

Oh well. Just wondering about input/opinions on the book!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 10:47pm

If you really want to have a career in theater, a book shouldn't change your mind. You can find unpleasant stories about ANY profession if you look. Do what you want to do.

[TabooWickedFan]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 10:51pm

i got this book as a birthday present from bwaygirl and i am about half way through. I love it. Such a good book!

[fluerette]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:12pm

I read this book a little while ago. I though it was very interesting, but nothing has yet to change my mind about wanting to act!

[Katecab99]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:14pm

wow, that's so random! i totally just bought it tonight! i've been wanting to read it forever, but i had so much required reading that i haven't had time. i can't wait to get started!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:19pm

I enjoyed reading it a lot.

[EverythingIsRENT]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:29pm

I read it and it made me even more determined!! One actor said something along the lines of only persuing theatre if there's NOTHING else you can do, because it;s such an uphill battle the only way to make it through the struggle is if that's the only way you can go with your life. That TOTALLY describes where i'm at!

I didn't like some of the comments certain actors made about Disney and such towards the end, but it is an amazing book and i'm glad I have it!!

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:44pm

I love that book!! I read it about a year ago and it has given me so much inspiration as a budding playwright who most often writes about the lives of actors. Plus, it's hilarious. Definitely recommend it.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:59pm

FANTASTIC book..if the book changes your mind you weren't meant for theatre...

I learned soooooo much from this book, it makes you realize that it really won't be easy (even harder than you expect) but if you really want it you HAVE to try.


EVERYONE who wants to be a performer should read it.
I'm buying a bunch for my fellow musical theatre majors for christmas :)

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 1:57am

I've absolutely gotta get my hands on this...I think I'll order it off of Amazon in the next few days.

[cindy013]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 3:02pm

It only took 4 days off of Amazon.com:) I read it in like 3 hours, and even put Harry Potter on hold for it...*gasp*

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 3:48pm

oh yes i've been wanting to get this as well. I just wanted to know whether it was any good, well now i definately need to get it!

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 3:59pm

I loved this book! But it seemed to me that a lot of the actors focused more on the negatives of being on broadway rather than the joys of being on broadway

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:02pm

Yes, seymour, it definitely skews toward the negative. Quite unbalanced.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:04pm

Great book! Keep reading it again & again. I find myself wondering tho- some of the comments are so candid about the less exemplary aspects of "the life" could there be repercussions like not getting to see certain casting people?

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:07pm

Yep! I read it maybe 10 times! Its a pretty aesome book and it has stuff about almost everything! Even about the musical "Carrie" and I thought that was cool.

[cindy013]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:10pm

It make me wonder if there are really more positive than negative stories. I hope so.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:13pm

What do you think, Cindy? You think your favorite theater performers seem to work under unfair conditions? Does it look like they're unhappy?

From all you've written here, it seems to me you are not very passionate about a career in the theater.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:36pm

It made me chagne my mind.

[Amneris]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:39pm

the book was fabulous.. it just made me pissed off though that I am struggling everyday to even get seen in an open call and these actors are bitching about being bored with Les Miz after 4 months. I understand poor working conditions such as freezing dressing rooms and being afraid of rats in your locker but come on.. I'd playing the freakin Barricade to work on a professional stage.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:44pm

Now THAT is the reaction of a true professional actor. Thank you, Amneris.

MFL, I'm sorry to hear that a book like that would change your mind about what you always wanted to do. You must not have wanted it very badly.

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:49pm

Amneris- I completely agree with you. Some of those actors totally take it for granted that they're on stage. There are so many people who will do just about anything to be on broadway and the actors are complaining about something so trivial!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:49pm

Rathnait-you're entirely right. I realized that theater isn't the career I should go into. I don't have the determination needed to go from audition to audition without getting a job and I would never be able to clean toilets just to scrape some money for rent.

[keggss23]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:50pm

Amneris - I know! The whole part about all of the messing around onstage pissed me off! I tried to put myself in their point of view, but I just can't.

[justme2]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 5:15pm

yeah..I enjoyed reading the book until I started reading the "I was soooooo bored in the show, so I screwed around onstage to keep myself entertained" stories. I was also disturbed to read that the actors who had been playing in long running shows awhile would actually give the "newbies" crap if they were caught "acting" during the show. I think one quote said something like..."this is Les Miz...we don't ACT in this show. Get with the program!"

That pissed me off as well. There are so many people who would love to be employed in a long running musical (hell, ANY show), and here these people are BRAGGING about playing around with lines, screwing up other actors, moving props around, etc. Very unprofessional and made me lose respect for these "professionals".