The City and The Theatre
by Mary C. Henderson (Back Stage Books)
The "mother of all" NY theatre history books has reappeared in
a gorgeous new edition. A landmark work thirty years ago, this is still
the most informative volume on the theatres of Manhattan -- those
long-lost and those still standing. Hundreds of fascinating
illustrations, many new to this edition, add to the insightful text.
Every serious theatre historian or history-loving New Yorker will give
thanks for this one.
Kaufman & Co. - Broadway Comedies
George S. Kaufman (Library of America)
There is a sensual pleasure in encountering such a shamelessly
well-published volume. The real bonus is that there's even deeper
pleasure within, with nine of George S. Kaufman's finest scripts --
including the long out of print librettos for Animal Crackers and
Of Thee I Sing. After seven decades, they are still a delight
to read. If for any unthinkable reason you are not already familiar
with The Royal Family, Dinner At Eight or that peerless
laughfest The Man Who Came to Dinner,
they are handsomely presented here in an edition designed to outlast a
lifetime. At $35, you're only paying less than four bucks per play --
less than the cost of paperback acting editions that won't last half as
long. Well worth the investment!
One More Kiss
The Broadway Musicals of the 1970s
by Ethan Mordden (Palgrave MacMillan)
The latest addition to Mordden's series covering the musical decades of
the 20th Century is a theatre lovers delight. Even when you find
yourself disagreeing violently with the author's opinions (and, doubt it
not -- you will), it is a pleasure to see anyone discuss musicals with
such eloquent enthusiasm. The detailed discussions of Follies, Annie
and A Chorus Line are fascinating, and Morrden's assessment of
more obscure works is even more valuable.
The Rise and Fall of the Broadway Musical
by Mark N. Grant
An lo, an honest voice was heard on Broadway! Composer-author Mark N. Grant examines
the artistic aspects of stage musicals past and present with passionate insight, making
this the most important and provocative book on musical theatre in more than a decade. What an
eye opener! The effect of sound systems, rock grooves, multiple producers -- so many
hot button issues no one else has been willing to tackle in print get detailed,
thoroughly researched coverage here. Be forewarned, Grant
may tick you off -- and if so, it is high time someone did! Even the sections that
get into musicology (a subject that often flies way over my head) held my attention.
This is a must-read for anyone who cares about Broadway musicals, a book that will
be discussed for years to come.
Screened Out:
Playing Gay in Hollywood From Edison to Stonewall
by Richard Barrios (Routledge)
The author of the landmark musical film study A Song in the Dark offers
an equally delightful treat here in a detailed examination of gay images
seen in Hollywood films up to the early 1970s. Film lovers will find
fascinating tidbits, illuminating insights, and dozens of rare stills.
The author's passion for vintage film fills every page, and his gift for
creating clear, enjoyable prose is all too rare today. If you love
movies, Screened Out is one pleasure you can't afford to pass on.
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