Everything Was Possible
Everything Was Possible
#1Everything Was Possible
Posted: 4/18/11 at 1:21amLast night I finished reading Everything Was Possible. It was an incredible book with so many wonderful insights and stories. I was wondering if people here had suggestions for some other good theatre books which would be as informative and engaging as that one. I have a few in mind (Finishing the Hat, Not Since Carrie, and Ethan Mordden books) but I would like to add to that list. I would especially be interested in anything that has a strong focus on a single show (like what Everything Was Possible did for Follies). Thank you so much for your help.
#2Everything Was Possible
Posted: 4/18/11 at 1:55amFree For All doesn't focus on one show, but it's basically a collected oral history of The Public, show-by-show. It's a wonderful read.
#2Everything Was Possible
Posted: 4/18/11 at 5:28am
Miles Kreuger wrote an excellent book chronicling the history of SHOW BOAT from 1925 to 1977. It was first published to mark the 50th anniversary and republished around the time of the Hal Prince revival (Though it was not updated to reference the new production.)
http://www.amazon.com/Show-Boat-Classic-American-paperback/dp/0306804018/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1303117632&sr=8-7
For an excellent overview of Broadway as told through the stories of the composers & lyricists who wrote the shows, Stanley Green's WORLD OF MUSICAL COMEDY (from 1960 - but updated over the years) is full of fascinating facts and trivia and a decent discography of recordings with brief ratings to guide new collectors. (Unfortunately he only includes 12" LP releases, so some of the rarer/more obscure titles like CALL ME MISTER or ARMS AND THE GIRL are missed.) Check out libraries for older editions. The book is apparently out of print now. (The latest update I have is 1980)
Craig Zaden's SONDHEIM AND COMPANY is essential not only for insights into the creation of the Sondheim shows but for interesting essays on poster design, making cast albums and casting.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
chiuptown
Stand-by Joined: 4/28/09
#3Everything Was Possible
Posted: 4/18/11 at 6:43amLetting Down My Hair, by Lorrie Davis. About the making and being in the original HAIR cast.
sabrelady
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#7Everything Was Possible
Posted: 4/18/11 at 6:59pm
I haven't read it yet, but I bought a copy of "The Scarlett Letters" by Florence Rome, which chronicles the making of the Japanese production of Harold Rome's musical of "Gone With The Wind". It looks quite promising and I find that musical, and its history, to be most interesting.
I recommend "Making It Big" as well.
With Irma you gotta do something!
