BroadwayGirlNYC: On My Broadway Bookshelf

Did you know that BroadwayWorld now has a catalogue of just about every theatre book ever written? When I discovered it I was beside myself. Of course, my medium of choice is live theatre; but it's impossible to be in an audience every minute of every day. So when I'm taking it easy at home, or having lunch in New World Plaza, or on the subway coming and going from that day's show... I keep my eyes and brain busy by learning as much as I can about the world of Broadway from my favorite books on the subject.

I'm pumped to expand my collection of theatre-related books via BroadwayWorld's database. In the meantime, my current favorites range from fiction to memoir to history. Here are the books that I'm currently keeping close by.

On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line by Robert Viagas, Baayork Lee, & Thommie Walsh with the Entire Original Cast
If you like the documentary "Every Little Step," which chronicles the audition and casting process for the 2006 Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, you'll adore this book. Written by three of the creators of the original 1970s musical -- who were also cast members, playing theatricalized versions of themselves -- the book is a true insiders' look at the process of conceiving, fleshing out, and performing of the groundbreaking piece of art called A Chorus Line. Robert Viagas, Baayok Lee, and Thommie Walsh tell the histories of their castmates, designers, and creative team; but what shines through most is the camaraderie and sheer excitement of making cutting-edge theatre. I particularly loved reading the autobiographical stories that were adapted into stage material we've all seen and heard. The book was written by people who lived the inspiration for one of the best musicals of all time.

Broadway Nights by Seth Rudetsky
If you don't know of Seth Rudetsky, you are missing a huge presence in the world of Broadway entertainment. Perhaps best known as the host-with-the-most on Sirius XM's On Broadway channel, Seth has been in and around Broadway for years and knows absolutely EVERYBODY. Like Seth himself, the narrator of the story, Stephen, is a fill-in music director in the pit of Broadway musicals. As he prepares for his big break, Stephen finds himself embroiled in the drama of actors, composers, producers, and directors -- as well as his own roller-coaster relationship. Even though the book is fiction, it's easy to imagine that Seth is pulling from his own experiences, and I laughed just as hard at his prose as I do at his radio shows. It's a quick and hilarious read.

Playbill's At This Theatre (2010 Edition)
I've loved musical theatre my entire life, but only the last 6-7 years have allowed me to see a lot of shows and become transfixed by the medium as I am today. That means that my knowledge of musical theatre has been largely shaped by current works and revivals. When I go to the theatre, I always flip to the "At this Theatre" section (most, though not all, Playbills feature a short history of the many productions played within those walls). This beautiful hardbound book expands upon those histories, including cast information, anecdotes, full-color photos, and a plethora of information about every existing Broadway theatre. It's remarkable to read about Ethel Barrymore performing in a theatre named for her at the height of her fame... and every single production that has come since! The 2010 update includes shows as recent as Race at the Barrymore, West Side Story at the Palace, Hair at the Hirschfeld and A Little Night Music at the Kerr.

The Lost Broadway Theatres by Nicholas van Hoogstraten
I'm proud to be have seen shows at every one of Broadway's 40 current theatres. I love looking up from my seat at the detailing on the ceilings, the murals and mosaics worked into the design. Some theatres are so ornate that it's hard to imagine the number of man-hours that went into their creation. That's why I'm so fascinated (and horrified) to think of the wonderous Broadway theatres of the past, that have been demolished, ruined by fire, or otherwise brought to ruin. In this book originally published in 1982 (I have the 1990 version), Nicholas van Hoogstraten collects over 300 photographs, blueprints, and plans to tell "the fantastic stories of the great New York playhouses of the past," as the book jacket describes. Including the theatres that still exist, he maps out the locations, histories, and stories more than 50 lost Broadway houses, from the Casino (built on 39th street in 1882) to the RKO Roxy, located on 49th & 6th which was torn down in 1954. I devoured this book, simply because it gave me more of what I love best -- access to all things Broadway.

Patti LuPone: A Memoir by Patti LuPone
The Diva of Divas finally tells her own story. In her own words, LuPone chronicles her career from early days in Juliard's first class of actors, to years touring with a classical Acting Company, to her much celebrated starring role in Evita and beyond. She holds nothing back in calling out people who have betrayed her, and gives deserved accolades to those who have been by her side. As I wrote in my review when the book first came out, Patti LuPone: A Memoir is a bold, straight-to-the-point, emotional, and concise retelling of the life that created, and was created by, one of Broadway's biggest stars.

The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway by William Goldman
Though I initially had trouble getting into this dense read, I gleaned more from it than I knew I needed to learn. Written in the 1960s, it is still remarkably relevant. Author William Goldman was given unprecedented access to all of the productions on Broadway during the 1967-68 season, and held nothing back in relaying the stories. Not just of openings and closings, but castings, rehearsals, on- and off-stage drama, and even the social and political implications of decisions made for the Broadway stage. Dense it may be, but I found value in digesting it slowly. The further I got, the more I could relate it to shows and issues on Broadway today. Since I finished reading it, I've found myself thinking back to many chapters, and even revisiting the text to take in certain stories again. It's a marvelously detailed, complex look at a single season in Broadway history... that ultimately sheds light on Broadway as a whole.

These are, of course, just a selection of the Broadway books I love. I'm also obsessed with Finishing the Hat, the collection of Stephen Sondheim's lyrics from 1954-1981; David Cote's Spring Awakening: In the Flesh and Wicked: The Grimmerie; Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss & Rent by Anthony Rapp; Broadway: The American Theatre, which is a companion book to the PBS miniseries from a few years back (but stands admirably on its own); Showtime: A History of The American Theatre by Larry Stempel; and The Play That Changed My Life, which features the recollections of some of the greatest theatremakers currently alive, about their inspirations to make theatre themselves.

Buying tickets and seeing shows are not the only ways to indulge in Broadway love... fill your bookshelf and you'll have Broadway at your fingertips around the clock no matter where you live!!