The Wrong Side of the Room: A Life in Music Theater - by Norman Mathews
Born in the wrong town, the wrong era, and with the wrong name, Norman Mathews was forced to conjure a more enticing, if imaginary, world to better navigate the perils of childhood. In this world, he didn't suffer from a lack of self-assurance that dashed his dreams of romance and fame. He wasn't psychologically abused by a priest nor did he endure ludicrously funny psychotherapy over his sexuality. And he didn't attempt suicide, nearly shattering his promising future. But in the real world, he survived all of this and more, and in his autobiography details with stark honesty and humor how Mathews' resolve to build a meaningful life led him to the life of his dreams.From the ashes of near-calamity rose the existence Norman Mathews always dreamed of. Beginning as a magazine editor and eventually becoming a Broadway and film dancer he worked with Barbra Streisand, Gene Kelly, Dorothy Lamour, and Michael Bennett. His star was on a consistent upward trajectory. But an injury cut short his career as a performer and forced him to seek creative fulfillment elsewhere. He reinvented himself as a pianist, composer, and playwright and as such created award-winning works for the concert stage, Tony-Award winners, and opera luminaries.This passionate and inspirational autobiography is steeped in dark humor, celebrity gossip, and backstage intrigue. It not only shines a light onto musical theater, it goes so far as to recount the grisly murder of a Broadway conductor, provides an inside look at the embezzlement of a famed Broadway producer, and details a never-reported rehearsal row involving a famous choreographer. Mathews brings his colorful Sicilian-American family, his triumphs and heartbreaks, and his mine-strewn path to love vividly to life. This riveting drama is a paean to all late-bloomers - proof that no matter how many wrong cards you are dealt, it's possible, with hope and tenacity, to come up with a winning hand.
Fans can prepare for the official Wicked digital and Blu-ray release with the extensive special feature listing which includes documentaries, deleted scenes, commentaries, and more. Take a look at the full list below!
Hadestown: Live from London – the original London cast album for Tony and Grammy Award-winning “Best Musical” Hadestown – has been released as a limited-edition deluxe gatefold “pop-up” vinyl. Learn more!
A delightful, rhythmic adventure is tapping its way into the hearts of little readers everywhere with the release of Tippy Toes and Tappy Heels by Amanda Pietsch. Learn more about the book!
BroadwayWorld is excited to debut the exclusive track 'Mama Ma' from the world premiere recording of the National Theatre production of Phaedra. Listen to it now.
A Kickstarter campaign has launched to raise money for the upcoming star-studded concept album of the new musical, The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul. Learn more about the album and see how to contribute!
Lending her voice to the audiobook is none other than Stephanie J. Block, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Cher in The Cher Show. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book- Chapter 2, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Listen here!
On Friday, February 28, 2025, New York-based German composer Reiko Füting will release his fifth portrait album, distantViolinSound, on New Focus Recordings.
The York Theatre Company will release an original cast recording for its World Premiere production of Welcome to the Big Dipper, a new musical comedy based on a true event. Learn more!
The Ucky Mucky Duck by Kayla Michiels, illustrated by Leesa Link, is now available to entertain and enchant children with a playful story of curiosity, mischief, and learning to listen.
Spirit of Wagner Award recipient Georgia Shreve has unveiled her holiday album, Spirit of Christmas. Featuring original compositions, timeless classics, and an all-star cast of performers, this collection promises to become an enduring part of the holiday music tradition.
Prepare to embark on a journey that spans galaxies and centuries in The Haunted Trail, the latest novel by John Lukegord. Learn more about the book here!
Milan Records has released QUEER (ORIGINAL SCORE) featuring music by two-time Academy Award® winners TRENT REZNOR and ATTICUS ROSS for director Luca Guadagnino’s new film. Listen to it now.
The full Chris, Mrs. - A New Holiday Musical studio album has been released. Featuring 16 original songs from Canadian husband-and-wife creative team Matthew Stodolak and Katie Kerr, Chris, Mrs. marries traditional holiday themes with a contemporary musical theatre sound. Listen to it here!
PS CLASSICS will release a new album from award-winning musical storyteller Ari Axelrod. A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway will be available on CD and digital formats. Learn more!
The Wicked movie is not the only Ozian content that consumers are enjoying. As the popularity of the film surges to an all-time high, readers are also flocking to Gregory Maguire's original 1995 novel for which the musical and film are based.
From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theater history; check out our collection of 19 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's winter reading list.
Grammy and Tony nominee and Emmy winner Liz Callaway will release her new holiday single “There’s Still My Joy,” on Friday, December 6, 2024, on all digital platforms, including iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.
Edinburgh's Christmas has announced multi-award winning actor Alan Cumming and author of bestselling book The Girl on the Train Paula Hawkins will join book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive edition of their in-conversation event, In The Company of Books.
The musical comedy Manuel Vs the Statue of Liberty, which played an award-winning, sold-out, extended run at NYMF, will release its concept album this January.
Straight Forward, a new Off-Broadway musical by Billy Aberle and Chris Sabol, will release an EP. Straight Forward will have its premiere this Spring in New York City. Learn more about the show and the album!
Straight Forward, a new Off-Broadway musical by Billy Aberle and Chris Sabol, has released an EP of 5 songs on November 26. Straight Forward will have its premiere this Spring in New York City. Listen to the new EP here.
Patrick Finegan has announced the release of his new novel, Toys in Babylon: A Language App Parody and Whodunnit, a satire and murder mystery. Learn more about the novel here.
Chris R. Weilert has announced the release of his newest book, Deep Thoughts from a Recliner Quarterback, Volume 2. Learn more about the book and how to purchase here!
Get ready for more Wicked music! In an Instagram post, John Powell has confirmed that a score album, featuring instrumental compositions from him and Wicked's Stephen Schwartz, will be released on December 6.
The Moana 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available now. Featuring the music of Grammy® Award winning songwriters Barlow & Bear, listen to Moana 2's songs here.
Newly released listings are previewing the home video release for the Wicked movie, which will arrive in stores in either February or March of 2025. The standard 4K Ultra HD release will include the theatrical version of the film, along with a sing-along edition.
In celebration of Cher's memoir's release (which also happens to feature an audiobook read by Tony winner Stephanie J. Block), we're turning back time for a special multimedia flashback of the acclaimed Broadway show.
BroadwayWorld spoke with Wicked author Gregory Maguire about the upcoming film adaptation starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, his new book Elphie: A Wicked Childhood, and much more. Read the full interview here.
David Friedman and Christina Connors released a children's book, WE CAN BE KIND, teaching kindness and empathy through story and song. The book offers a multi-sensory experience for young readers.
Center Stage Records has announced the release of The Sabbath Girl: A New Musical (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording) on all digital platforms, with a CD to be issued in early 2025.