BWW Reviews: OUT OF THE WOODS: A TRUE STORY is an Inspiring Memoir

Kevin Farley's memoir, Out of the Woods: A True Story is a touching and genuine book. I read each and every page with a sense of captive wonder. I highly recommend this book to a broad audience. You will be moved by Farley's deep and abiding love for his family as he reveals the healing power of the arts.

In Out of the Woods, Kevin Farley takes his six-year-old daughter Kendyll to see a summer production of Into the Woods by the Publick Theatre believing it would be suitable for her because it is about fairy tales. But Farley's beloved wife and Kendyll's mother, Leslie died when Kendyll only three weeks old. Seeing elements in the show opens the floodgates of unresolved grief for them both. Each day for three weeks, Kendyll wakes her father begging him to take her to see Into the Woods again. And as they attend performances, they have a personal journey into their own "dark and scary woods."

Those who have seen a production of Into the Woods will find the book particularly relevant and interesting as they read Farley's references to the show. In Farley's own words, "Simultaneously, the Witch starts to sing, Children Will Listen, the shows valedictory, a moment of summing up, the one where you are deposited back in the real world and get a minute to sort through the various morals of the story before the big rousing finale." Farley clearly realizes the powerful influence of theater.

Out of the Woods is also a well-rounded memoir with touching relationships that Farley thoughtfully integrates into his story. They include the members of the 1996 Publick Theatre cast of Into the Woods who truly embraced Farley and his daughter as they visited the production again and again. Farley has also found renewed happiness in his own life in his second marriage to a lovely woman, Cheryl and he continues to be an exemplary father to Kendyll who is now 24. Farley is an example of a man who finds love in life, a lesson for us all.

Captivating, witty and sensitive, Farley is a talented author who has created a book for parents, theater enthusiasts, and lovers of fine writing. Farley's personal experience with grief and his honest delivery make this an excellent book for those dealing with their own loss. Out of the Woods is a memoir that only Farley could create. I applaud him creating an inspiring book for the ages.

To purchase Out of the Woods, visit http://www.amazon.com/Out-Woods-Story-Kevin-Farley/dp/1505435951/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425757170&sr=1-3&keywords=Out+of+the+Woods. You can also visit Kevin Farley's web site at http://irishmusicguy.com/ and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Editor's Note: At Broadwayworld.com, we know the power of the arts and theater. In addition to promoting his new book, Out of the Woods: A True Story and making personal appearances, Kevin Farley and his daughter, Kendyll Farley have launched a web site that is free and open to the public. Tell your story how arts have changed your life at http://theatrechangedmylife.org/.

IMAGE: Courtesy of "Out of the Woods: A True Story"

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