Journeys in the Night: Creating a New American Theatre with Circle in the Square: A Memoir (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)I haven't worked out yet exactly how old Theodore Mann must be, but he must be one of the oldest people I have ever read an autobiography by.

Nearly everyone he knows from the glory days of the Circle in the Square is dead, so he must feel pretty much free to give his own version of the events that changed American theater and the reputation of Eugene O'Neill.Teddy Mann (or as George C Scott habitually called him, "Teedy,") was there and laid the groundwork, right at a time when O'Neill was a drug on the market and his last Broadway play, THE ICEMAN COMETH, had been a notable flop.Mann and his friend Jose Quintero stepped up, met Carlotta Monterey, fielded all the flak from naysayers, and put on triumphant productions of ICEMAN (with Jason Robards) and other O'Neill plays.Eventually they talked Carlotta (the widow O'Neill) into giving them the rights to stage US premieres for several of O'Neill's then unpublished plays, including LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, HUGHIE, and MORE STATELY MANSIONS.

Theodore Mann saved the day when Florence Eldridge, creating the important role of Mary Tyrone, fell sick on the eve of the opening.He enlisted the famous Dr. Feelgood, Max Jacobson, to step in with an enormous suitcase filled with syringes and soon brought her up to fighting speed.He's filled with great stories like that about half-forgotten people.Why, there was even another Paul Rudd, not the actor of today, but another one back in the 1970s, whom Mann discovered.What's up with that?The two Paul Rudds look crazy different from another, and I have to say, the present day one is far better looking.He also describes the love affair between Amy Irving and Rex Harrison in piquant terms, I'd like to see a whole docudrama about the interaction between ingenue and old man.

Despite continual rumors, Teedy and Quintero were never lovers, just friends from Woodstock.Indeed Theodore Mann's theater is pretty much a straight theater, with plenty of couples and lots of children.He discovered both Rip Torn and Geraldine Page and gave early work to trailblazers like Dustin Hoffman and Vanessa Redgrave.The Circle in the Square had a long history of reviving forgotten plays and renewing interest in dormant careers, like George C. Scott's 1983 production of Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER, which showed the world that the man who played General Patton could also play Garry Essendine.

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Product Description:
This is Theodore Mann's account of his own and the Circle's remarkable history. At times it's difficult to tell where the two diverge, so integral to the company has he been. From Thornton Wilder to Al Pacino, it seems as if every great actor and playwright of the past fifty years has had his or her best work at Circle. As befits a story about theatre, it is at times comic and at times tragic. If you ever wondered how Off-Broadway ever came to be (and how it ever managed to survive), this is the tale to read. DVD BONUS: As a special bonus, An American Theatre Revolution includes a DVD of the 1977 CBS-TV Camera Three program "Twenty Five Years of Circle in the Square." It features Dustin Hoffman, George C. Scott, Vanessa Redgrave, Colleen Dewhurst, James Earl Jones, and Mann himself talking about their experiences at the theatre and includes excerpts of such noted Circle in the Square productions as Death of a Salesman, Mourning Becomes Electra, and The Lady from the Sea.

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"Life Is a Dream" and Other Spanish Classics (Eric Bentley's Dramatic Repertoire Volume Two) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this volume when looking for English translations of Spanish Golden Age Plays for a Comparative Literature course I was designing. These translations are just horrible.Not only is the verse of the Spanish rendered as doggerel in English, but the translations are so off the mark that they change the meaning of dialogue and even alter plot developments!So very, very bad, and sad that this great body of literature is being turned to trash by irresponsible translations and editions.

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A translation of four great Spanish dramas: Calderon de la Barca - Life is a Dream; Miguel de Cervantes - Siege of Numantia; Lope de Vega - Fuente Ovejuna - Tirso de Molina - The Trickster of Seville.

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Producing Theatre : A Comprehensive and Legal Business Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)Of all the books I have on the subject i have to say this one covers almost everything.

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Whether you are a theatrical entrepreneur, an investor, an attorney, or a student, and whether the production is on Broadway, off Broadway, Off Off Broadway, instock or repertory, the revised edition of this standard theatrical reference work tells you everything you need to know about raising money, obtaining rights, and bringing a play to the stage. Written by one of the country's leading theatrical attorneys, this easy-to-use guide includes all new budgets and has been brought up-to-date to cover all the important changes over the past seven years in the legal and business aspects of producing theater. Topics include: how to obtain a property, raising money and the necessary filings, contracts with producers and theaters, licensing for Broadway and out-of-town theater. Especially useful are the updated and expanded appendixes, which include actual examples of today's commonly used legal forms and contracts.

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One on One: The Best Womens Monologues for the 21st Century (The Applause Acting Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a director of a professional theater, I can tell you that the right monologue is vital for a great audition.Finding the perfect monologue is a hard task for any actor and it's even harder for female actors.This wonderful resource provides a wealth of women's monologues for both the professional and educational theater.After providing solid advice for choosing the right monologue, Henry, Jaroff, and Shuman offer a robust choice of monologues from a wide range of playwrights and styles.Thoughtful, complex, and beautifully theatrical, these monologues provide plenty of choices for the perfect monologue.A must have for any actor's library!

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Three editors, each associated with theatre, collaborated on this book of monologues for actresses. What they discovered, besides bravura pieces for auditions, acting classes, and study, was the pulse of the millennial theatrical scene. A follow-up to the popular previous edition from the 1990s, One on One: The Best Women's Monologues for the 21st Century includes the work of over 70 playwrights, spotlighting the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and experimental writings since 2000. A special introduction also explains how to choose, practice, and perform a speech for auditions. Comic or serious - or both - the monologues are written for young, old, and multicultural players by famous names and up-and-coming talent. Anna Deavere Smith records abuse in "real" relationships (House Arrest); August Wilson relates trials of those who survived coming to America - and those who did not (Gem of the Ocean); and William Gibson recreates the dark, fledgling days of Israel (Golda's Balcony). Additional works include Are You Ready? by David Auburn, Bad Dates by Theresa Rebeck, The Committee by Brian Dykstra, and many others.

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One on One: The Best Men's Monologues for the 21st Century (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)I borrowed this from the library for my boyfriend, who was beginning an acting workshop.He found so many useful monologues in this book that we ended up buying it.The pieces span a wide range of ages, ethnicities, types, and topics, and it is an indispensible as a source for fresh and exciting audition pieces that haven't been done to death by a million other aspiring actors.Highly recommended for all male actors.

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Covering the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and experimental theatre since 2000, One on One challenges actors to explore the inner self, develop skill and artistry for auditions, and deliver a knockout onstage performance. These monologues - sometimes comic, sometimes serious, and often both - tackle issues ranging from race, class, gender, relationships and romance to coming of age, mortality, 9/11, and the Iraq war.

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15 American Art Songs (Vocal Collection) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book contains songs suitable for singers of every level of study that are interested in unusual repertoire.

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With companion CD of accompaniments, Catherine Bringerud, pianist. Contents: American Lullaby (Rich) * Cabin (Bowles) * The Crucifixion (Barber) * The Daisies (Barber) * Do Not Go, My Love (Hageman) * Heavenly Grass (Bowles) * The Lamb (Chanler) * The Lass from the Low Countree (Niles) * Loveliest of Trees (Duke) * The Monk and His Cat (Barber) * Orpheus with His Lute (Schuman) * Serenity (Ives) * Sure on Ths Shining Night (Barber) * This Little Rose (Roy) * When I Have Sung My Songs (Charles).

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The Misanthrope and Other French Classics (Paperback) (Eric Bentley's Dramatic Repertoire ; V. 3) Review

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(More customer reviews)Bentley is a great reference for the study of old plays from Italy, France, and Spain.If you're looking to see what plays had their hay-day several hundred years ago, this is a great place to start.

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The complete play scripts to: The Misanthrope by Moliere, English version by Richard Wilbur; Phaedra by Racine, English version by Robert Lowell; The Cid by Corneille, English version by James Schevill; and FigaroÃ-s Marriage by Beaumarchais, English version by Jacques Barzun.

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The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway (Limelight) Review

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(More customer reviews)Having lived in New York for so long it's scary how accurate "The Season" is, although written over 30 years ago.
Broadway has become a tourist trap with very little to offer serious theatergoers anymoreexcept spectacle shows.
Each chapter in this book shows how Broadway wascrippled with each passing season...and it makes sense that this is whatit's come to.
But the book is very funny (especially the chapter oncritics where he launches an all-out assault on then-New York Timesreporter Clive Barnes) and explains everything you'll ever need to knowabout how plays and musicals are put together.
Oh, yes: there's plenty ofdirt, gossip, anecdotes and name-dropping...Neil Simon, Carl Reiner,Tennessee Williams, David Merrick and NBC Reporter Edwin Newman drop in forcameos.

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Playwright/novelist/screenwriter Goldman analyzes Broadway from the perspective of the audiences, playwrights, critics, producers and actors.

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New Broadways: Theatre Across America: Approaching a New Millennium (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been working in theatre for most of my life, but this book taught me so many new things about the history of theatre in America -- mostly a history of regional theatre.Not only is it fascinating reading, it's alsoquite inspiring for theatre directors and producers.

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And the Show Goes On: Broadway and Hollywood Adventures Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an enjoyable read written by Sheldon Leonard. Sharing memories of his 5 plus decades in motion pictures, radio, and his ultimate success in TV. He has been a major contributor to television comedy beginning with the Danny Thomas Show followed by such greats as Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle,Dick van Dyke,I Spy, and many others. From his telling he was quite a pioneer in equal opportunity, giving a fairly unknown Bill Cosby his first tv break in an industry still very closed toward black actors. Very interesting reading. Highly recommend to all interested in Entertainment personalities!

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Theatre World 1990-1991, Vol. 47 Review

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(More customer reviews)This book contains a wealth of information about every show running in the '90-'91 season, including musicals, plays, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and even some notable out-of-town productions. There are black and white photos of each show, cast lists, and information on the production. There is also a thorough index which enables easy searching for specific actors or productions.

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Theatre World, the statistical and pictorial record of the Broadway and off-Broadway season, touring companies, and professional regional companies throughout the United States, has become a classic in its field. The book is complete with cast listings, replacement producers, directors, authors, composers, opening and closing dates, song titles, and much, much more. There are special sections with biographical data, obituary information, listings of annual Shakespeare festivals and major drama awards.

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Swashbuckling: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Art of Stage Combat and Theatrical Swordplay - Revised and Updated Editi (Limelight) Review

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(More customer reviews)"SWASHBUCKLING" is a well thought out, easy to understand book (lots of clear, step-by-step pictures help). Anyone interested in theatrically-oriented swordplay should buy a copy. As the author of "The Art and Science of Fencing," "The Inner Game of Fencing," "The Encyclopedia of the Sword;" and the editor-in-chief of "Fencers Quarterly Magazine," I recommend this book.

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The ultimate guide to stage fighting technique and basic swordplay, this book covers everything an actor must do to give a dynamic and convincing performance as a stage combatant.

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Duo!: The Best Scenes for Two for the 21st Century (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a terrific collection of scenes because it does not include the same, old "Laura and the Gentleman Caller" or "Juliet on the balcony with Romeo" dialogues that you get elsewhere. Here are over a hundred fresh, hip, contemporary scenes written by an equal number of today's brightest playwrights from the turn of the 21st century on. Plus, there are scenes for a man and a woman, two women, or two men. Whether you're an acting teacher, a student, or just a theatre buff, here is a well-organized, blockbuster compendium that has been cunningly assembled by the book's three collaborators with a keen eye for works that address the spot-on issues of our age - from race and gender to class and politics to love and sex. You would do well to consider your acquisition of this book not as a purchase, but an investment.

Jonathan Kestly
Stage Director

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Culled from the work of over 100 playwrights and encompassing the seminal issues of our time, this follow-up compendium is by turns comic and serious but always intensely human. Pieces include scenes from August: Osage County, George and Martha, Intimate Apparel, Take Me Out, and Water Music.

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Kurt Weill Songs -- A Centennial Anthology Review

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(More customer reviews)This Anthology is a due tribute to the great songwriter, German-born Kurt Weill. His compositions include hits like Mack the Knife, September Song and Alabama Song - all of them obviously included in the anthology (but you have to buy both volumes!). The two parts of the anthology have each and every song by Weill ever published separately (ie. not as a part of a full musical score). What's more, the sheet music is an exact reprint of the original, which ensures that no alterations have been done - they are faithful to the smallest degree. Most are piano+voice scores, but some also include guitar chords. Some songs are in German, some in French and some in English. "Mack the Knife" both in the original Dreigroschen Opera German version and in the English one.
The books are quite thick (might fall down from a sheet music stand), but well-bound and not very likely to break or fall apart. Some biographical/background info is also included in both volumes, as well as a few black-and-white photographs.
All in all, the anthology is a small treasure and you'd be hard-pressed to find all the individual songs in any bookshop or any other edition. So if you love Kurt Weill's music (and can read scores), you'll certainly love this collection.

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This shrink-wrapped set contains volumes 1 and 2.

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At This Theatre (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)For any theatre fan or history buff, Louis Botto's At This Theatre is an enjoyable and informative collection of colorfully-illustrated chapters chronicling the many productions and personalities playing at the existing theatres which together constitute "Broadway" today, this revised edition covering all current Tony-eligible houses with a history of legitimate productions (plus a few more theatrical venues in New York City), and including a useful index -- something missing from the first edition. One wishes, though, that this hefty volume could be even thicker, but for the many Broadway theatres now gone. However, of those legitimate stages which remain or which have been returned (or are returning) to theatrical glory, this book is an affectionate tribute to a century of plays and musicals on the Broadway stage and the many theatres which house them, some of which have become like a second home to some of us theatregoers. And at a time when corporations and other commercial producers have made it easy for a wary public to be cynical about the crass commercialism which has taken over so much of mainstream culture (including the renaming of some refurbished or rebuilt Broadway theatres), Brian Stokes Mitchell's thoughtful preface reminds us that there is a very human history and a living tradition at these theatres worth knowing and keeping in spite of it.

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This is the ultimate backstage tour of Broadway! AT THIS THEATRE tells the complete history of Broadway in the 20th century, theatre by theatre. This gorgeous book is now updated, revised and with a larger format, covering 1900 to 2001.PLAYBILL's columnist, Louis Botto, along with Robert Viagas, opens the doors and lets readers explore the 40 active Broadway theatres in New York. From the conception and design of the buildings, to their original creators, and on to the theatres' transformation, often under duress, from legitimate houses to vaudeville and Burlesque, to movie houses and then back to their original purpose, this book captures the magical world of Broadway.It is a complete and authoritative history that only Botto, the curator of PLAYBILL's incomparable 116-year-old archives, can tell. Expanded from his popular column in PLAYBILL magazine, AT THIS THEATRE is the biography of those living, breathing buildings wecall theatres. In this substantially updated version, Botto includes the histories of all the theatres rescued from the wrecker in the last ten years, including the American Airlines Theatre, Disney's New Amsterdam, and the Lyric and the Apollo, now combined into the Ford Center. AT THIS THEATRE is filled with great stories featuring a cast of characters including Ethel Merman, David Merrick, Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and Spencer Tracy. And it's also a theatrical spectacle boasting lavish illustrations of posters, programs, and photographs throughout. This is the gift book for every theatre lover on your list, including yourself!

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The Life of the Drama (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book came out of a series of lectures on drama that Bentley gave at Harvard in 60/61.
It's broken down thusly -

Part I - Aspects of a Play
1. Plot
2. Character
3. Dialogue
4. Thought
5. Enactment

Part II - Different Kinds of Plays
6. Melodrama
7. Farce
8. Tragedy
9. Comedy
10. Tragicomedy

For each section Bentley uses a number and variety of examples, from the Greeks up to Brecht.

The book can be thought of as asking two questions - Why do we like drama? What makes for good drama?
Amongst the many answers -
We like to see an imitation of life.
We like the companionship, of the players and fellow audience members.
It's interesting to see other peoples take on the world and life.

Bentley presents some big ideas but at the same time it was a fun read. He's got some strong opinions but he makes good cases for them. Virtually every page had something that made me think. The overall tone is that of an intelligent man talking frankly and directly with someone he considers equally intelligent.

He's erudite, anti-pedantic, and controversial (maybe counter-intuitive is a better term).

Here's an example of Bentley's erudition, from page 348 of the paperback -
"At the end of Balzac's play Mercadet, a certain Godeau arrives with money to solve everyone's problems; and at the end of Beckett's play the God of the Old or the New Testament could arrive to solve everyone's problems. That would be a happy ending indeed. That "Godot" does not come is what makes the play a parable of life as seen by modern man."

Here's some controversial/counter-intuitive stuff:
"The head office of all the education systems in the world is in Madison avenue." pg 349.
"In Praise of Self-Pity" - section in Melodrama chapter.
"In Praise of Types" - section in Character chapter.
"Without violence, there would be nothing in the world but goodness, and literature is not mainly about goodness: it is mainly about badness." page 221.

In sum, this is a very accomplished book about drama that is highly readable and offers a banquet of food for thought.

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"Eric Bentley's radical new look at the grammar of theatre...is a work of exceptional virtue...CENTRAL, INDISPENSABLE...The book justifies its title by being precisely about the ways in which life manifests itself in the theatre...THIS IS A BOOK TO BE READ AGAIN AND AGAIN." - Frank Kermode, The New York Review of Books

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Solos for Kids (Vocal Collection) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great book for the 2nd-5th grader. The Cd presents a full performance and then just accompaniment of each song. The full performances are sung by upper elementary kids and done well for the age. If you are interested in letting your children start voice lessons this is a great book to know before you begin.

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This book/CD pack is a unique collection designed especially for children singers auditioning for musical theatre or performing in various talent shows. The CD features performances by children singers, as well as the accompaniments-only so children can practice without needing a pianist. Songs include: The Rainbow Connection * Castle on a Cloud * Puff the Magic Dragon * Do-Re-Mi * and more.

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