At This Theater
by Louis Botto

"Tells the complete history of Broadway in the 20th century, theatre by theatre"

-- A.M. (Phil Gellis)

A Most Ingenious Paradox:
The Art of Gilbert & Sullivan
by Gayden Wren

"An absolute must-read for the aficionado of the Savoy operas. Mr. Wren is one of the country's most highly regarded authorities on G&S and has written a number of plays about the pair and their history. This book really is the definitive history of G&S ... their lives, their works together, their works with other collaborators, their legacy etc etc etc."

-- PhilG (Phil Gellis)

Act One
by Moss Hart

"Along with Ghost Light, it shows the enthusiasm that the authors felt about the theater growing up and reminds us of how we felt when we first started attending theater."

-- theOtherJames

Backstage: Broadway Behind the Curtain
by Rivka Katvan

"The look into backstage is amazing and the photography is beautiful."

-- theaterwench

"A nice coffee table book. There are many pictures from the casts of Cabaret, Hedwig, On the 20th Century, Putting It Together. It's wonderful and a must have for any theatre lover."

-- HelloKitty

Broadway Babies Say Goodnight:
Musicals Then and Now
by Mark Steyn

Recommended by nycbhh

Broadway, the Golden Years:
Jerome Robbins and the Great Choreographer Directors, 1940 to the Present
by Robert Emmet Long

"Primarily a series of short biographical essays on choreographer-directors Agnes de Mille, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Bennett, and Tommy Tune, with Robbins getting the lion's share of the attention. :

-- A.M.

Close-up on Sunset Boulevard: Billy Wilder, Norma Desmond, and the Dark Hollywood Dream
by Sam Staggs

"Like All About All About Eve, this book is a juicy documentation of Billy Wilder's film, the private life of Gloria Swanson in using the film as her comeback, the eventual musicalization of the film and the bouncing divas involved with the production. It's full of anecdotes, side comments, pictures and plenty of "gossip" about the "Dark Hollywood Dream", as the book jacket suggests. I've read it three times!!

-- chaz

Colored Lights : Forty Years of Words and Music, Show Biz, Collaboration, and All That Jazz
by John Kaner, Fred Ebb, and Greg Lawrence

a delightful and often fascinating book that will surely give great pleasure to anyone who loves the work of these talented men.
Review by Alan Gomberg

Costume Design: Techniques of Modern Masters
by Lynn Pecktal, Tony Walton

Recommended by PJ

Dazzler: The Life and Times of Moss Hart
by Steven Bach

"A wonderful biography of one of the greatest directors of stage and screen, and completes the story told by Hart, himself, in his own book Act One."

-- JohnM

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida: Bringing the Broadway Musical to Life
by Michael Lassell, Tim Rice

Recommended by Clarion86

Enter the Players
by Thomas S. Hischak

Encycopedia of the stage work of 976 New York actors.

-- A.M.

Everything Was Possible:
The Birth of the Musical Follies
by Ted Chapin

"This book is an essential part of the history of Follies. Chapin had an exceptional degree of access to what went on, and he has arranged what he saw into an often thrilling read. If you are a fan of Follies, this book is a must. If you hardly know the show, you may be inspired to get to know it better. And, even those who don't like the show may find this book a fascinating backstage story."

-- Review by Alan Gomberg

"One of the best chronicles of the making of the musical ever written."

-- theatertalk

Four By Sondheim
by Stephen Sondheim, Hugh Wheeler, James Lapine, Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart

"Because everyone needs a little Sondheim in their life, and this is a great collection of four of his classic works."

-- CKDexter

Ghost Light: A Memoir
by Frank Rich

"This is a wonderful autobiography that is required reading for every theater fan. It will make you, laugh, cry and most importantly, reaffirm the necessity of theater in your life."

-- Ronnik

"Because he had an interesting upbringing, who knew?"

-- missdona

Also recommended by theOtherJames

The Girl Who Fell Down: A Biography of
Joan McCracken
by Lisa Jo Sagolla

"First biography of McCracken, who established the prototype dancer-comedienne, headlining in ballet, stage, film, and television productions before her life was tragically cut short by complications from diabetes."

-- A.M.

Haunted by Home : The Life and Letters of Lynn Riggs
by Lynn Riggs, Phyllis C. Braunlich

"Musicals based on two of his works will be seen this season."

-- Laurey

Hairspray: The Roots
by Mark O'Donnell, Thomas Meehan, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman

"... includes the libretto of the show -- along with hilarious anecdotes from the authors ... dance step diagrams and full-color bouffant wigs to copy and cut out ..."

Hirschfeld on Line
by Al Hirschfeld (Illustrator)

"Delightful coffee table book serves up the images of Broadway (and more) by the 20th Century's finest caricaturist/illustrator. It would make a terrific gift."

-- Old Man

Hot Seat : Theater Criticism for the New York Times, 1980-1993
by Frank Rich

"A wonderful resource for any theatre fan featuring reviews and commentary from a well-regarded source."

-- Steve Parsons

Jerry Herman: The Lyrics
by Jerry Herman and Ken Bloom

"The tibits and trivia ... plus personal annecdotes and comments interspersed throughout the book by Herman himself, and the abundant supply of rare photographs make this an important book for all fans and students of American musical theatre history - even if you don't think you need a full collection of Herman lyrics."

-- A.M.

Let's Put on a Musical
by Peter Filichia

"Tells you anything and everything you need to know if you're looking to produce a show; also a very interesting read if you aren't.

-- Andy

Lost Broadway Theatres
by Nicholas Van Hoogstraten

"Great theatre history and a look at some beautiful treasures now gone."

-- Buzz Hauser

Midnight Frolic
by Marcelle Earle, Arthur, Jr Homme

"The life story of a Ziegfeld Girl, who happens to hold the record of appearing in the most Ziegfeld productions. Yes, even more then me."

-- ZiegfeldGirl (Christine)

Mielziner: Master of Modern Stage Design
by Mary C. Henderson, Frank Rich

Recommended by RGNYC (Rebecca Gilpin)

More Broadway Musicals : Since 1980
by Martin Godfried

"This collection is a great overview of the musical theatre and gives the reader some great insight into the people who have made Musical Theatre what it is today."

-- NSFAN

More Opening Nights on Broadway : A Critical Quotebook of the Musical Theatre from 1965 Through 1981
by Steve Suskin

"A MUST for musical fans! Just open to any page and dig in."

-- Buzz Hauser

"For the Broadway historian in us all...a listing of what opened when and what critics of the time thought of the shows when they opened."

-- jogle

"Informative AND entertaining! I find [both volumes], which detail every musical that opened on Broadway during these seasons invaluable. I find myself consulting them constantly to research information or for just a really enjoyable read about the history and reviews of a show when I am playing the CD."

-- bruceb (Bruce Bossard)

Musical Stages
by Richard Rodgers, introduction by Mary Rodgers

This autobiography is a fascinating look into the mind of the composer of such classics as Pal Joey and Oklahoma! What I really enjoyed is the author's behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and creation of some of the theatre's (and film's) best loved musicals and songs as well as his relationship with Larry Hart and his transition from that long-term partnership to his ground-breaking work with Oscar Hammerstein.

-- perfectlyfrank

Not Since Carrie : Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops
by Ken Mandelbaum

"Mr. Mandelbaum has written a must have for all theatre buffs. He goes over countless flops, beginning, and ending, with Carrie. It's a fascinating, often times humorous read."

-- Buddy (Nate Gardner)

On Acting
by Laurence Olivier

"In a word - insightful."

-- CM from NY

One More Kiss:
The Broadway Musicals in the '70s
by Ethan Mordden

"A thoroughly-detailed, colorful trip through 1970s musicals."

-- WesternActor

Open a New Window : The Broadway Musical in the 1960s
by Ethan Mordden

"A detailed and insightful history of the period; I had a great time reading it."

-- theatretalk

"A valentine to 1960s Musical Theatre."

-- Bobster

"The latest in Mordden's excellent decade-by-decade survey of the Broadway musical."

-- Adam Feldman

"Or, if you really like them--ALL of his decade books!"

-- Pam

Opening Night on Broadway: A Critical Quotebook of the Golden Era of the Musical Theatre, "Oklahoma!" (1943) to "Fiddler on the Roof" (1964)
by Steven Suskin

"For the Broadway historian in us all...a listing of what opened when and what critics of the time thought of the shows when they opened."

-- jogle

Original Story by Arthur Laurents: A Memoir of Broadway and Hollywood
by Arthur Laurents

"The dishiest book of the year from the renaissance man who was not only the first director to hire Barbra Streisand on B'way, but whose brilliant book for West Side Story was the source of many of the classic lyrics. This is a genius who's been there, done that (and them) and is still hell bent on doing it."

-- GladysBumps

Pictures I Had to Take
by Joel Grey

"... the first monograph by acclaimed actor Joel Grey is a highly personal visual memoir of Grey's experiences while living and raveling in Europe, Asia, South and Central America, and the United States over the last twenty-five years."

-- A.M.

Producing Theatre : A Comprehensive Legal and Business Guide
Donald C. Farber

"I always wondered how the Weisslers got away with it until I read this book."

-- Laverne

Respect for Acting
by Uta Hagen, Haskel Frankel

It is still so relevant!"

-- Staci

Shakespeare Our Contemporary
by Jan Kott

Made me see Shakespeare in a completely new light."

-- DKNJ

Show Time A Chronology of Broadway and the Theatre from its Beginnings to the Present
by Gene Brown

Recommended by Richard Connema

Somewhere for Me: A Biography of Richard Richard Rodgers
by Meryle Secrest

In honor of his Centennial Year, why not read the life and times of the legendary composer. From the jazzy "Lady is a Tramp" to the majestic "Climb Every Mountain," Rodgers' music has put an indelible stamp on the American Musical Stage and a nation is forever grateful."

-- Frank Soldo

The New York Times Book of Broadway : On the Aisle for the Unforgettable Plays of the Last Century
by Ben Brantley, editor

An anthology of some of the best Times reviews of the 20th century by critics including Alexander Wolcott, Brooks Atkinson, Howard Taubman, Clive Barnes, Frank Rich, Brantley himself and more. Both a great read and reference (with good photos too)."

-- fly

The Season : A Candid Look at Broadway
by William Goldman, Frank Rich (Introduction)

Anyone interested in the business of Broadway should read this book." Goldman's analysis is over 30 years old (he takes a look at each play that opened in the 1967-68 season), but still right on target. This is not just a collection of facts and figures, however, as the book is filled with first-hand anecdotes that are always interesting and often hilarious. Goldman is passionate and opinionated, and as a result turns a topic that could have been deadly dull into a book that reads as well as (or better than) most novels."

-- MikeR

Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer
by Philip Furia

" ... the story of the tormented but glorious life and career of Johnny Mercer, and the first biography of this enormously popular and influential lyricist."

-- A.M.

The Stuff of Dreams: Behind the Scenes of an American Community Theater
by Leah Hager Cohen

I have never read a book or seen a film that accurately describes the non-professional theatre world until this one. Totally without the condescending tone of even the better books, this is a completely riveting account of what the experience is like with all its joys and all its craziness. Hats off to the author and to the theater group that allowed itself to put under this microscope. It turned out beautifully for all concerned."

-- Steve Rosenthal

The Sweater Book: Hundreds of People...One Common Thread
by Stephen Mosher

"New York photographer Stephen Mosher has compiled a collection of over five hundred photographs into The Sweater Book: Hundreds of People ... One Common Thread. The book was created to benefit various AIDS charities and displays a veritable Who's Who of entertainment industry folk, each clad in the same sweater."

-- Interview by Jonathan Frank

Uncle Mame : The Life of Patrick Dennis
by Eric Myers

My favorite of the year. It's a fascinating tale of the somewhat bizarre life of an interesting man."

-- Kwamina

Women Who Write Plays : Interviews With American Dramatist (An Art of Theater Book
by Alexis Greene (Editor)

"A collection of 23 interviews with American dramatists like Theresa Rebeck, The Five Lesbian Brothers, Kia Corthron, Lynn Nottage, Eve Ensler, Diana Son, Tina Howe, Paula Vogel, Cheryl West, Pearl Cleage and others."

-- Rosecow

Working on the Inside: : The Spiritual Life Through the Eyes of Actors
by Retta Blaney

" In 10 chapters illustrating different aspects of the "universal spiritual life," Vanessa Williams, Liam Neeson, Kristin Chenoweth and others share their personal religious practices and explain why faith, silence, prayer and community are particularly necessary for actors ..."

-- A.M.

A Year with the Producers
by Jeffry Denman

"A delightfully charming journey of a working actor. This is an honest and funny look at the ups and downs and insecurities and triumphs of life on broadway. I can't think of a better book I've read this year."

-- sueberoo