New Books Create a Step-By-Step Process for the Arts of the Stage
Wendy Smith reviews several new instructional books on stage arts.
Books
Performer Ron Athey Receives Due Credit In New Catalogue Raisnee
Controversial performer get his due after public scorn from the media and U.S. Congress.
Thinking like a Critic
Matthew Irwin makes a case for arts journalism in the 21st century.
Ground-Breakers and Musical Makers, From Mamoulian to Harburg to Robbins
Two books celebrate an undersung directorial genius, while two others look at a path-finding lyricist and a seminal show.
Shakespeare Is for Everyone, and There’s a Different Book for Each Reason Why
Enthusiasm for the ‘miraculous language’ of the Bard shows no signs of abating—nor do arguments about his legacy and contemporary relevance.
Behind the Renaissance Man: A Review of ‘In Two Minds: A Biography of Jonathan Miller’
The book examines Miller’s efforts to pursue a career in theatre and practice medicine.
The Directions They Took
New volumes about stage directors, Jack O’Brien and Jonathan Miller, who’ve had larger-than-life—you might even say dramatic—careers.
Leon Katz’s Anti-Rule Book
A lion of play analysis summarizes his life’s work in a liberating tome.
The Book’s the Thing
A good play makes you think, but the exquisite little play-books from 53rd State Press are objects of contemplation in themselves.
Identity and the Word
A new anthology stages a conversation between hip-hop culture and the world at large.