Backstage: Broadway Behind the Curtain [Hardcover]

Rivka Shifman Katvan (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

“One of my least favorite things in the world is to pose for pictures. I have never been that comfortable in front of a still camera . . . until Rivka. But then, you don’t ‘pose’ for Rivka . . . you simply ‘are,’ and she’s right there to catch the moment.”

–Carol Burnett
Dreams may come true on the stage, but they’re made behind the scenes. From frenzied last-minute rehearsals to costume transformations to nightly curtain-call countdowns, backstage routines and rituals create an energy unique to each performance. Rivka Katvan captures these revealing moments in Backstage, her exclusive collection of photographs spanning the past two decades of Broadway theater.
Elizabeth Taylor prepping for her entrance in The Little Foxes; Cabaret’s Alan Cumming meditating outdoors; Kevin Kline shooting the breeze with his dresser: this is a world theater-lovers can see only in the pages of this book. Katvan’s subjects range from anonymous chorus members to such luminaries as Julie Andrews, Jason Robards, Glenn Close, Angela Lansbury, Brian Dennehy, Gregory Hines, and Kevin Spacey—award-winning actors whose appeal extends far beyond the Great White Way. Quotes from some of the subjects and a foreword by legendary producer Harold Prince celebrate the unseen ways in which a Broadway cast puts it all together.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rivka Shifman Katvan's photographs have been exhibited at the Museum of the City of New York, the International Center of Photography, and the Museum of Television and Radio. Her work has been published in such national magazines as Harper's Bazaar, the New York Times Magazine, and Detour, as well as in numerous books, including Abrams' Theater in America and Sondheim.

Ethan Silverman is a theater director, writer, and producer who has worked in New York, Rome, Moscow, and London. He lives in New York City.

Harold Prince has been a powerful presence in the theater community for 40 years, either directing or producing many of Broadway's most successful musicals, including Cabaret, Damn Yankees, Phantom of the Opera, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. He is the recipient of 20 Tony Awards.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810957094
• ISBN-13: 978-0810957091
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 10.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,214,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous, artistic look backstage, June 1, 2001

By 

Andee G (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backstage: Broadway Behind the Curtain (Hardcover)

The first thing I have to say is- I adore this book. I received it a few days ago, and it makes a lovely addition to my coffee table. Everyone who has come into my house since has commented on it. The photography is clever, as we often see numerous photographs taken of various productions onstage, but not nearly as many taken from the perpective of life backstage.

Each photograph has an interesting artistic viewpoint (one of Jim Dale putting on makeup for Barnum sticks on vividly in my mind), and they give you not only insight on the actor's personality, but also on the personalities that each actor gives his or her character. The book also contains interesting quotes from the actors represented, and insightful commentary on life backstage. All in all, this book is a really wonderful addition to anyone's theatre collection, one of the first I've seen to really dive into the actor's life backstage.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great and personal look at backstage life, July 27, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Sarasota, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backstage: Broadway Behind the Curtain (Hardcover)

Rivka Katvan, whose photography has been seen many times in many places, is honest, poigniant and natural. You see actors at their most natural and human, and the quotes the actors have provided are all great. I have also found a wonderful, inspirational poem on Christiane Noll's dressing mirror. I reccomend the book simply for that, if for no other reason.