Broadway Stories: A Backstage Journey Through Musical Theatre [Hardcover]

Marty Bell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This treasure trove presents focused narratives by men and women (one as young as 12 years old) who have made the Broadway musical theater their home. Sixteen chapters chronicle the hits and misses inherent to the musical stage, recounted by an actor or member of the creative team. With his "fly-on-the-wall" perspective, author Bell clearly captures the thespians' love for their work and respect for the musical theater tradition. Not a retrospective, this volume discusses musicals from the recent past (distinguishing this volume from the recent Sing Out Louise! , LJ 9/1/93). It is particularly nice that each chapter stands alone, making for great reading during times when interruptions are inevitable. Recommended for all theater collections, including those of school libraries.
- Diane H. Albosta, Episcopal H.S. Lib., Alexandria, Va.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: Limelight Editions; 1st Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids ed edition (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879101741
• ISBN-13: 978-0879101749
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,359,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Book, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Broadway Stories: A Backstage Journey Through Musical Theatre (Hardcover)

This is a well-written, fascinating book that gives real insights into the inner workings of Broadway. I agree with the previous reviewer that this should be a "must have" for anyone interested in Broadway and musical theatre.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I OWN OVER TWENTY BOOKS ON THEATRE: THIS IS THE BEST, November 15, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Broadway Stories: A Backstage Journey Through Musical Theatre (Hardcover)

I almost don't want to give this a "10," for fear your expectations will be too high. (Do we remember "Forrest Gump"; I went to that one thinking I'd die and come back as Lea Salonga. No, this one is definitely a keeper. It's a collection of 10-12 interviews of Broadway actors: from large, black men to small, waif- like children, kudos to Marty Bell for interviewing such an eclectic group of performers! It's a page turner...I read it again and again! Trust me...DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Season for a new generation!, July 25, 2000

By 

Matthew Murray (New York City, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Broadway Stories: A Backstage Journey Through Musical Theatre (Hardcover)

As William Goldman's landmark book The Season so well captured Broadway of the late 1960s, so does Broadway Stories capture Broadway of the 1990s. The similarity between the two books is quite obvious, and while The Season ends up being a little more profound, Marty Bell's book is extremely entertaining and informative. Each chapter of the book focuses on a different creative force: An actor or actress, a director, or a choreographer, and how their triumphs (or tragedies) during the 1991-1992 season helped contribute to Broadway. The backstage stories are a must-read for any theatre enthusiast, though Bell does not succeed at making biographical information on his subjects an organic part of his storytelling, and that really gets in the way of his otherwise well-written chronicles. A great companion piece to The Season or wonderful in its own right, you should definitely read Broadway Stories.