Customer Reviews

Broadway's Most Wanted(TM): The Top 10 Book of Dynamic Divas, Surefire Showstoppers, and Box-Office Busts

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this for one of those people who don't need or want anything, but you feel like you should get SOMETHING for on their birthday. He is really into plays and Broadway soundtracks, so thought this might at least give him 10 minutes of mild interest if nothing else. And while it is not a book that anyone would read more than once (well, I wouldn't think so anyway!!), he did indeed find it interesting, and full of things about familiar plays and movies that he didn't know. And he has apparently had opportunities on several occasions already to use some of his new-found trivia at social gatherings, so was very happy with his present. Well worth the low price!

The book was a serious disappointment. Except in the "busts" category, the author equates big ticket sales with "best." Yes, Broadway is a business, and yes, box office is important. But some big sellers have been mediocre artistically, and some flops have been important.

He talks about some of the latter, it's true - but the overall feeling of the book is to show the biggest and shiniest. Also, how could anyone write such a book and not include, even once, the names Lerner and Loewe (there is one mention of My Fair Lady, but without naming its creators)? Many other omissions - too many to list, in fact. I found the book seriously flawed. There are lots of better books on Broadway. And if you want to read about flops, get "Not Since Carrie".

This is a great book. I learned something from every page and frequently laughed out loud from the hilarious descriptions. It's one of my favorite reference books. Thanks for writing it.

Delightfully chatty and catty as well. I particularly enjoyed the obscure bits and flops. Recommended.