Getting Away with Murder - Acting Edition [Paperback]

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

Sondheim and Furth's non-musical comedy thriller.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From the creators of the musicals Company and Merrily We Roll Along comes this non-musical murder mystery that played briefly in San Diego and New York in 1995-96. In addition to his many Tony- (and even Pulitzer-) winning musicals, Stephen Sondheim is known as a devotee of intricate puzzles. George Furth is known for bitingly witty dialog. The play tells what happens when members of a group therapy circle arrive to find their therapist murdered and evidence that one of them did it. They must work through their neuroses and discover the killer before, one by one, all of them are bumped off. Even the secondary efforts of the greats are worth analyzing, and now readers will have a chance to do what few theatergoers got to. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822215659
• ISBN-13: 978-0822215653
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it!, March 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting Away with Murder (Paperback)

I picked up a copy of "Getting Away With Murder" because I enjoy theatrical works that Terrence Mann has been in,and I figured this would be yet another that I liked. I'm really glad that I decided to get it.

Besides being a theatre fan,I love a good mystery. I couldn't put it down once I picked it up. Sondheim and Furth do such a wonderful job of establishing the setting and characters that I could vividly imagine what the staging of the play may have looked like. Each character clearly has dimension,and you really feel like you understand their motives and convictions.

"GAWM" is also filled with little plot quirks and devices that enhance the story. While it has a dark mood,there are some light comedic moments and caustic remarks that loosen things up. It is also interesting to see the slight difference in the alternate ending.

All in all,I recommend it. I'm not overly familiar with Sondheim's work,but I've found that his cerebral approach is a nice escape. As a closing note,I suggest paying attention to the names of the characters - you might learn something about them!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A witty and gripping script . . ., June 29, 2000

By 

Sean "jjpeachum" (LOOK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Away with Murder (Paperback)

This is a very good, well-made play. A social commentary in one sense, and Sondheim's stab at the seven deadly sins. It is very funny to read all of the bitchy quips being tossed back and forth by each of the patients. A dark atmosphere, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and you are always kept guessing. Finding out who the killer is at the end of the first act is a very daring device, and you are left to wonder what would possibly happen in the second act. It is hard for me to say anything more that the other reviewers haven't said, so I just suggest that all intellectuals out there buy this book and prepare to enjoy yourself. (You might even need a cigarette when you're done with this book, if you know what I mean . . . )

5.0 out of 5 stars Too far behind as usually Sondheim is. ¡Bravo Maestro!, May 17, 2006

By 

Lorenzo Gonzalez "Theater Lover" (Mexico, DF Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting Away with Murder (Paperback)

Sondheim is "the one" clasic composer in musical theater. Like a dramatist with his pal George he recreate the genre, playing with the clasical "who done it" putting the answer before the act I curtain. The second act is a complicity game with the audience or the reader, are the authors capable to mantain our atention? are still surprises?. Yes they can and yes there are many surprises. I feel that this is is a lovable work. Is well written and superbly structured. adding new touches to this genre. A must read.