Customer Reviews

Stop the Show! A History of Insane Incidents and Absurd Accidents in the Theater

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The first collection of theater's greatest blunders, from the West End and Broadway to the lowliest amateur theater, Stop the Show! revels in ruined lines, dangerous scenery, rude theatergoers, performers sabotaging each other and more.

Among the outrageous and mind-boggling events during live performances:
Richard Burton, after an afternoon of drinking with his brothers, accidentally urinates through his tights while swordfighting Michael Redgrave at Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Second City Toronto member who took LSD for the first time feels its effects hours later...in the middle of a comedy sketch, posing as a taxi cab driver.
A homeless woman climbs onstage during a production of Cats on Broadway, rubs up against stunned, costumed performers and begins singing off-key.
In London's intimate Bush Theatre, an actor finds himself onstage with a petrified burglar who sneaked inside the building to rob it, not knowing it was a theatre.
An April Fool's Day announcement in a Broadway theatre, claiming that Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfus and Gene Hackman all have understudies going on for them creates a mass exodus from the theatre before the audience can learn it's a joke.
"Mr. Schreiber's book of anecdotes should be deposited in every dressing room both on and off Broadway." -Eric Bogosian

The concept sounded great....funny stoties about productions, like film outtakes. We get the stories, but not the funny. The author blandly recites the details, with no real humor - I could count on one hand the ones that made me chuckle. Very disappointing...

A flavorful potpourri of anecdotes about real-life stage bloopers.

It's a smooth and delightful read that makes you wish you'd been there to witness the often hilarious situations described.

'Stop the Show' is truly as its subtitle implies - insane and absurd and very hilarious. A friend bought it for me and I went out a bought a few for my theatrical friends. It's a great gift and a great gift for yourself.

Hilarious stories that you'll want to share with others.
I absolutely loved this book and am buying some copies for friends. If you're an actor, playwright, director or a dyed-in-the-wool theater fan, you'll really enjoy this book. Brad Schreiber's collected some of the best backstage (and audience) stories ever heard. I can't recommend this more highly and can't wait for the next installation. I want more!

Try not to shake the bed from laughing while you read this one at night! This hilarious collection of theatrical gaffes, mishaps and goof-ups is good old-fashioned fun! It makes a great gift, too - 'cause whether you're in the theater or not, we all screw up!

This book is a must for anyone who loves the theater, and is a fun read for anybody. Most of the anecdotes are quite amusing. The 'mishaps' are each told in a brief, 2-page-or-less missive, so it is perfect for when you want a book handy to pick up whenever you need a quick laugh.

Funny and at times cringe-worthy through tears of laughter. A must for theatre geeks everywhere!

A funny and fascinating look at just how wrong things can go onstage. A must-read for anybody with an interest in theater or acting -- or just having some yuks at the expense of master and not-so-masterful thespians. Should be handed out as required reading for those who dare to tread the boards wearing less than full body armor.

"Stop the Show" is a great read not only for theatre buffs, but for anyone looking for a good laugh and a glimpse behind the curtain. It overflows with Schreiber's wry anecdotes, and the theatrical mishaps he skilfully chronicles leave an indelible impression.