Customer Reviews

How Does the Show Go On: An Introduction to the Theater

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I wish I'd had this when I was a kid. I got a copy fresh off the presses and immediately ordered more for my nieces and nephews. I've always worked on the other side of the stage- in the business aspect- so it's even a great education for me!

like the first reviewer...I wish I had something like this to read as a child...but I am sharing it with my niece and she has already been in some school productions and loves LOVES it!
great job...
I should add that ANY book by Jeff Kurtti is not only well researched and presented.. but can often become a treasured collectible as his book on the Sherman Brothers is, so get em while you can!

I would have given up my Donny Osmond album collection to have had this book when I was 13.

My Inner Andrea McArdle never wanted this book to end! With every page turned, a new adventure and great information literally popped out at me...in a most delightful way.

This book is at the top of my list for my surrogate nieces and nephews who go around humming songs from "Wicked" and "The Lion King" and who dream of shining onstage themselves one day. Two of them have had their noses planted in this incredible book for the past week with no signs of coming up for air anytime soon.

Inspiring, informative, intelligent, and all-around wonderful....a "must buy" of effortless enjoyment for everyone, not just kids!

This book, written by the head of Disney Theatricals (Lion King, Aida, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast), provides an engaging back-stage look at everything it takes to put on a show. The book is geared toward students more than, say, theatrical attorneys or seasoned pros. What makes it particularly special is the innovative design of the book. There are countless treasures to be found inside, which the reader can remove from the book, examine and learn from. (For those familiar with the Griffin & Sabine series, the removable love letters in those books come to mind).

For example, when the book discusses the Box Office and Ticketing system, it includes a real envelope that the reader can open and take out a sample ticket for close eamination. When the book discusses stage lighting, there is a pouch with a removable script, complete with the hand-written markings that the lighting person works from. The discussion of make-up is nicely enhanced by a clear gel that the reader can lift up to see the actor without make-up and put down to show what he looks like fully made-up. The discussion of costumes includes reproductions of the actual design sketches from the Broadway production). These and other "exhibits" make reading the book a very interactive experience for the reader and gives real-world context to the information Mr. Schumacher is providing.

The hard cover of the book opens in the center (like a gate on two hinges), immediately giving the impression of a curtain opening and setting the tone for the rest of the book. While the book focuses on the Disney shows mentioned above (except High School Musical, which was not a Broadway show--only a tour), that is not a limitation at all. They provide ample material to illustrate the points the author wants to make, and the photographs and illustrations are really wonderful. I think anyone interested in theater--or just curious about how things are done-- would enjoy this book and while it is, as I said, probably ideal for students (as young as 6, old as whatever--I enjoyed it and I am in my 30's) even a seasoned theater-goer would come away with at least handful of "I didn't know that" or "So THAT's how that's done!" moments. Absolutely worth the price of admission.

This is hands down one of the best books on theatre every written. The presentation is amazing, the photos are beautiful and the little bits and pieces of "hands on" theatre items are incredible.
This book is NOT just for children (but aren't we all?), and I wish that it had been around YEARS ago. I just sent out 5 for Christmas presents and know that it is going to make a of smiles, "oh & awes", and "WOWs".

This books is supposedly targeted at kids, to teach them how the theater works, but as a lifelong Broadway fan, I was mesmerized. The author found a very creative way to present the backstage elements that go into putting on a Broadway show while being lots of fun. For example, there is a very imaginative "before and after" display showing how makeup changes and actor's appearance and plays a critical role in creating a new reality for the stage. I think this is also a bargain in terms of price--in fact, I cannot imagine how the publisher is making money off this product, given the difficult printing job and the inclusion of so many "take out" elements to show examples of scripts and the like...Could be just a loss leader to help Disney draw a new generation of kids to live theater--a noble goal. You can't go wrong with this high quality product.

One of the biggest changes the theater has seen of late was Disney's successful track record with bringing their story-telling to the stage. As with most of Disney's greatest successes, their efforts were immediately unique as they ignored many of the rules along the way. In the process, their shows introduced a new audience to the wonders of live theater. So it's only appropriate that the coolest book that ever covers the theater experience comes to us from Thomas Schumacher, the head of Disney Theatricals.

A good play begins with its script- its storyline. Here the journey is suggested in text, providing a beginning, middle and an end. Likewise, this book begins with a telling, informative narrative. It describes in simple yet effective words practically every element of the theatrical experience, be it on stage, backstage or in the 3rd row of the balcony. What will you experience from the moment you arrive at the theater all the way through the end of the curtain call? This book and a little imagination provide answers to that question quite fully. But watching a show is only the beginning. We also experience the many house activities, to the backstage work, to belting a song center stage and even at the initial creative meetings. It's quite simple and informative.

Like any play that begins with a good script, the creative job to follow is how to tell that story. For anyone who has seen any of Disney's Broadway shows, you know that their "way" is simply stunning. From THE LION KING's introduction of Simba to MARY POPPINS' flying retreat over the balcony; from TARZAN's use of vertical stage work to AIDA's mix of modern stagework with a classic tale, the Disney audience usually leaves richly experience. So it should come as no surprise that the book is as beautiful and wild an experience as the works it trumpets. Not only is the book a collage of beautiful photographs easily identifiable to the Disney fan, but they are also surrounded by mixed media samples such as removable ticket booklets, script pages and even costume designs.
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON? is a great book for the theater novice and also the seasoned veteran. It's a nice wink to the audience, a pat on the back to the backstage crew, a nod to the creators and a standing ovation to the performers. Check it out!

I gave this beautiful book to my granddaughter on her 9th birthday. She was just in her first theatrical play ln Nov. She asked one of those questions that the book happens to have the answer for. Why do you say "Break a leg"?
This book is written for children but I suggest everyone who has ever been to the theater pick this one up it's a keeper!!!!

I saw this book reviewed on tv and instantly knew it was something that I would be interested in. I work in theatre and have never seen a book that explains the basics of theatre so clearly and so cleverly than this book. I totally believe in exposing your children to all kinds of art especially theatre. This book will help them learn all the backstage things that happen and hopefully strike their interest enough to some day get involved in theatre of some kind. With the growing interest in high school musicals, this would definitely benefit any student involved in that type of theatre.

If you've ever gone to a Broadway style production of any type of show (Disney or not), you'll love this book. From stage design to costumes, tickets to lighting, it's all covered in this book in a very fun style. Part of the book is like an exploration itself. There are pop-up's, sample theatre tickets, and a lot more which make this book a great introduction to the world of Broadway.