Customer Reviews

Year Of The Pearl: The Life of a New York Repertory Company

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I read this book as I began my college theatre studies and now years later looking back, I picked it up again. For those who always wondered what goes on behind the scenes in a small theatre company, or for those who have been there and want to see themselves reflected, this is the book. The petty arguments, artistic personalities, technical difficulties, and money troubles are all there. Highly recommended as a quick and interesting read- this literary documentary made me want a job at the Pearl, if nothing, just to meet all the interesting people introduced in the book.

It is hard to know who this book was aimed at. Because Hapgood takes time to explain the obvious (such as the fact that not all theaters have curtains but use lighting to signal the start of a play), it appears that he intends the book for people who have never attended a theater. But the concerns of this book are so parochial that there is little to interest non-theatrical readers.
There is some delightful unintentional humor and a good deal of backstage drama can be inferred between the lines. But you will have to wade through tons of puffery to get at the interest.