The Show Makers : Great Directors of the American Musical Theatre

"As it says in Gypsy: "You either got it or you ain"t." --Arthur Laurents"There's no secret to working with kids. They either charm you and you can work with them, or they don't charm you and you feel you're stuck with them." --Jerome Robbins"It's sort of a maternal kind of leadership: strong but accessible. I don't have children, but it is a very maternal feeling that I feel when I become the director, when I become the leader." --Graciela Daniele"The thing that you can most do is empower any artist to feel as though they have a right to go on the journey." --George C. Wolfe"Just take a look at some of the musicals on the boards. Take a look at how abominable some of the acting is, and you'll understand that these people have not been directed to act." --Jerry Zaks The Show Makers are twelve of the most creative and influential directors of the contemporary musical theatre. Lawrence Thelen creates lively portraits of theatre people at work. James Lapine's early involvement with photography becomes an influence on Sunday in the Park with George. Harold Prince's early desire to be a playwright is rechanneled into directing. George C. Wolfe speaks of the ongoing involvement of black artist with musicals since the last century. Jerome Robbins, in his final interview, on collaboration and the role of dance in the musical.Lawrence Thelen's book is part theatre history, part interview volume, part celebration. Richly anecdotal, it communicates the passion and joy that motivate our wizards of the musical stage. The Show Makers describes twelve of the most creative and influential directors of contemporary musical theatre. Thelen creates lively portraits of theatre people at work. James Lapine's early involvement with photography becomes an influence on Sunday in the Park With George. Harold Prince's early desire to be a playwright is rechannelled into directing. George C. Wolfe speaks of the involvement of black artists with musicals since the last century. Jerome Robbins, in his final interview, discusses collaboration and the role of dance in the musical. Thelen's book is part theatre history, part interview volume, part celebration. Richly anecdotal, it communicates the passion and joy that motivate our wizards of the stage. "In twelve portraits, Lawrence Thelen lets us see how these creative minds work, and what it takes to make musical theatre happen."--BOOK JACKET. "Backstage with Lawrence Thelen we listen as these directors talk about careers and ideas. James Lapine's early involvement with photography becomes an influence on Sunday in the Park with George; Harold Prince's early desire to be a playwright is rechanneled into directing; George C. Wolfe speaks of the ongoing involvement of black artists with musicals since the last century; Jerome Robbins, in his final interview, considers collaboration and the role of dance in the musical."--BOOK JACKET. "In twelve portraits, Lawrence Thelen lets us see how these creative minds work, and what it takes to make musical theatre happen." "Backstage with Lawrence Thelen we listen as these directors talk about careers and ideas. James Lapine's early involvement with photography becomes an influence on Sunday in the Park with George; Harold Prince's early desire to be a playwright is rechanneled into directing; George C. Wolfe speaks of the ongoing involvement of black artists with musicals since the last century; Jerome Robbins, in his final interview, considers collaboration and the role of dance in the musical."--Résumé de l'éditeur Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 acknowledgments......Page 6 preface......Page 8 making the show......Page 12 Martin Charnin......Page 28 Graciela Daniele......Page 50 James Lapine......Page 70 Arthur Laurents......Page 86 Richard Maltby Jr.......Page 106 Des McAnuff......Page 126 Mike Ockrent......Page 144 Tom O'Horgan......Page 162 Harold Prince......Page 182 Jerome Robbins......Page 202 George C.Wolfe......Page 220 Jerry Zaks......Page 238 about the author......Page 258 index......Page 260 This volume features twelve of the most creative and influential directors of the contemporary musical theatre. Topics include the involvement of black artists with musicals since the 19th century and the role of dance in the musical The Show Makers describes twelve of the most creative and influential directors of contemporary musical theatre. Richly anecdotal, The Show Makers communicates the passion and joy which motivates these directors Martin Charnin is the director and lyricist of one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history. First published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.