Performing Arts

World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music by Jeff Tweedy - Book Review

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World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music By Jeff Tweedy Cover Image
$26.00
ISBN: 9780593472521
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Published: Dutton - November 7th, 2023

Using fifty well-known or obscure songs as his launching pad, Tweedy blasts off into musical riffs about his adolescence, society, the music industry, gigs in bars, world tours, and most importantly, the eternal gift of music. Funny and honest from the first note to the last. ~ Reviewed by Mike Hare


Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter - Book Review

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Unprotected: A Memoir By Billy Porter Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9781419746208
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Published: Abrams Press - October 25th, 2022

If you only know him from his show-stopping red-carpet appearances, or from reading his bio on the back cover, you'll have no inkling of what it took this queer, black powerhouse of talent to earn his place in today's pop culture. The word is resilience. As an abused child, he fought his way to be able to study at the schools that he knew would prepare him for a life in the theater. Achieving his dream would come at a high price; racial prejudice, homophobia, and the AIDS crisis were all part of his struggle to not only survive, but to rise to be a star on Broadway, TV, and movies. I came away with utmost respect and admiration. ~ Reviewed by Lauren Singer


A Pocketful of Happiness: A Memoir by Richard E. Grant - Book Review

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A Pocketful of Happiness: A Memoir By Richard E. Grant Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781668030691
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Published: Simon & Schuster - August 1st, 2023

The most beautifully written and thoughtful testament to grieving for a loved one that I’ve had the privilege to read. Grant takes us through the sadness and pain of losing his wife too early, but with such a beautiful touch and lyrical hand. His wife made him promise that after she was gone, that he would find himself a pocketful of happiness every day, even on the worst days, and we see his struggle to do so, but also the great gift she gave him with those words. Just stunning. ~ Reviewed by Becky Doherty


Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah - Book Review

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Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood By Trevor Noah Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780399588198
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Published: One World - February 12th, 2019

The most I've ever cracked up from a book was reading "Go Hitler" (Chapter 15) for the first time. Trevor Noah flashes all his chops as a master storyteller in this collection of hilarious, fascinating, and sometimes tragic portraits from a childhood in a country that outlawed his very existence. ~ Reviewed by David Gray-Smith


Hitchcock's Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director's Dark Obsession by Laurence Leamer - Book Review

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Hitchcock's Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director's Dark Obsession By Laurence Leamer Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9780593542972
Availability: Click Title for IN STORE Location
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons - October 10th, 2023

Notorious for his ultimate control of his films, Hitchcock equally desired control of his beautiful, blonde female stars. Ceding their identity to Hitchcock's vision, these leading ladies frequently endured physical or emotional scars that lingered long after he moved on to the next fetching blonde. ~ Reviewed by Mike Hare


Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sunday in the Park with George by James Lapine - Book Review

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Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created
$25.00
ISBN: 9781250849137
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Published: Picador - May 2nd, 2023

Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sundays in the Park With George by James Lapine. A fascinating memoir into the process of creating a groundbreaking musical from the director and the writer of the book for the musical. Interviews all the contributors that make the play happen. Also has the book for the whole play in the back. Sondheim's music is so amazing and he died not too long ago, and this book is such an insightful glimpse into how much collaboration goes into putting an original musical on Broadway that it makes a fine tribute. ~ Reviewed by Paul Thompson


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