THE SCENE'S SUMMER BREAK READING LIST 2023!
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email:
THE BROADWAY BEAT: What it took to create the Museum of Broadway | How the team on Back to the Future leverage’s nostalgia for a fresh musical experience | What's It Like Understudying a Star on Broadway? | Sheldon Harnick, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Lyricist, Dies at 99 | Lynn Nottage honored by New York Women’s Foundation | Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad to star in ‘Gutenberg! The Musical’ on Broadway
HOT TOPICS: The Big Crunch: Theatre’s Labor and Materials Crisis | What it feels like to have your history-making play canceled during the Taper’s closure | Stranger Sings to Stream Once Again | Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb and more to be Kennedy Center honorees | The Civilians and Princeton University Partner for New Shows About the Environment
THE BIG IDEA: The Scene’s Summer Break reading list 2023!
The Broadway Beat
WHAT IT TOOK TO CREATE THE MUSEUM OF BROADWAY - Co-founders Julie Boardman and Diane Nicoletti uncover how they built the first-ever museum dedicated to the art and industry of Broadway.
HOW THE TEAM ON BACK TO THE FUTURE LEVERAGES NOSTALGIA FOR A FRESH MUSICAL EXPERIENCE - What excites the cast and crew about Broadway’s take on the paradigmatic film
WHAT'S IT LIKE UNDERSTUDYING A STAR ON BROADWAY? – The Talented actors covering Ben Platt, Jodie Comer and other celebrities on what it takes to go on.
SHELDON HARNICK, ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’ LYRICIST, DIES AT 99 - His collaborations with the composer Jerry Bock also included “Fiorello!” — which, like “Fiddler,” was a Tony winner — and “She Loves Me.”
LYNN NOTTAGE HONORED BY NEW YORK WOMEN’S FOUNDATION - Recognized as a changemaker in her field, Nottage spoke to Broadway News about her past impact and what’s next for her.
ANDREW RANNELLS AND JOSH GAD TO STAR IN ‘GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL’ ON BROADWAY - The original Book of Mormon stars will reunite this fall for an original musical comedy.
Hot Topics
THE BIG CRUNCH: THEATRE’S LABOR AND MATERIALS CRISIS - Getting audiences to return isn’t the only post-COVID challenge theatres are facing.
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE YOUR HISTORY-MAKING PLAY CANCELED DURING THE TAPER’S CLOSURE - Larissa FastHorse’s ‘Fake It Until You Make It’ was to have opened in August at the Mark Taper Forum. It would have been the first play by a Native American to receive a main-stage production there.
STRANGER SINGS! TO STREAM ONCE AGAIN - The parody musical will be available globally this July.
BILLY CRYSTAL, DIONNE WARWICK, BARRY GIBB TO BE KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES - The 46th annual celebration of the performing arts will also salute Queen Latifah and Renée Fleming this December.
THE CIVILIANS AND PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PARTNER FOR NEW SHOWS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT - Called the Next Forever, the three-year initiative will award two commissions annually.
The Big Idea
THE SCENE’S SUMMER BREAK READING LIST 2023
It’s finally summer break for the majority of Theatre Teachers in the US, and summer break is the perfect time for teachers to relax, rejuvenate, and engage in professional development. For theatre educators, reading books related to their field can be a great way to expand their knowledge, gain new insights, and find inspiration for the upcoming academic year. The Scene presents our top theatre books for educators to delve into during the 2023 summer break.
Blanche: The Life and Times of Tennessee Williams’s Greatest Creation by Nancy Schoenberger | ABOUT: This new release is all about the character Blanche DuBois, protagonist of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire. Author Nancy Schoenberger considers Blanche’s story as well as how the character is intertwined with themes of “womanhood, sexuality, mental illness, and the idealized South.” Available from Harper Collins.
True West: Sam Shepard’s Life, Work, and Times by Robert Greenfield | ABOUT: This biography chronicles the life of the late Sam Shepard, actor, and playwright (True West, Buried Child). Greenfield’s book explores Shepard’s works as well as his relationships with stars like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell and includes a collection of interviews from sources who had never spoken on record about the publicity-averse playwright before. Available from Penguin Random House.
300 Thoughts for Theatremakers: A Manifesto for the Twenty-First-Century Theatremaker by Russell Lucas | ABOUT: This self-empowerment book is made up of “reflections and provocations” for actors, directors, producers, and anyone else involved in making live theatre. The piece includes tips for brainstorming and idea development, collaboration, show promotion, and more. Available from Nick Hern Books.
When The British Musical Ruled the World by Robert Sellers | ABOUT: In a comprehensive look across the pond, this new release explains how British musicals initially struggled to compete with Broadway productions, until Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita revitalized the West End. With additional looks at blockbusters like Cats, Les Misérables, and Miss Saigon, the book shares stories from cast and crew members, obstacles that almost derailed productions, and more. Available from Applause.
(M)Other Perspectives by Lynn Deboeck and Aoise Stratford
ABOUT: This anthology explores motherhood in contemporary performance, as well as the cultural implications of theatrical representations of maternity. The new release also examines onstage motherhood in relationship to mental health, queer parenting, and more. Available from Routledge.Milestones in Musical Theatre by Mary Jo Lodge | Milestones in Musical Theatre selects ten of the most significant moments in theatre history, especially those by Black creators. The piece details the development of musical theatre in chronological order, with attention to how factors like race, gender, and nationality have influenced the art form. Available June 30 from Routledge.
Bringing Set and Costume Designs to Fruition: Made by Teams by Jennifer Dasher, Lynne M. Koscielniak, and Jonathan Shimon | ABOUT: Three designers in the costume, set, lighting, and scenery fields come together to create this breakdown of the creative process, from concept to construction. With a focus on the teamwork between designers and scene/costume shops, the book is an in-depth guide to bringing designer’s visions to life. Available from Focal Press.
Nutrition for Dance and Performance by Jasmine Challis | ABOUT: This complete textbook from Jasmine Challis, a dietitian specializing in dance nutrition, provides advice for dancers/performers as well as instructors. Nutrition for Dance and Performance reviews the energy and nutrient needs for a health-focused approach to dancers’ nutrition. Available from Routledge.
Here for the Hearing: Analyzing the Music in Musical Theater (Tracking Pop) by Michael Buchler and Gregory John Decker | ABOUT: This series of essays takes a comprehensive look at how musical structure (harmony, melody, rhythm, meter, form, and musical association) contributes to the making of theatre. With a focus on works of theatre from the 1920s to present day, the book presents a thorough discussion of how music can enhance onstage storytelling. Available University of Michigan Press.
Dance on the American Musical Theatre Stage by Ray Miller | ABOUT: In Dance on the American Musical Theatre Stage, author Ray Miller offers a historical study of how various styles of dance have interacted on the musical theatre stage. By analyzing choreographic styles and cultural context, the book considers how dance both impacts and is impacted by society. Available from Routledge.
For theatre teachers, summer break is an ideal time to dive into compelling literature that can enrich their teaching practices and invigorate their passion for the performing arts. The five books mentioned above, ranging from practical handbooks to theoretical works, provide valuable insights, resources, and inspiration for educators. By exploring these texts, teachers can refine their teaching techniques, deepen their understanding of theatre history and theory, and create vibrant and transformative learning experiences for their students. So, grab a book, find a cozy spot, and embark on a journey of professional growth this summer.