David Merrick, the Abominable Showman

David Merrick, the Abominable Showman

Author: Howard Kissel

Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 584

ISBN-13: 9781557831729

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(Applause Books). David Merrick is the most astonishing showman of our time, and perhaps of all time. No other producer, not even Florenz Ziegfeld nor the combined lights of the Shubert brothers, has equalled his percentage of hits or his demonic flair for publicity. In this first-ever biography, Howard Kissel from his decade-long investigation reveals the man, the mask, and the myth of David Merrick. The charismatic and reclusive mogul emerges as a Broadway version of Howard Hughes, with his own panoply of eccentricities, genius and neuroses. Merrick's much publicized and oftentimes staged battles and feuds are re-ignited here full force with such major personalities as Barbra Streisand, Jackie Gleason, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Woody Allen, Peter Ustinov, Andy Griffith, Anthony Newley, Peter Brook, and Carol Channing. Over a hundred interviews with the major players in Merrick's drama from his pre-Merrick St. Louis childhood as David Margoulies to his latest divorce has yielded the first serious interrogation of a life that until now has been the sole creation of Merrick's own invention and press wizardry.


Book Synopsis David Merrick, the Abominable Showman by : Howard Kissel

Download or read book David Merrick, the Abominable Showman written by Howard Kissel and published by Hal Leonard Corporation. This book was released on 1993 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: (Applause Books). David Merrick is the most astonishing showman of our time, and perhaps of all time. No other producer, not even Florenz Ziegfeld nor the combined lights of the Shubert brothers, has equalled his percentage of hits or his demonic flair for publicity. In this first-ever biography, Howard Kissel from his decade-long investigation reveals the man, the mask, and the myth of David Merrick. The charismatic and reclusive mogul emerges as a Broadway version of Howard Hughes, with his own panoply of eccentricities, genius and neuroses. Merrick's much publicized and oftentimes staged battles and feuds are re-ignited here full force with such major personalities as Barbra Streisand, Jackie Gleason, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Woody Allen, Peter Ustinov, Andy Griffith, Anthony Newley, Peter Brook, and Carol Channing. Over a hundred interviews with the major players in Merrick's drama from his pre-Merrick St. Louis childhood as David Margoulies to his latest divorce has yielded the first serious interrogation of a life that until now has been the sole creation of Merrick's own invention and press wizardry.

David Merrick

David Merrick

Author: Howard Kissel

Publisher:

Published: 1993-05-01

Total Pages: 565

ISBN-13: 9780788193996

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Merrick was one of the most astonishing showman of our time. No other producer has equaled his percentage of hits or his demonic flair for publicity. His hits include Gypsy; A Taste of Honey; Hello, Dolly!; Promises, Promises; & 42nd Street. In this biography, Kissel reveals the man, the mask & the myth of Merrick. The charismatic & reclusive mogul emerges with his own eccentricities, genius & neuroses. His much-publicized & oftentimes staged battles & feuds were with such personalities as Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Woody Allen, Andy Griffith, & Carol Channing. Includes over 100 interviews with the major players in Merrick's life. Illustrations.


Book Synopsis David Merrick by : Howard Kissel

Download or read book David Merrick written by Howard Kissel and published by . This book was released on 1993-05-01 with total page 565 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Merrick was one of the most astonishing showman of our time. No other producer has equaled his percentage of hits or his demonic flair for publicity. His hits include Gypsy; A Taste of Honey; Hello, Dolly!; Promises, Promises; & 42nd Street. In this biography, Kissel reveals the man, the mask & the myth of Merrick. The charismatic & reclusive mogul emerges with his own eccentricities, genius & neuroses. His much-publicized & oftentimes staged battles & feuds were with such personalities as Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Lena Horne, Woody Allen, Andy Griffith, & Carol Channing. Includes over 100 interviews with the major players in Merrick's life. Illustrations.

David Merrick

David Merrick

Author: Barbara L. Horn

Publisher: Greenwood

Published: 1992-09-17

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 0313285209

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Publicity, nerve, and verve made David Merrick possibly the most successful producer in the history of Broadway. Not since the days of David Belasco or Florenz Ziegfeld had the theatre produced such a spectacular producer-star. He was dubbed The Barnum of Broadway or, less flatteringly, The Abominable Showman, and Clive Barnes of the New York Times said he had showmanship running out of his ears. Although he was best known for his musical productions, including Hello Dolly! (1964) and 42nd Street (1980), he produced many nonmusicals as well; Cecil Smith of the Los Angeles Times wrote that he was one of the most sensitive and effective producers of fine dramas in modern Broadway. Merrick's career, tempered by a legal background, is an undisputed testimony to his artistic sensibilities, his razor-edged business acumen, his talent for public relations, and his unrelenting drive. This study chronicles the life and career of one of the last of Broadway's independent producers, David Merrick, who produced eighty-eight plays on Broadway during his professional lifetime. Following a chronology of his career and a biographical sketch, all his plays, plus film productions, are carefully documented with credits, runs, synopses, and review citations. An annotated bibliography includes his own writings and a chronologically organized listing of books and articles about him. An appendix is devoted to major awards given to Merrick, his productions, and other principals and stars involved with them; and a second appendix lists theatre productions that were made into films. Carefully cross-referenced and indexed, the book adds to the growing number of studies that organize essential resources for research and scholarship in American theatre.


Book Synopsis David Merrick by : Barbara L. Horn

Download or read book David Merrick written by Barbara L. Horn and published by Greenwood. This book was released on 1992-09-17 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Publicity, nerve, and verve made David Merrick possibly the most successful producer in the history of Broadway. Not since the days of David Belasco or Florenz Ziegfeld had the theatre produced such a spectacular producer-star. He was dubbed The Barnum of Broadway or, less flatteringly, The Abominable Showman, and Clive Barnes of the New York Times said he had showmanship running out of his ears. Although he was best known for his musical productions, including Hello Dolly! (1964) and 42nd Street (1980), he produced many nonmusicals as well; Cecil Smith of the Los Angeles Times wrote that he was one of the most sensitive and effective producers of fine dramas in modern Broadway. Merrick's career, tempered by a legal background, is an undisputed testimony to his artistic sensibilities, his razor-edged business acumen, his talent for public relations, and his unrelenting drive. This study chronicles the life and career of one of the last of Broadway's independent producers, David Merrick, who produced eighty-eight plays on Broadway during his professional lifetime. Following a chronology of his career and a biographical sketch, all his plays, plus film productions, are carefully documented with credits, runs, synopses, and review citations. An annotated bibliography includes his own writings and a chronologically organized listing of books and articles about him. An appendix is devoted to major awards given to Merrick, his productions, and other principals and stars involved with them; and a second appendix lists theatre productions that were made into films. Carefully cross-referenced and indexed, the book adds to the growing number of studies that organize essential resources for research and scholarship in American theatre.

Mainly on Directing

Mainly on Directing

Author: Arthur Laurents

Publisher: Knopf

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 0307270882

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From playwright, screenwriter, and director Laurents comes a mesmerizing book about theater, art and the artist, the insider and the outsider--and the making of two of the greatest musicals of the American stage: "Gypsy" and "West Side Story."


Book Synopsis Mainly on Directing by : Arthur Laurents

Download or read book Mainly on Directing written by Arthur Laurents and published by Knopf. This book was released on 2009 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From playwright, screenwriter, and director Laurents comes a mesmerizing book about theater, art and the artist, the insider and the outsider--and the making of two of the greatest musicals of the American stage: "Gypsy" and "West Side Story."

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise

Author: Andrew Morton

Publisher: Macmillan + ORM

Published: 2008-01-15

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1429933909

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Andrew Morton uncovers the true story of the biggest celebrity of our age. Everyone knows Tom Cruise—or at least what he wants us to know. We know that the man behind the smile overcame a tough childhood to star in astonishing array of blockbusters: Top Gun, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, several Mission: Impossible movies, and more. We know he has taken artistic chances, too, earning him three Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. But beyond that, the picture becomes a bit less clear... We know that Tom is a devoted follower of the Church of Scientology. We know that, despite persistent rumors about his sexuality, he has been married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes. But it was not until he jumped on Oprah's couch to proclaim his love for Katie and denounced Brooke Shields for turning to the "Nazi science" of psychiatry that we began to realize how much we did not know about the charming, hardworking star. For all the headlines and the rumors, the real Tom Cruise has remained surprisingly hidden—until now.


Book Synopsis Tom Cruise by : Andrew Morton

Download or read book Tom Cruise written by Andrew Morton and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2008-01-15 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Andrew Morton uncovers the true story of the biggest celebrity of our age. Everyone knows Tom Cruise—or at least what he wants us to know. We know that the man behind the smile overcame a tough childhood to star in astonishing array of blockbusters: Top Gun, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, several Mission: Impossible movies, and more. We know he has taken artistic chances, too, earning him three Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. But beyond that, the picture becomes a bit less clear... We know that Tom is a devoted follower of the Church of Scientology. We know that, despite persistent rumors about his sexuality, he has been married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes. But it was not until he jumped on Oprah's couch to proclaim his love for Katie and denounced Brooke Shields for turning to the "Nazi science" of psychiatry that we began to realize how much we did not know about the charming, hardworking star. For all the headlines and the rumors, the real Tom Cruise has remained surprisingly hidden—until now.

Jerome Robbins, by Himself

Jerome Robbins, by Himself

Author: Jerome Robbins

Publisher: Knopf

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 461

ISBN-13: 0451494660

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"A selection of the unpublished writings, journals, and letters of Jerome Robbins, with additional texts by Amanda Vaill"--


Book Synopsis Jerome Robbins, by Himself by : Jerome Robbins

Download or read book Jerome Robbins, by Himself written by Jerome Robbins and published by Knopf. This book was released on 2019 with total page 461 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A selection of the unpublished writings, journals, and letters of Jerome Robbins, with additional texts by Amanda Vaill"--

Subways Are for Sleeping

Subways Are for Sleeping

Author: Edmund G. Love

Publisher:

Published: 1958

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Subways Are for Sleeping by : Edmund G. Love

Download or read book Subways Are for Sleeping written by Edmund G. Love and published by . This book was released on 1958 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Free for All

Free for All

Author: Kenneth Turan

Publisher: Anchor

Published: 2010-11-02

Total Pages: 642

ISBN-13: 0767931696

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Free for All is an irresistible behind-the-scenes look at one of America’s most beloved and important cultural institutions. Under the inspired leadership of founder Joseph Papp, the Public Theater and the New York Shakespeare Festival brought revolutionary performances to the public for decades. This compulsively readable history of those years—much of it told in Papp’s own words—is fascinating, ranging from a dramatic early showdown with Robert Moses over keeping Shakespeare in the Park free to the launching of such landmark productions as Hair and A Chorus Line. To bring the story to life, film critic Kenneth Turan interviewed some 160 luminaries—including George C. Scott, Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols, Kevin Kline, James Earl Jones, David Rabe, Jerry Stiller, Tommy Lee Jones, and Wallace Shawn—and masterfully weaves their voices into a dizzyingly rich tale of creativity, conflict, and achievement.


Book Synopsis Free for All by : Kenneth Turan

Download or read book Free for All written by Kenneth Turan and published by Anchor. This book was released on 2010-11-02 with total page 642 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Free for All is an irresistible behind-the-scenes look at one of America’s most beloved and important cultural institutions. Under the inspired leadership of founder Joseph Papp, the Public Theater and the New York Shakespeare Festival brought revolutionary performances to the public for decades. This compulsively readable history of those years—much of it told in Papp’s own words—is fascinating, ranging from a dramatic early showdown with Robert Moses over keeping Shakespeare in the Park free to the launching of such landmark productions as Hair and A Chorus Line. To bring the story to life, film critic Kenneth Turan interviewed some 160 luminaries—including George C. Scott, Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols, Kevin Kline, James Earl Jones, David Rabe, Jerry Stiller, Tommy Lee Jones, and Wallace Shawn—and masterfully weaves their voices into a dizzyingly rich tale of creativity, conflict, and achievement.

Lyrical Satirical Harold Rome

Lyrical Satirical Harold Rome

Author: Tighe E. Zimmers

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2013-11-13

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0786470267

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Harold Rome was a composer and lyricist on Broadway, starting with Pins and Needles in 1937. His biggest hits included Call Me Mister, Wish You Were Here, Fanny, Destry Rides Again, and I Can Get It for You Wholesale and he continued on Broadway through 1965 with The Zulu and the Zayda. His early career, after two Yale degrees, featured songs of "social significance," lyrics for the common man filled with satire. His later works were songs well adapted to the book musicals of the day, and his words and music became more lyrical. Rome worked with Moss Hart, George S. Kaufman, Jerome Weidman, Joshua Logan, David Merrick and others, and wrote songs for such stars as Pearl Bailey, Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak and Barbra Streisand (among many). Politically involved, and left-wing, he attracted the attention of conservative organizations and the FBI. His song writing contributed to the home front efforts for World War II, as a civilian and then as a corporal in the Army. Showing yet another side, his paintings were critically praised and he amassed an impressive collection of African art.


Book Synopsis Lyrical Satirical Harold Rome by : Tighe E. Zimmers

Download or read book Lyrical Satirical Harold Rome written by Tighe E. Zimmers and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2013-11-13 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Harold Rome was a composer and lyricist on Broadway, starting with Pins and Needles in 1937. His biggest hits included Call Me Mister, Wish You Were Here, Fanny, Destry Rides Again, and I Can Get It for You Wholesale and he continued on Broadway through 1965 with The Zulu and the Zayda. His early career, after two Yale degrees, featured songs of "social significance," lyrics for the common man filled with satire. His later works were songs well adapted to the book musicals of the day, and his words and music became more lyrical. Rome worked with Moss Hart, George S. Kaufman, Jerome Weidman, Joshua Logan, David Merrick and others, and wrote songs for such stars as Pearl Bailey, Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak and Barbra Streisand (among many). Politically involved, and left-wing, he attracted the attention of conservative organizations and the FBI. His song writing contributed to the home front efforts for World War II, as a civilian and then as a corporal in the Army. Showing yet another side, his paintings were critically praised and he amassed an impressive collection of African art.

Great Producers

Great Producers

Author: Iris Dorbian

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2010-02-23

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 1581157525

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Up close and personal with Broadway’s brightest lights of the past, present, and future. * Firsthand accounts, rare interviews, backstage anecdotes * Insider ideas from Disney, Jujamcyn, Mackintosh, Weissler, Papp, Merrick, Ziegfeld, more! Broadway’s most esteemed visionaries tell all—how they got started in the business, how they chose projects, how they raise money, why some of their shows were huge hits and others flopped, and much more. From Flo Ziegfeld and David Merrick, from Joseph Papp, from Cameron Mackintosh, from today’s up-and-coming new generation of producers—here are priceless words of wisdom. Readers will find insights on how to deal with investors, work in a team, troubleshoot, and learn from mistakes. Filled with entertaining backstage anecdotes, this book is a must-have primer for educators, students, and budding producers.


Book Synopsis Great Producers by : Iris Dorbian

Download or read book Great Producers written by Iris Dorbian and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2010-02-23 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Up close and personal with Broadway’s brightest lights of the past, present, and future. * Firsthand accounts, rare interviews, backstage anecdotes * Insider ideas from Disney, Jujamcyn, Mackintosh, Weissler, Papp, Merrick, Ziegfeld, more! Broadway’s most esteemed visionaries tell all—how they got started in the business, how they chose projects, how they raise money, why some of their shows were huge hits and others flopped, and much more. From Flo Ziegfeld and David Merrick, from Joseph Papp, from Cameron Mackintosh, from today’s up-and-coming new generation of producers—here are priceless words of wisdom. Readers will find insights on how to deal with investors, work in a team, troubleshoot, and learn from mistakes. Filled with entertaining backstage anecdotes, this book is a must-have primer for educators, students, and budding producers.