Book Description
A remarkable collection of Edward Hopper's most important paintings and original stories and poems by prominent contemporary writers. This volume includes fifty-nine of Hopper's most important works in full color, as well as original works by thirteen renowned fiction writers and poets that pay homage to, or make reference to, the ways in which Hopper pictured our world. The contributors include Paul Auster, Anne Beattie, Tess Gallagher, Thom Gunn, John Hollander, William Kennedy, Galway Kinnell, Ann Lauterbach, Norman Mailer, Leonard Michaels, Walter Mosley, Grace Paley, and James Salter. Also featured is an essay by art historian Dr. Gail Levin. Hopper's themes of alienation and loneliness, empty cityscapes and countrysides, the stark light of Cape Cod, silent hills and housesall have been indelibly imprinted on our collective sense of ourselves and our country. This work celebrates the impact Hopper's imagery continues to have on contemporary culture and is dedicated to a fuller understanding of Hopper's place in the American mind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It was well-written with excellent discription,and . . .
I believe that this was one of the greatest art books.This outstanding book displayed 59 of Hopper's greatest paintings with awesome detail and spectacular quotes.It not only showed the different ways Hopper defined and looked at life, but I could feel like I was the artist.Not only did the paintings create a perspective of life most people don't look at, but I could relate to his points of view. ... Read more

Book Description
This all-in-one book is designed to help you become a superior producer, director or choreographer, or even a triple threat. You'll learn everything you need to know to put a show on the boards. It starts with selecting a musical, then addresses how to analyze and intepret your choice, coordinate the scenery and lights, costumes and props, and other technical elements. You'll be able to cast the top talent through efficient, well-organized auditions, and conduct productive rehearsals for music, choreography, blocking, and full production. You'll see breakdowns of the duties of all the key people, you'll learn about presenting revues and operas, you'll find practice scenes and an appendix listing terrific musicals and their licensors...you'll learn everything you need to bring down the house on opening night - and every night! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Resource!
This book covers it all!This is an invaluable reference for any producer, director, or theatre teacher... whether attempting their first show or their twentieth!

The Novaks Stage Musical Theatre
I am the founder and artistic director of a community theater group, Green Room Players, that has been in existence since 1993 in Franklin County,Massachusetts, and have directed musicals each year, including Babes inArms, Snoopy! , A Wonderful Life, Barnum, South Pacific, and Grease.

Of all the books I have read on musical theater production, StagingMusical Theatre by Dr. Elaine Novak (with contributions from her daughter,Deborah Novak, an actress of stage, TV and film) has been by far the mosthelpful to me.It is written in simple and easy-to-comprehend language,and covers practically every aspect of theater production.

In a veryorganized and straightforward manner, the Novaks have discussed selectingthe musical; analyzing the book, lyrics and score; interpreting themusical; holding auditions; casting; rehearsals; blocking; and polishing. Included are specimen time tables that are very helpful to a beginningdirector.There are also suggestions for exercises, games andimprovisations to get actors acquainted with each other and with thedirector.The book also addresses potential problems -- such as kissing,slapping, asides, the vocal solos, curtain calls, pit dress, and evenduties of the offstage crew -- and rounds out its invaluable stock ofinformation with scenes for practice, an appendix containing lists anddescriptions of well-known musicals and various types of musicals, anextensive bibliography on any aspect of play production, and a 6-pageglossary of theatrical terms.

I strongly recommend Staging MusicalTheatre as a textbook for beginning and prerequisite courses in academicprograms in theater.I also highly recommend it for all who are involvedwith play production -- especially amateur, community, and school theaterdirectors, producers, choreographers, and actors.

Ruby L. Agnir, M.A.Founding and Artistic Director GREEN ROOM PLAYERS 55 Cleveland St.Greenfield, MA 01301 e-mail:rubyleah@juno.com webpage: www.agnir.net/greenroom ... Read more