1 comments about Indian Classical Dance: Tradition in Transition.

1. This is more than just a coffee table book, its a great compilation of the past, present and future of Indian classical dance. The author has done a fabulous job presenting a brief outlook for all the major classical styles. It might look overwhelming to a novice but its truly a pleasant read.

4 comments about The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

1. One of the master communist playwright Bertolt Brecht's strengths as an artist was the ability to set up a moral dilemma and work it out to a conclusion, not always a satisfactory one, by play's end. This is unusual in a seemingly orthodox follower of the old Stalinist' socialist realist' cultural program. This work nevertheless permitted Brecht to address an age-old question about the nature of property ownership, extending it from its natural and historic setting in land and chattels to the question of personal human ownership.
   
   The question posed here is whether a child abandoned by its natural mother then found and raised by another women should go to the former or that latter. Nice dilemma, right? But Brecht, as seem in Mother Courage and other parables, is not above cutting right to the bone on moral questions. What makes this work a cut above some of Brecht's more didactic plays is the way that he weaves the parable about the odd resolution of an ancient Chinese property dispute and places that `wisdom' in context of a then current dispute between two Soviet-era communes.
   
   In the ancient dispute the judge who is called upon to render judgment, using the circle as a medium to resolve the dispute, seems to be Solomonic but is really a buffoon. This is pure Brechtian irony. This says as much about Brecht attitude toward property as it does about the old time Chinese justice system. The question of property rights as presented by Brecht and their value as a societal glue is also something the reader or viewer of this play should think about as well.



2. My son's theatre department is putting on this play. My son tried out for a part. He made the first cut, got all excited and wanted the play. However, he did not make the second cut. I believe he is returning the book. Thanks so much
   Sandy Rodie



3. Brecht's "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," written in self-imposed exile towards the end of World War II, is a story within a play, in which a bard, or singer, interrupts a group of Caucasian farmers arguing over ownership of land that has been ravaged by Nazi tanks and entertains them with a relevant tale of yore. In a city called Grusinia, the Governor is executed in a coup and his wife flees for her life, abandoning their baby son Michael, who is picked up by a humble kitchen maid named Grusha. Having recently betrothed herself to a soldier named Simon who is away on duty, she sets out on a cross-country journey with the infant to get help from her brother, a farmer in a distant village.
   
   Lavrenti, her brother, suggests she get married immediately to avoid suspicion that the baby is hers out of wedlock, and the most available candidate is a local wretched peasant. After living with this man for a couple of years, Grusha is apprehended by soldiers who have come to take young Michael, the sole heir of the deposed Governor's estate, back to Grusinia. The case of Michael's custody, contested by the Governor's wife against Grusha, is brought to trial, where the judge, a drunk named Azdak whose unofficial appointment to this position is a farce, decrees that the boy will be placed inside a circle drawn with chalk on the courtroom floor, and that the woman who is able to pull him out of the circle is the real mother. (Study the judge's exact words when you read this.)
   
   Although the story is of medieval Chinese origin, Brecht's play is a sort of refashioning of the Biblical anecdote about Solomon and expands the idea by supplying a whole backstory to the women's argument. Solomon's judgment is accepted because his wisdom is universally considered to be impeccable, but what of a man like Azdak who functions on whim more than on wisdom? The ending is subtly brilliant in the sense that the outcome of the contest is subject to semantic debate (whether you think the judgment is fair or logical or contradictory depends on how closely you read the judge's words), but also in the question of irony or sincerity in the suggestion that true justice will be conferred by nature rather than by man.



4. It's popular now-a-days to call communism "out of touch" and socialism "out of style." Brecht's question, then: Who should own anything? Should possession be nine-tenths of the law? Or should the laws of ownership remain an open-ended affair? -- could be called a foregone conclusion.

   Woe to the foregone conclusion, then. Its trial date is ever on the way.

   Laughably, the Helms-Burton bill, recently signed into law by Pres. Bill Clinton, is a giggle back to Brecht's discussion. And a silly one. One should think that were the United States to be in the business of giving back land "once stolen," that the Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, et. al. would be first in line.

   Not so!

   Apparently, Cuba's land belongs not to its current owners, but to its capitalists of 40 years hence. Oh, silliness. Oh, amusement.

   So ask Brecht's question, then, not as a socialist, a communist or a red. Ask it as a human being. To whom does anything belong? What is belonging? What is ownership? Who owns anything? When - and why - does ownership occasionally turn on its own head?

1 comments about Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers, Third Edition.

1. This book is very informative, insightful & wise. Just what I needed to further my knowledge and skill!

5 comments about The Boys Next Door..

1. Actually, this show had an Off-Broadway run. However, that takes nothing away from this play. The "boys" are seen through the eyes of Jack, the social worker assigned to them. He's quickly burning out and needs to move on with his own life. As he says, "Lucien will always be Lucien. Norman will always be Norman. And Arnold will always be Arnold." The play is full of excellent moments for the actors to make us all laugh, cry, and think. It works much better on stage than the Hallmark movie from a few years back. The script is a real machine that never panders to the characters, nor makes fun of them. I was in a benefit performance for a local mentally handicapped charity. Afterwards, I was chatting with the actor who was Arnold. One of the real boys next door approached us. He looked at Arnold and said, "You were me!" Then to me, "I like you too, Jack." He walked off. We looked at each other and tried not to cry.



2. We just did a production of The Boys Next Door at my school, and it is the best play I've ever worked on. I'm a techie and was Assistant Director for our production. I'm so glad I got a chance to work on this production. It is so amazing and touching. I cry every time Norman and Sheila have their dance scene where they waltz and at Lucien's "State Sneck" scene. I would recommend this play to EVERYONE.



3. I've seen the play performed, and I've read the script. Mr. Griffin does a beautiful job at showing how to enjoy life. If it deals with keys or green library cards. We can't take anything for granted and if we do all that's left for us is to move to Russia. I was very impressed with the show itself. Many people could find it offensive, but those are the people who need to open their hearts and see the beauty of the story line. The characters are so loveable and they can move you to tears because they have no trees.



4. This is indeed a wonderful work that did have a run on Broadway! It was also featured on NBC as a made for TV movie. It was my understanding that there were efforts for many years to get it on the silver screen, but.....

   I highly recommend this to any Harold Pinter fans.




5. Why this didn't hit broadway I will never know, yet in all truth it is an awe-inspiring play which probes through the bounds of intelligence and deep into the human soul. It is the story of four mentally disabled men who live in a group home under the supervision of a man named Jack. Their antics fill our hearts with joy and laughter, yet bring us to tears. It makes us (and I use "us" for this very purpose to illustrate how we are all bound together) realize what we take for granted, which are our full and intelligent lives. These four men lacked our intelligence, yet had so much more in that they did not take for granted the very thing that is most precious to every creature; life. People today do not use their skills in a productive way, some do, sure, yet we take our blessings for granted, these four men help us realize how blessed we really are.

5 comments about Gracie: A Love Story.

1. Lamb Chops...What do lamb chops have to do with this story, well everything! Lamb Chops is the vaudeville routine that brought fame to this comedic duo in the late 1920's. I have the link to a You Tube movie short that was filmed in 1929 for this popular routine here. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzFcsdgkg54 ) In this clip and others that I've seen with Burns and Allen, I think Gracie is the reason that they had so much success. She was so natural in her role as the "ditzy dame". She was good if not one of the best funnymen to a straightman role. This book takes the reader back to the waning days of vaudeville and the beginnings of film, radio and television as the new media for bringing entertainment to its audiances. George Burns takes us back down memory lane with a personnal love story that lasted nearly 40 years. His memories include many places and friends that I as a reader enjoyed visiting. I don't read love stories usually, but this love story is one that I enjoyed and won't soon forget.



2. In our disposable transient society of today, it is a refreshing change to see a love and a marriage that lasted so long. As time goes on, it is becoming an even rarer event.
   
   In this book, Mr. Burns fondly remembers his wife, Gracie Allen. The stories that he tells about her, how they met, and how they managed to stay together so long were interesting to read and entertaining.
   
   I would recommend this book to all ages. It is easy reading and also tells somewhat of the history of vaudeville, radio, television, and movies.



3. If you love old Hollywood, read this book. If you loved George & Gracie, read this book. If you want to read a true life love story, READ THIS BOOK. I just love the inside scoop on the old Hollywood that George dishes out. I never knew Cary Grant sold neck ties before becoming a screen idol. Harpo Marx (the quiet one) wanted one child in every window to wave goodbye or hello when he pulled up in the drive. George wasn't all that impressed with Marilyn Monroe.
   
   This book is an easy read and so hard to put down.



4. Growing up, I really only knew Goerge Burns for the occasional television special he would host. Other than that, and his "Oh, God" movie (which came out when I was very young), I was relatively unfamiliar with him.
   
   In the mid 80's, when I was about 10 years old, I found that a local radio station would run old time radio comedies from 8-10pm, and as such, I used to fall asleep nightly listening to the like of Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly, and, of course Burns and Allen.
   
   I finally just purchased this book from and Amazon bookseller about two months ago, and honestly, it's as good a $2.95 as I've spent in a while.
   
   As other reviewers have said, many times bigraqphies can be a bit on the dull side, but George really did well with this. It is an easy read... a page turner. It's very interesting to get more insight on what a great performer she was, and how natural it came to her. One always got the feeling that even though she was delivering her "dizzy" Gracie charater, that underneath that was a very smart, clever person. This book certianly backs that up, and it backs it up with all the warmth and affection George Burns had for his wife.
   
   I thoroughly enjoyed this not only for the story of Gracie, but also as a way to look inside the life of an entertainer at that time. I neverquite understood before what it was to work the vaudeville circuit, but there is a ton of insight in this book.
   
   This is a must read for even the most casual fan of old time radio and the celebrities of that era.



5. I glanced at the reviews here to see if my opinion of this book was just a fluke, but they pretty much bear me out. I didn't expect this book to be nearly as good as it is. On second thought, though, it's not that surprising. This pair was magic and it was seen in everything they touched, the prime and lasting example being the without parallel Burns and Allen Show.
   
   Burns and Allen successfully weathered many storms, making the transition from Vaudeville and stand-up comedy to radio and later to television. The earliest TV shows are the only ones available on DVD, but in later seasons they really hit their stride. In this hilarious and ground- breaking show, George would turn on the TV in the den to see what Gracie was doing, and regularly chat with viewers about events in progress. Gracie would walk in the wrong side of the set and regale viewers (or listeners) with non-stop comedic patter, malapropisms and surrealistic humour (ala Ernie Kovaks) with George as the straightman and pinnacle of style puffing his ever-present cigar.
   
   Even as an octagenarian he could still act (Oh God, You Devil) but as a nonogenarian (92) he could still write. This marvelous memoir is not only the most delightful reading I've had in a long time, but makes me all the more want the Burns and Allen show on DVD. This book was a bestseller in hardback, but is now unaccountably out of print. Yet many readers would love this book, and would enjoy making the acquaintance of the remarkable Gracie Allen.

5 comments about Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia: Career Profiles of More than 2000 Actors and Filmmakers, Past and Present (Penguin Reference).

1. I love the movies and movie stars-these books are great if you need
   info on the movie or the stars in it.



2. This book was great when I got it...10 years ago.
   
   Although Mr. Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia is enjoyable to read, it is extremely outdated and there needs to be a new edition. For readers looking for some info on their favorite classic movie star, chances are you'll probably find a bio on him/her. But for recent actors, no luck.



3. Note when ordering that there is only one version of this book - and it was first printed in 1994. And this is not apparent from the writeup on Amazon. I already had this book - but recently ordered two copies assuming it was a new version. I was very disappointed that it was the same book I already had. The fact that the book is so old and missing all movies and information from the past 10 years makes this not as worthwhile as one would expect from Maltin.



4. As a confirmed habitual movie watcher, this book was a much-welcomed addition to my library. Actually, it never made it to my library, as I have it next to my favorite TV chair, right under the TV Guide. I've never seen anything else with such concise thumbnail bios, just the facts. Yes, many stars are not included, such a book would be impossible to pick up. I did miss some oldies such as Marge & Gower Champion. The content is 5-stars, but I deducted 1-star for the book's dire need of updating: additions such as Chris Cooper, Matthew McConaughey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam, etc. But I wouldn't want to be the one to decide who gets removed to include these new additions!



5. Leonard has done a great job on this. Tasty tidbits on the stars of yesterday and today. I have only one complaint, there are many of the old stars he did not include. Too bad.

2 comments about Bus Stop: A Three-Act Romance.

1. Bus Stop isn't read much, but it is performed frequently to packed audiences. It's surface is all 1950's naivete and blustering innocence, but the March wind quickly blows the surface away. This is really a play about lonely people who either don't have a home to go to, or would rather face a cold road than a cold room. It's full of characters who make us laugh while they work out how to find warmth (in friendship, romance, or self-respect) in a dingy Kansas diner. It's worth the time. Enjoy it with a cup of cocoa.



2. Mr. Inge, in this story, has crafted a tale of first love and cynicism that we can all relate to. People jaded by life, people wanting something more, people content with their lot... it's all here.

5 comments about At This Theatre.

1. Excellent book for the person who wants historical facts and figures on some wonderful(and not so wonderful) Broadway shows and the theatres that played them. Obvisiously not all Broadway shows. Enough to keep the enthusiast informed, especially me being an overseas buyer.



2. ...you'll love this greatly expanded version (with lots of photos) of the "At This Theatre" feature. I find that keeping it up to date is actually fun! Five major theatres have been renamed just since this 2003 edition. Nicholas van Hoogstraten's "Lost Broadway Theatres" makes a wonderful companion volume.



3. If you love Broadway and all the famous theaters you'll love this book!!



4. Imagine a compilation of about 40 articles where each one focuses on a different extant Broadway Theatre and you have a notion of what is in this book. Each article covers ownership, architecture, a narrative list of many of the productions the Theater hosted (along with notable cast members) and is accompanied by informative photos. Because it is organized by existing theaters, this is not the most accessible way to learn Broadway history and there are some gaps. Also a map of where the theaters are located would have been nice. But there are treasures to be found here. It's not 'Lion King' but it's worth the price of admission.



5. Part of the description reads, "AT THIS THEATRE tells the complete history of Broadway in the 20th century, theatre by theatre."
   This is not true. NONE of the plays that I know were on Broadway and I have playbills for were in this book. When I first looked at it at the bookstore, I wasn't able to see inside the book as it was wrapped in plastic so I was unable to note that before I bought it. I bought it and now I will be returning it.

1 comments about Scene Painting Projects for Theatre.

1. I just love this book. I am not artistic and still draw stick people but with the instructions in this book, I was able to paint a background that turned out beautiful.

5 comments about Prince of Egypt.

1. Usually, I am a bit weary of animated films that come to the big screen, but the graceful and original animation caught my eye from Dreamworks' first animated feature.
   With voice talents including Michelle Pfeiffer, Val Kilmer, Danny Glover, Martin Short, Steve Martin, Sandra Bullock, & several others, it's easy to see why this film has attracted many audiences. Though I'm not usually a fan of biblical stories, Dreamworks created it in a way that was relatable to everyone. Still, they could have gone with fewer songs...
   This book is one of the greatest buys I've ever made. With the exception of The Lion King, the brilliant animation is captured throughout the book with great storyboards, conceptual art, and vast background paintings that are truly a treat to marvel at.
   This is one of the rare books that I am genuinely proud to include in my library. Even if you're not a fan of the movie, this book contains great pieces of inspirational works that will make you wish you were an animator.



2. 
   I read the book Prince of Egypt and I liked it. This is a book that you can learn from and go on a adventure. This book will show you how powerful God is. From this book you will find out that it is not a good idea to mess with god in a wrong way. Like the Pharaoh, he tried to go against of what god told him to do and his son ended up dyeing. Also Moses he was a stubborn Prince of Egypt and it is amazing how God changed him. Moses was born from a slave family and the Pharaoh sent his soldiers to kill all the new born. Moses mom sent Moses down a river hoping the river would take him to a safe place where Moses can live and grow up. Pharaoh's wife saw the baby and took him as her own and raised him as a Prince of Egypt. When Moses grows up he finds out that his real mom is a slave. Moses runs away from Egypt and lives in a desert for 40 years. During those 40 years God changed Moses and sends him back to Egypt to get his people out of slavery. Then Moses had to go and face his own brother and it is not a pretty site.



3. I'd have to agree with the above review from jg109@hotmail.com that this book doesn't show too much of the preliminary EARLY artwork. Unfortunately, that's because what you see in the book IS the Early artwork. And the lack of exploration shows on screen in a bland presentation of a great idea. I prefer the book to the cartoon, because I can take it in short doses.



4. The Prince of Egypt is the first animated film in history to SUCCESSFULLY integrate both traditional cell animation and computer generated images. A breathtaking film, with a scope rarely seen in films today, much less ANIMATED films. The Dreamworks team is a formidible new force in animation - they treat animation as an art form and as a storytelling medium. Not as a summer PRODUCT, like the Disney team. Disney could only hope to produce something this good.



5. Disappointing movie, disappointing book. The Dreamworks animation team shouldn't quit their day jobs.