2 comments about Playing the Audience: The Practical Actor's Guide to Live Performance.

1. This book has become a "bible" for me! I have marked & highlighted so much of it that I will probably have to purchase another copy to be able to actually read it again. It is a definite departure from much of today's thinking that tries to "pretend" that the audience doesn't exist. For those of us who enjoy working in smaller theaters, close to the audience, Mr. Nicola gives some realistic and workable ideas for making an actor's "love-hate" relationship with the audience a very enjoyable and successful experience. His discussion of how and why the member of the ensemble or chorus can actually make or break a show is a fascinating look at whay every member of a cast is so important, regardless of how "small" a role seems to be. His analysis of how an audience relates to the play is amazing! Mr. Nicola's discussion of how to make each show in a long run a new opening night will be incredibly helpful to any beginning (and many an advanced) actor. Although the book reads like a textbook it is full of short catchy sentences that help to bring the concept to mind later. Very useable!!



2. Unlike so many acting books and methods that insist that the actor expend energy trying to erect an imaginary sheet of drywall between herself and the audience, Mr. Nicola acknowledges the presence of the audience, its role in shaping a live production, and explores many ways than an actor can consciously interact with and engage an audience while maintaining emotional truth. The book contains numerous exercises for actors to do alone and in ensemble - some are more useful than others, but not one of them is harebrained (which for an acting book, is saying something). This book is also extremely useful for directors and playwrights, as it goes into useful detail about play structure, textual purpose, and direction. It is helpful for these three to "read off the same page" for a change, and this is a book ideally suited to that purpose.

   This book is the real deal. No nonsense, no smoke, no mirrors. Destined to become required reading in theater departments everywhere.

No comments about Competitive Irish Dance: Art, Sport, Duty.

5 comments about The Official General Hospital Trivia Book.

1. Hyperion released this book in October 1997, and it includes the "GH" spinoff, "Port Charles." Its author, who says he's been a "GH" fan since 1978, has also written "The Soap Opera Book of Lists" and "The Soap Opera Encyclopedia." Calling it a "trivia book" would seem to reduce its relevance and substance, as it really is a wealth of behind-the-scenes info about the show. The book includes black-and-white stills from ABC scattered throughout (it's sanctioned by ABC Daytime Press). Chapters feature celebrity appearances on the show, famous fans of the show, real-life romances of the stars, real-life names of the stars and more. The book's contents are also indexed at the end. (Oh, and there ARE a few "trivia" quizzes at the end of chapters!)



2. This book has a lot of the show history along with trivia questions. Yes, the answers are included *grin*. If you are a long time viewer, you will enjoy going back over the highlights thru the years. The trivia questions are fun to test your knowledge of the soap.

   For new viewers, this is a great way to catch up on past story of your favorite characters. See why Luke and Cassadines have fueded. Learn about Laura and her mother Leslie. There are several pictures from the show, but be aware, they are black and white.

   I am the list owner of a GH fan group and I use this book to give weekly questions to the list. The members love seeing who will send in the correct answer first. Some who have viewed for many years have been stumped on occassion.

   If GH is your show, this book is a must. It would make a really nice gift for someone you know who is a fan, too.




3. I heard of that abc T. V. show called, "General Hospitol."

   It is a book called The Official General Hospitol Trivia Book from the hit abc T. V. show like All My Childeren & Who Wants To Be A Millionaire my favorite T. V. shows.

   I will love General Hospitol that the book will remind you of the book Son of Black Beauty by author Phillis Briggs like Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen's videos Billboard Dad, How The West Was Fun, The Case of the Logical I Ranch & The Case of the Hotel Who Done it the ones that would be cool.

   I'll love that book.

   It would be just like Rodeo Bloopers 2 & 9 the videos.




4. Being the "expert" GH fan, I will have to say that this is THE VERY BEST GH Book out there! It contains interesting factoids, trivia you may have never even know (I know I didn't) and so much more! This is a MUST HAVE for any GH fan out there... a first time watcher or people who have watched GH since day one! Hurry out and buy it today!



5. Wow! Your pulse will race! Your palms will get sweaty! You will not be able to get this book out of your mind (not until youv'e read it cover to cover at least twice anyway). The Official General Hospital Trivia Book is your ticket to the best roller coaster ride on daytime - and without those long expensive trips to an amusement park. The Trivia Book contains all the necessities for being a true fan: on-screen tales, backstage stories, and other minutia. So rush to get your own copy (or 2 or 3) then sit back and enjoy the ride!!!

No comments about Talking Feet: Solo Southern Dance: Buck, Flatfoot, and Tap.

5 comments about Four Weddings and a Funeral: The Screenplay for the Smash Hit Comedy.

1. Given the many accolades assigned to this film over the years (not the least of which are Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay Oscar Nominations), I was expecting a classic, top-tier romantic comedy on the order of When Harry Met Sally. Unfortunately, Four Weddings and a Funeral fell well short of those lofty expectations.
   
   The sad part is that the film does a great many things well. The movie has many funny moments and the ensemble cast is mostly exceptional, especially amongst Charles' highly eclectic group of friends. However, it suffers from one fatal flaw: the female lead is terrible.
   
   Andie MacDowell's Carrie has all the charisma of a piece of upholstery (and a cheap one, at that). A combination of a poor performance and a poorly fleshed out character arc combine to make her perhaps one of the least interesting cinematic romantic interests of all time. There is very little chemistry between she and Hugh Grant, nor is any indication really given of what attracts Charles to her outside of the fact that she owns a nice hat and is a demon in the sack. She has one good line after the first time she and Charles get busy, and that essentially ends her contribution to the film.
   
   While entertaining in parts, the lack of an even adequate female lead (both a function of the actress and the script) kills this highly overrated film.
   
   Also this particular iteration of the DVD is terrible. It is a dual-layered disc, with the widescreen edition on one side and the fullscreen on the other. However the "widescreen" edition is shown letterboxed... on my widescreen labtop it still displays at a 4:3 ratio with letterbox bars, unnecessarily shrinking the image. Also, someone at the studio apparently thought it would be a good idea to have English and French audio options, but subtitles available only in Spanish. If you are a fan of the film, you're probably better off going with the 2006 Deluxe Edition.



2. Four Weddings and a Funeral follows Charles (Hugh Grant) and friends through a period of time in which they attend, um, four weddings and one funeral. Most of the movie actually occurs at these ceremonies so the film is aptly named all around. Charles meets Carrie (Andie MacDowell) at wedding number one and a good portion of the movie revolves around whether these two will end up together or not. There are various subplots involving four of his friends as well as his brother, most of them involving romance of some sort.
   
   This is the movie that made Hugh Grant a star and it's easy to see why. He plays his stuttering nice guy to perfection and is helped by a script that any actor would gladly kill for. Andie MacDowell plays a terrific counterbalance with her mellow charm. The entire cast of largely unknown (in the U.S. at least) British actors does a fantastic job of infusing the film with warmth and life. Another plus is that this is the rare movie where the cast looks like real people instead of supermodels. It helps ground the film and make the characters seem more real.
   
   This deluxe edition DVD is a nice presentation. The picture has been cleaned up and converted to anamorphic format, the sound is crisp and there are some nice "making of" documentaries. Finally, there is a commentary track for those interested in that sort of thing. All in all, it's a nice package and worth a few extra dollars to get.
   
   In summary, Four Weddings is a great movie. The humor is quirky, though, and probably not for everyone. For anyone willing to take a chance on something different, however, this is a true keeper. It was an instant classic when it was released and remains one to this day.



3. I have pretty much all of Hugh Grant's movies, so this one is another one in my collection. It is not my absolute favorite, considering all his others and Love Actually being my all time favorite movie ever I think! But this is definitely worth watching and owning if you like Hugh Grant. It's mostly a story of a group of friends and events in their life with a subtle focus on Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie MacDowel), who seem to keep meeting each other at these seemingly unrelated events, but also seem to be falling for each other. But there is a little twist in there that I'm not going to give away here. You must watch it! It is definitely a charming British film!



4. Charles (Hugh Grant) is what some people would call a player. He has had numerous relationships, but commitment is not in his vocabulary. Charles's fear of commitment suffers a challenge when he meets Carrie (Andie MacDowell). Carrie is intelligent, mysterious and honest, and is very self-confident and care-free. Charles struggles against his feelings as he finds himself falling in love with Carrie, but not wanting to speak those words aloud.
   
   This movie is humorous from beginning to end. Sometimes the humor is worthy of a laugh, but much of the humor just made me smile. Regardless of whether I was smiling or laughing, I was completely involved in the story and I wanted Charles and Carrie to end up with each other. There are four weddings, and a sad funeral, but each wedding and the funeral provide opportunities for an array of jokes and gags.
   
   I only have one complaint about this movie. There is significant use of four-letter words throughout. Unfortunately, one portion of the movie benefits from the language so eliminating it would also eliminate some of the humor, but there are places where the language was unnecessary. Obviously this movie is more suitable for an older audience. I would probably avoid showing the DVD version to anyone younger than 16 or 17 years old because of the language.
   
   I have seen comments about Hugh Grant and his "mumbling." I guess I have a different definition of mumbling. I thought Grant spoke his lines about as clearly as I talk (maybe I mumble), and other than brief moments where he was being introspective - let's face it, people may mumble when they are thinking out loud - Grant does not mumble.
   
   I am also impressed that Hugh Grant somehow said four-letter words and left a string of girl friends behind him, and yet he still looked sweet and innocent. I guess that was why he was able to get another girl friend each time he dumped the last one.
   
   Andie MacDowell is beautiful and expressive and perfect for this role. She is sexy and mysterious and intelligent and sensitive, sometimes all at once. I could readily see why Charles was smitten by Carrie. As with most characters Andie MacDowell plays, she brings elegant and classy Carrie to life.
   
   This movie was good enough to gain two Academy Award nominations, for Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Beyond those nominations, the movie won 23 significant awards, such as the British Comedy Awards for Best Comedy Picture in 1994. The movie was nominated for another 14 awards of varying stature.
   
   "Four Weddings and a Funeral" is a rare light romantic comedy that relies on an unusual combination of subtle and blatant humor in combination with an intelligent plot. I wondered whether Charles had a hope of capturing the heart of beautiful Carrie to the end of the movie, even as I was smiling and laughing at the humor. If you enjoy light romantic comedies, Hugh Grant or Andie MacDowell, you will find this award-winning movie to be worth more than one watch.
   
   Enjoy!



5. I enjoyed this movie a lot. I liked Hugh Grant a lot in this movie, he did a great job. I would highly recommend this movie.

4 comments about Samurai Widow.

1. Samurai Widow is a beautiful, courageous, and honest story of Judy Jacklin Belushi's recovery following John Belushi's death. If you want to get to the bottom of all the lies and hoopla the media has thrown around John's fame and success, read this book. It makes his fans and those who admired him from afar feel like they truly get to know him as a person instead of a character or celebrity. Also, if you have lost someone close to you, this book is helpful in learning how to carry on and knowing that you're not alone. Extremely touching and emotional story. Ms. Jacklin, if you read this, thank you so much for giving your story to John's fans. It relieved me greatly to find out how wonderful the Belushi family is.



2. In reading "Samaurai Widow," I was moved to tears on more than one occasion. This book is as intimate as one can get; exposing the difficulty of losing someone who was more than just someone Mrs. Belushi loved, but a part of her life..the other half of her being.
   However in the midst of such a tragic time, this book also gives inspiration and recognizes the need and ability to love and be loved again. Although John Belushi is gone, he will never ever be forgotten.
   All I can say is thank you. Thank you so much, Mrs. Belushi for letting us know who the real John Belushi is and allowing us to embrace the intimateness of the life you two shared together.

   We love you, John




3. After the book "Wired", I was glad Judith wrote this book. John Belushi was more than just a wild man, and Judith showed a intimate portrait of a comical genius, who was as human as the rest of us. I was glad Judith was able to show a side of John that isnt portrayed in the media. That of a caring, giving, sensitive human being, who regualar everyday people could relate too. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting John, his well chronicled life, really made me examine my own. I'd like to thank Jacklin for sharing a side of John that few of us knew, and would have never known without her courage to write this book. Thanks.



4. I picked this book up for a dollar at a used book store. Judy Belushi's intimate portrait of the grief she felt when she lost John helped me get through my own loss of a love. You feel her anger, pain, frustration and love as she comes to grips with losing the person she loved the most in life. A wondeful book about survival that will show you why JB was not just a funny man, but a treasure to so many who knew him.

No comments about Tomorrow Is Today.

1 comments about Musical Theater: An Appreciation.

1. I just had musical theatre with Dr. McLamore and used her book as a textbook for the class. I joked with all my friends that this is the type of book I would by in stores for "fun" reading.
   
   It really is a great look at the history of musical theatre going back to the early Operas. It's nice to see a book back up that far and show where the roots of musical theatre are found. I have never found that in another book on musical theatre so this ones definetely a wonderful book to have.
   
   The book explores many musicals in detail complete with a plot synopsis of many of them and a deeper examination of some of the songs within them.
   
   It is really an amazing book. Any musical theatre fan would benefit from reading it:)

5 comments about Fashion in Costume 1200-2000, Revised.

1. Es un libro de mucha ayuda para consultar sobre los diseños de los diferentes períodos de la historia, lo mejor es que no sólo tiene dibujos de la vestimenta de hombres y mujeres , sino que incluye además la de los niños en varias época, lo que es muy educativo.



2. While the text and drawings are separately very detailed and fairly descriptive, there is very little correlation between the text and drawings. At times it is unclear as to what kind of dress the author is talking about, making it useful that the picture of the dress should be right next to the text. The short descriptions of the costumes included with the drawings are also difficult to read due to the text they're written in. I also found that the sections for clothes from about 1930-2000 did not really cover the full scope of styles and fashions worn in that period of time.
   
   However, despite these small difficulties, this is a great book, with abundant information and fairly detailed drawings. I've only had the book a week, and it has already been immensely helpful to me. :)



3. Throughout history, clothes have been worn not only for warmth but also, with constant variety and innovation, to convey status, wealth, occupation, personality and social and more values. Joan Nunn's detailed survey of costume in the western world over the past eight centuries not only gives the reader a vivid visual impression of the clothes themselves, but also out lines the historical and social background and the changes in manufacturing techniques the way costume has developed and the manner in which it has been worn. Each of the nine chapters covers a certain period, with an introductory section followed by descriptions of the underwear, outer garments, hats, footwear, hairstyles, accessories, jewelry, fabrics and colours worn by men, women and children. There are over 800 line drawings, specially made by the author from contemporary sources (carvings, paintings, portraits, fashion plates and photographs). This is an invaluable, copiously illustrated reference book for students of costume, social history and the visual arts and for those concerned with designing costumes for the theatre. It is also a fascinating book for general reader interested in fashion and the art of dress.



4. Fashion in Costume 1200-2000 is an old classic catalog of western costume updated to 2000 in this paperback second edition. This detailed fashion survey contains a wealth of information valuable to costume researchers and designers and illustrators, and theatre workers and fashion historians. Over 800 line drawings illustrate the nine chapters which each cover a historical period. Incredible detailed information about underwear, accessories, jewelry, shoes, and hairstyles is included. An example of the 1980's-90's fashion era is a series of sketches of Diana, Princess of Wales in several outfits (p. 249). As in the previous edition, all is meticulously researched and presented. This reviewer has made good use of the previous edition in a second career as community theatre costume designer. I look forward to using this valuable and much needed updating of a classic costume reference.

   Nancy Lorraine Reviewer




5. This book covers the largest time period in fashion history available today. Although the author limited herself to one book, the amount of information that is packed into this book is absolutely wonderful for anyone interested in costuming. Not only is politcal history covered, trival facts and those who influenced fashion are described in concise detail. Most helpful are the sketches on nearly every other page, which show details of full outfits and variations of certain garments. Diagrams of how to tie men's ties and special period collars are extremely useful. Men, women, children, underwear, shoes, accessories - this book covers it all.

2 comments about The Rivals (Dover Thrift Editions).

1. The editor, Alan Downer, cautions the reader (as opposed to a spectator of the play) "not to allow himself to be troubled by the labyrinthine mechanics of the plot". Enjoy the comic aspects of the moment; the play will take care of itself. Downer argues that Sheridan envisioned The Rivals as a series of comic scenes, not necessarily a tightly woven plot.
   
   In his preface Richard Brinsley Sheridan reminds the readers that this play was not initially well received and, in fact, he had to withdraw the play to remove imperfections. His later version was more successful and today The Rivals is one of the few English comedies from that period that continues to interest modern audiences.
   
   I found the beginning slow. The author's wordy preface was followed by a prologue in which two lawyers plead with the audience to give this play fair consideration. On the tenth night a new prologue replaced the pleading as it was now obvious that the revised play was indeed successful. In Act 1 I had some difficulty keeping track of the characters and I chose to reread the first act before proceeding. Thereafter, the going was much smoother and I began to appreciate the foibles of the characters and their confused machinations.
   
   The protagonist, the young Captain Absolute, was sensible for the most part, although his plan to woo the capricious Lydia Languish was obviously destined for trouble. The other characters included his excitable father Sir Anthony Absolute, his father's patient ward Julia, the silly Mrs. Malaprop, the comic gentleman wooers Faulkland, Acres, and Sir Lucius O'Trigger, and the conniving servants Fag, David, Thomas, and Lucy. While Sheridan does encourage us to laugh at his characters, his satire is gentle. His characters are not at all unlikable, just a little eccentric and possibly not overly intelligent.
   
   I recently read and reviewed Sheridan's enjoyable The School for Scandal and I recommend that the reader new to Sheridan begin with it rather than The Rivals. Both plays are short and can be read with little difficulty with the help of an occasional footnote. For my reading of The Rivals I used the Crofts Classics edition in which Alan Downer provides a useful introduction, a list of key dates in Sheridan's life, footnotes, and a bibliography. I give four stars to The Rivals. I previously rated The School for Scandal as five stars.



2. This is the first major comedy by Sheridan, a radical Irish actor and politician in George III's England. Not quite as complex and astute as his later She Stoops to Conquer, the Rivals remains a warm, unforgettable, and very, very funny play.

   Here we meet the chatty Mrs. Malaprop, who proudly tells us "if I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue, and a nice derangement of epitaphs"; her niece Lydia, lost in the world of lurid half-bound romantic novels; Sir Anthony Absolute, often wrong but never in doubt; Sir Lucious O'Trigger, of BlunderBuss Hall; and the rest. The dialogue and plot devices are well-crafted and funny; the social commentary is perceptive and satisfyingly naughty; but what stays with you is the humanity of each of the characters. These are not the charicatures of Restoration comedy, but personalties the reader will remember; ridiculous like all humans, but engendering empathy as well as laughter.