The following books are my so-called "Summer Reading List," the titles of publications that I've polished off during the summer months. What makes this list so strange is that I usually don't read...
America (The Book) - A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction
by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
If ever there was a reason to pay attention during your high school U.S. History class, it's America (The Book). The more knowledge of (ultimately useless) American history you have at your disposal, the funnier this book will be. It's not just for the "ooh-look-at-me-and-how-I-excel-in-high-school" types, either... as the book is also strewn with many pop culture references, so as to not completely exclude mental invalids like myself. ((I mean, hey, people... money is money, no matter who they can get it from))
In fact, America (The Book) is probably the one "smart person's book" that us "normal brained people" can understand. Or at least pretend that we do -- and thus, look far cooler in the process.
Highly recommended
The Complete Works of Shakespeare and Monty Python - Volume One: Monty Python
by John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin
This book is actually a collection of two previously published Monty Python books, Monty Python's Big Red Book and The Brand New Monty Python Bok... so I feel as if I should write about them as separate books, in a way. The Big Red Book was an extremely quick read, but had me laughing harder than most things I've seen or read in quite some time.
On the other hand, Brand New Monty Python Bok seemed to have far more material printed between the pages... a lot of which (I'm not gonna lie) I didn't understand. This is where being British certainly could have come in handy. I also didn't understand where some of the concepts for the material came from, until I saw Monty Python's And Now For Something Completely Different... and it made some of the text much funnier.
Highly recommended, after you watch some old 'Flying Circus' videos
Auditioning for the Musical Theatre
by Fred Silver
Technically, this is the second time I have read this book, but I believe it's the first time I've ever really understood it. True, most of the things I read the first time around seemed to make sense, but it wasn't until my experience singing for Andrew Lippa earlier this year that I realized I had been applying none of the things discussed in this book. If applied correctly, the techniques that lie inside this book will enhance a singer's performance (not only at auditions, but in general).
That having been said, this book will make references to many musicals that are slightly outdated (I have never seen, nor heard of, many of the shows referenced in the book) as well as shows that are well-known, so a working knowledge of musical theatre is a must for those keen on reading the title. Then again, it is a book on auditioning specifically for the musical theatre, so I'd hope that the reader would have said knowledge.
This book reminds me of Michael Shurtleff's "Audition," in that the more times you read it -- the more knowledge you will absorb. I can't wait for a chance to apply some of the knowledge I've learned!
Highly recommended for those seeking employment in musical theatre -- will be of absolutely no value otherwise.
Pygmalion
by George Bernard Shaw
Having never read My Fair Lady or a Shaw play, I decided that this summer was the perfect time to pick up a copy of Pygmalion, the play that Lady was based on. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, except for a girl speaking with a Cockney accent and a more upper-class Englishman correcting her speech (thanks to that episode of Family Guy -- "The life of the wife is ended by the knife!"). I was in for a surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed Pygmalion, which I was able to read in under two hours. With such a minimal time investment for such a good payoff, why wouldn't you read it? Another great thing about this work is that it's accessible for free via the internet. Just log on to SparkNotes and navigate your way through to the Full Texts of Classic Literature section. You'll find this one there, along with many other things that I plan on reading this summer.
Strongly recommended
Rewrites
by Neil Simon
Steve Martin summarized this memoir perfectly in his review of the book, a snippet of which was used on the book's back cover -- "Neil Simon has created... [a]n autobiographical page-turner. I cried until I laughed." I think I can do no better in attempting to review this book other than to echo those statements. I carried this book with me for days on end, reading of Neil Simon's exploits during his first few years in the theatrical business. The book also sheds some light on who Neil Simon is as a person (which, honestly, was a great subject of his writing in his plays). It's interesting to see what parts of Neil Simon's greatest works were fact or fiction, as he 's appropriately candid enough in his memoir to "tell all." Just a warning, the end of this book is absolutely heartbreaking.
Strongly recommended
The Play Goes On
by Neil Simon
After "Rewrites", I had to head back to the library to pick up "The Play Goes On". This book picks up exactly as "Rewrites" left off, almost leaving the feeling of one long book. In fact, if he didn't include some expositionary paragraphs in this book (to explain certain things to people who didn't read "Rewrites"), I would have been absolutely certain that I had never stopped reading the former. This book tackles Neil Simon's remarriages and later theatrical successes, leading him to current day (although "current day" is now about ten years ago). Not as emotionally draining as "Rewrites," but a solid, similar follow-up. Now if only Neil Simon would return from the cave that he's currently hiding in, maybe we could get a good comedy on Broadway again.
Strongly recommended, after finishing "Rewrites"
The Fervent Years
by Harold Clurman
Never before have I read about something so interesting told in such a boring way. I had to struggle with this book all summer, reading ten pages at a time, until I finally conquered the sonofabitch. Truth be told, I was going to give up somewhere around page 150, but I was dragged back in -- knowing that if I didn't finish it now I'd be forced to do so in a shorter period of time at school. I can review this book in one word : Boring.
Not recommended whatsoever.
Bad Habits
by Terrance McNally
I knew absolutely nothing about Bad Habits before I started reading it -- other than the fact that it was the one play Jackie Solotar assigned for us to read that I didn't pick up last year. I didn't even know what to think of it when I opened the text to find out that it was really two short plays, with each act being dedicated to a different play. I thoroughly enjoyed the first play, "Dunelawn." I think that I actually understood what was going on with the characters. The second, "Ravenswood," was okay, but I couldn't really enjoy it until it was almost over. This was probably my least favorite read of the summer, but it was still decent.
Read this if it's assigned.
Angels In America: Millenium Approaches
by Tony Kushner
I wanted nothing more than to hate this play. I severely dislike Tony Kushner every time I see him on TV (which, let's face it, is restricted to the Tony Awards broadcast), and I was positively sure that I would dislike anything he wrote. I've even thus far successfully avoided the Angels in America HBO movie that was released (to great critical acclaim, mind you). I really decided that, if I'm going to dispute Tony Kushner's writing talent, I may as well have actually read something that he's written. It only makes sense, right?
Unfortunately for me, I absolutely loved the play. I found it an extremely quick read that honestly engaged me from page one to the end. In fact, I heard that my brother's school is producing the play this year, and I've decided to go and watch it... that's how well-written the play is. Sure, it's a little "everyone's gay and has AIDS"... but so was RENT. I'm actually looking forward to reading the second part of Angels. Scary.
Highly recommended, actually
Autumn Reading List
I guess I can no longer say that "I don't read anything." After this summer's decent amount of reading that I put under my belt, I decided to continue the trend into the fall. I guess that the two-plus hours I spend on the bus everyday doesn't hurt, either...
"Chapter Two" by Neil Simon
"Come Blow Your Horn" by Neil Simon
"Barefoot in the Park" by Neil Simon
"The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
"Rumors" by Neil Simon
Chapter Two
by Neil Simon
When I first saw a production of Chapter Two, I didn't really understand it. Now, I'm not saying that it was a particularly bad production, but... okay, I'm saying it was a bad production (I liked the actors, if that helps any). Chapter Two, based on Neil Simon's real-life marriage to actress Marsha Mason, is a cute story of two people who find comfort in each other from their respective failed relationships. After they marry too quickly, their love for one another is tested. There's a good female part in this show (which is a rarity), including one of the best female monologues I've read in a long time. I'd love to have scene work from this one.
Highly recommended
Come Blow Your Horn
by Neil Simon
Come Blow Your Horn was Neil Simon's first attempt at writing a comedy for the stage. While that could spell disaster (a writer normally isn't that good in the early stages of his career), one must also remember that Neil Simon had had a great deal of TV writing experience prior to this one, and this is the play that kicked his career off. The movie version of this play apparently wasn't too accurate, but it had Frank Sinatra in it, so I'll probably watch it anyway. Regardless, Come Blow Your Horn is a legitimately funny play about a typical American family. If you liked Brighton Beach Memoirs or Broadway Bound, you'll probably also enjoy this play.
Highly recommended
Barefoot in the Park
by Neil Simon
Barefoot in the Park has quickly become one of my favorite plays. It was a fairly quick read, and I can completely understand why it's one of the most produced plays in America. It has a simple setting, a small cast, and a wonderful story. In fact, after reading this one, it's become a goal of mine to play the part of Paul. Perhaps it's just that strange connection that I feel to most of Neil Simon's work, but I see so much of myself reflected in it. I can't wait to pick up the movie version of this play.
Highly recommended
The Odd Couple
by Neil Simon
I think that everyone knows the basics of The Odd Couple, so I'll spare you from reading them here. I decided to pick this one up again, in honor of the recent Broadway revival that just started playing at the Brooks Atkinson. Even after reading the play several times and watching the movie, The Odd Couple remains one of the funniest plays I've ever read. I literally found myself laughing out loud re-reading this one.
Strongly recommended
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling
In progress!
