PRELUDE TO A KISS
Craig Lucas
This collection brings back into print one of Craig Lucas’ best known and enduring works, A Prelude to a Kiss, which
was both a hit on Broadway and a popular motion picture. Frank Rich in The New York Times wrote about Prelude--“It is
rare to find a play so suffused with sorrow that sends one home so high.” Also included are Missing Persons--“a truly
intelligent play, one that is literary and heartfelt, beautifully written…a well-crafted, moving story, a dramatic rarity in
these or any times.”(New York Post) and Three Postcards, an offbeat and uniquely imaginative free form musical play.
COLLECTED STORIES
Donald Margulies
Collected Stories explores the vexed emotional and legal question of a writer's right to create art from the biographical
material of another person's life-particularly when that other person is also a writer. Meditating upon the recent, real-life
conflict between poet Stephen Spender and novelist David Leavitt, Margulies has created two of the most vivid and
moving fictional characters of his career: Ruth Steiner, an aging, highly regarded author who never wrote about her
youthful affair with real-life poet Delmore Schwartz, and Lisa Morrison, a student of Steiner's who, after publishing a
much-ballyhooed first short-story collection under Steiner's direction, follows up with a novel that draws upon the
Schwartz affair. The result is charged drama with the depth and weight of the finest prose fiction. Winner of the Los
Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best New Play. "A thoughtful and many-layered exploration of the relationship
between a short-story specialist in the autumn of her career and an anxious, bright young thing ready to storm the book-
world barricades. Like the best fiction, in drama or prose, Margulies’ Collected Stories captures much of the nagging
mysteriousness, the intriguing incompleteness of life."--Charles Isherwood, Variety
BEST PLAYS OF 2006-2007
Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, ed.
(coming in 2008, previous editions available)
For the 88th edition, to be published by Limelight Editions early in 2008, the annual chronicle of United States theater
honors 10 new plays and three regional plays, as well as comprehensive information about the previous year in U.S.
theater. Each of the 10 “Best Plays” gets an essay by different theater writer including Charles Isherwood, Charles
McNulty, Anne Marie Welsh and Michael Feingold.
Craig Lucas
This collection brings back into print one of Craig Lucas’ best known and enduring works, A Prelude to a Kiss, which
was both a hit on Broadway and a popular motion picture. Frank Rich in The New York Times wrote about Prelude--“It is
rare to find a play so suffused with sorrow that sends one home so high.” Also included are Missing Persons--“a truly
intelligent play, one that is literary and heartfelt, beautifully written…a well-crafted, moving story, a dramatic rarity in
these or any times.”(New York Post) and Three Postcards, an offbeat and uniquely imaginative free form musical play.
COLLECTED STORIES
Donald Margulies
Collected Stories explores the vexed emotional and legal question of a writer's right to create art from the biographical
material of another person's life-particularly when that other person is also a writer. Meditating upon the recent, real-life
conflict between poet Stephen Spender and novelist David Leavitt, Margulies has created two of the most vivid and
moving fictional characters of his career: Ruth Steiner, an aging, highly regarded author who never wrote about her
youthful affair with real-life poet Delmore Schwartz, and Lisa Morrison, a student of Steiner's who, after publishing a
much-ballyhooed first short-story collection under Steiner's direction, follows up with a novel that draws upon the
Schwartz affair. The result is charged drama with the depth and weight of the finest prose fiction. Winner of the Los
Angeles Drama Critics Award for Best New Play. "A thoughtful and many-layered exploration of the relationship
between a short-story specialist in the autumn of her career and an anxious, bright young thing ready to storm the book-
world barricades. Like the best fiction, in drama or prose, Margulies’ Collected Stories captures much of the nagging
mysteriousness, the intriguing incompleteness of life."--Charles Isherwood, Variety
BEST PLAYS OF 2006-2007
Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, ed.
(coming in 2008, previous editions available)
For the 88th edition, to be published by Limelight Editions early in 2008, the annual chronicle of United States theater
honors 10 new plays and three regional plays, as well as comprehensive information about the previous year in U.S.
theater. Each of the 10 “Best Plays” gets an essay by different theater writer including Charles Isherwood, Charles
McNulty, Anne Marie Welsh and Michael Feingold.
A guide to surviving and thriving in regional theate. Denver
Center Theatre Company Artistic Director Kent Thompson notes
that “As usual, Volz writes with humor, wisdom and insight,
creating a practical guide filled with anecdotes, quotes and lots of
useful information. I cannot think of a better book for aspiring and
working actors, craftspeople, artists, and managers on America’
s remarkable regional theaters.”
Center Theatre Company Artistic Director Kent Thompson notes
that “As usual, Volz writes with humor, wisdom and insight,
creating a practical guide filled with anecdotes, quotes and lots of
useful information. I cannot think of a better book for aspiring and
working actors, craftspeople, artists, and managers on America’
s remarkable regional theaters.”
theatertimes.org
THEATER TIMES COMMUNITY STORE
"The Best of You" presents Craig Wallace’s on-camera
technique. Actors will learn to capitalize on their unique
strengths, and deliver the bold and fearless auditions that get the
job. Offering information and lessons relevant to today’s
marketplace, this clear, concise, and encouraging book is fast
becoming an invaluable resource for both the aspiring and the
working actor.
technique. Actors will learn to capitalize on their unique
strengths, and deliver the bold and fearless auditions that get the
job. Offering information and lessons relevant to today’s
marketplace, this clear, concise, and encouraging book is fast
becoming an invaluable resource for both the aspiring and the
working actor.
HOW TO RUN A THEATER
A Witty, Practical and Fun Guide
to Arts Management
Jim Volz
A Witty, Practical and Fun Guide
to Arts Management
Jim Volz
| PLAYS |
By rights, we should be pushing Randy Newman’s ‘Faust,’ a
musical theater piece, or ‘Guilty,’ his career overview, or
‘Land of Dreams,’ which was arguably the thematic
springboard for his 2000 semi-autobiographical musical
theater piece ‘The Education of Randy Newman.’ But, we like
to see the lp that came along at a particularly fun time in our
life and still has tunes that mean the most: ‘Texas Girl,’ ‘Jolly
Coppers,’ ‘Baltimore,’ ‘Old Man,’ ‘In Germany Before the War,’
and the signature piano rolling of ‘Fat Man.’ (Of course, it
also has Newman’s most popular tune, ‘Short People.’) Can’t
go wrong with anything by the Randster. Favorite
soundtracks to recommend are ‘The Natural’ and ‘Avalon.’
Though, of course, there are ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Monsters, Inc.’
for the whole family.
Plenty of good vocals to choose from by the New England-
bred and L.A.-spread singer with the band that’s a true point
of pride for SoCal jazz lovers. The latest album, ‘The Other
Side,’ flips the standard take on standards by turning the table
on sentiment. From ‘Get Happy’ lyric, “it's quiet and peaceful
on the other side,” Sutton and her co-arranging bandmates
offer an almost disturbing view of that . Their landmark album
and one not to be missed. (And Jack Sheldon fans have to
have the duet in which he and Tierney get into a tease
match. Don’t need to tell you who wins that one.)
Lovers of Big Band swing can take heart in the ‘Legends of
Swing,’ led by Gary Tole and working to keep the tradition
alive by infusing it with new arrangements and new takes on
the standard. ‘Little Help from My Friends’ off the new disc
has already received a Grammy nom. Recorded at Capitol
records studios, ‘Kettle’ is a break-through for Tole and the
band.
Trombonist, conductor, composer, vocalist and arranger Scott
Whitfield reveals his “fan” side in this tribute to trumpeter Nat
Adderly. Released in 2006, it features a studio-full of New
Yorkers, but they manage to sound as good as our locals.
Among them are Marvin Stamm, Howard Johnson, Kenny
Ascher, Michael Hackett and Karolina Strassmayer. Beautiful
stuff.
musical theater piece, or ‘Guilty,’ his career overview, or
‘Land of Dreams,’ which was arguably the thematic
springboard for his 2000 semi-autobiographical musical
theater piece ‘The Education of Randy Newman.’ But, we like
to see the lp that came along at a particularly fun time in our
life and still has tunes that mean the most: ‘Texas Girl,’ ‘Jolly
Coppers,’ ‘Baltimore,’ ‘Old Man,’ ‘In Germany Before the War,’
and the signature piano rolling of ‘Fat Man.’ (Of course, it
also has Newman’s most popular tune, ‘Short People.’) Can’t
go wrong with anything by the Randster. Favorite
soundtracks to recommend are ‘The Natural’ and ‘Avalon.’
Though, of course, there are ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Monsters, Inc.’
for the whole family.
Plenty of good vocals to choose from by the New England-
bred and L.A.-spread singer with the band that’s a true point
of pride for SoCal jazz lovers. The latest album, ‘The Other
Side,’ flips the standard take on standards by turning the table
on sentiment. From ‘Get Happy’ lyric, “it's quiet and peaceful
on the other side,” Sutton and her co-arranging bandmates
offer an almost disturbing view of that . Their landmark album
and one not to be missed. (And Jack Sheldon fans have to
have the duet in which he and Tierney get into a tease
match. Don’t need to tell you who wins that one.)
Lovers of Big Band swing can take heart in the ‘Legends of
Swing,’ led by Gary Tole and working to keep the tradition
alive by infusing it with new arrangements and new takes on
the standard. ‘Little Help from My Friends’ off the new disc
has already received a Grammy nom. Recorded at Capitol
records studios, ‘Kettle’ is a break-through for Tole and the
band.
Trombonist, conductor, composer, vocalist and arranger Scott
Whitfield reveals his “fan” side in this tribute to trumpeter Nat
Adderly. Released in 2006, it features a studio-full of New
Yorkers, but they manage to sound as good as our locals.
Among them are Marvin Stamm, Howard Johnson, Kenny
Ascher, Michael Hackett and Karolina Strassmayer. Beautiful
stuff.
The beautiful Ginger Berglund gives breath and wing to some of
our favorite things in this 2000 release titled after our favorite
Kenny Rankin tune. A must have. Great gift for fans of female
vocalists who may have not heard of this one. ‘Prelude to a Kiss’
gets a particularly nice rendering and Rankin even shows up for
some harmonizing. Great accompaniment by Shelley Berg, piano,
Bruce Eskovitz, sax, Jennifer Leitham, bass, Roy McCurdy, drums
and Aaron Serfaty, percussion.
Whether playing with his pianist son Gerald, his reed-playing
brother Jeff, adding in Jeff Hamilton on the drums, or going full out
with the great Clayton Hamilton Jazz Band, bassist John Clayton in
constantly producing music and recordings. Whether running the
Hollywood Jazz program or just the fretboard, he’s worth paying
attention to and there are plenty of his and his bands’ CDs to
browse. You’ll also find him guesting on CDs by Diana Krall,
Gladys Night, Regina Carter, John Pizzarelli and many others. Our
current favorite is ‘Back in the Swing,’ in the quintet format with
his brother.
Young saxophonist Shannon Kennedy emerged from Orange
County (OCHSA, CSULB). A champion of music and local
emergent, she created a Web site to push ‘teen jazz (here), the
ranks of which she herself has left behind. Still, the tireless young
musician is herself an excellent player in the smooth jazz
vernacular, but clearly keeping her eyes on greater champions of
the form. Her employ of all saxophones as well as flute on a
dozen tracks mostly written by herself, offers a gentle platter of
contemporary fare that should appeal to smooth jazz fans, but be
of special interest for those who follow the local jazz scene. Not
only is award-winning keyboardist Dan Reckard, leader of the
Black Note Trio in Kennedy’s band, but she has OCHSA Jazz
Director Bijon Watson on a couple tracks and guest appearances
by hot selling saxophonist Kirk Whalen and guitarist Peter White.
Kennedy is ambitious and talented. Her music is neat, interesting
and very listenable. The opening cut, ‘Double Shot,’ with a feel of
the Dan’s ‘Babylon Sisters,’ lets her trade licks with Whalen, while
other songs, including one co-written with Reckard, cover the
contemporary territory. As essential as original tunes are to a
young artist, it’s ironically the standards that put her in focus. On
Ellington’s ‘In a Sentimental Mood,’ one can hear how Kennedy’s
rich, melodic tenor finds the soul of this oft-covered tune. It’s a
stand-out and this fistful of calling cards from a player who can be
found on the local circuit throughout the year. Since ‘Steppin’ Out’
she has ‘Never My Love.’
Bassist Jennifer Leitham, one of the great L.A.-based vets
(Severinson, Tormé), writes up a discworth of bass-based
originals and gets side helpings from pianst Josh Nelson, drummer
Randy Drake and special guest John Clayton on the bass
ensemble piece, "Riff Raff."
our favorite things in this 2000 release titled after our favorite
Kenny Rankin tune. A must have. Great gift for fans of female
vocalists who may have not heard of this one. ‘Prelude to a Kiss’
gets a particularly nice rendering and Rankin even shows up for
some harmonizing. Great accompaniment by Shelley Berg, piano,
Bruce Eskovitz, sax, Jennifer Leitham, bass, Roy McCurdy, drums
and Aaron Serfaty, percussion.
Whether playing with his pianist son Gerald, his reed-playing
brother Jeff, adding in Jeff Hamilton on the drums, or going full out
with the great Clayton Hamilton Jazz Band, bassist John Clayton in
constantly producing music and recordings. Whether running the
Hollywood Jazz program or just the fretboard, he’s worth paying
attention to and there are plenty of his and his bands’ CDs to
browse. You’ll also find him guesting on CDs by Diana Krall,
Gladys Night, Regina Carter, John Pizzarelli and many others. Our
current favorite is ‘Back in the Swing,’ in the quintet format with
his brother.
Young saxophonist Shannon Kennedy emerged from Orange
County (OCHSA, CSULB). A champion of music and local
emergent, she created a Web site to push ‘teen jazz (here), the
ranks of which she herself has left behind. Still, the tireless young
musician is herself an excellent player in the smooth jazz
vernacular, but clearly keeping her eyes on greater champions of
the form. Her employ of all saxophones as well as flute on a
dozen tracks mostly written by herself, offers a gentle platter of
contemporary fare that should appeal to smooth jazz fans, but be
of special interest for those who follow the local jazz scene. Not
only is award-winning keyboardist Dan Reckard, leader of the
Black Note Trio in Kennedy’s band, but she has OCHSA Jazz
Director Bijon Watson on a couple tracks and guest appearances
by hot selling saxophonist Kirk Whalen and guitarist Peter White.
Kennedy is ambitious and talented. Her music is neat, interesting
and very listenable. The opening cut, ‘Double Shot,’ with a feel of
the Dan’s ‘Babylon Sisters,’ lets her trade licks with Whalen, while
other songs, including one co-written with Reckard, cover the
contemporary territory. As essential as original tunes are to a
young artist, it’s ironically the standards that put her in focus. On
Ellington’s ‘In a Sentimental Mood,’ one can hear how Kennedy’s
rich, melodic tenor finds the soul of this oft-covered tune. It’s a
stand-out and this fistful of calling cards from a player who can be
found on the local circuit throughout the year. Since ‘Steppin’ Out’
she has ‘Never My Love.’
Bassist Jennifer Leitham, one of the great L.A.-based vets
(Severinson, Tormé), writes up a discworth of bass-based
originals and gets side helpings from pianst Josh Nelson, drummer
Randy Drake and special guest John Clayton on the bass
ensemble piece, "Riff Raff."
THE BACK STAGE GUIDE TO
WORKING IN REGIONAL THEATER:
Jim Volz
WORKING IN REGIONAL THEATER:
Jim Volz
Volz provides an arts management guide that includes helpful, easy-
to-follow lists such as ‘22 Wonderful Ways to Improve Your Life in
the Theate’ and ‘15 Ways to Infuriate Your Community.’ It provides
information on strengthening an organization by building audiences,
bolstering fund-raising, and tightening finances. Also covered are
tips for solidifying relationships with boards, volunteers,
communities, and colleagues.
to-follow lists such as ‘22 Wonderful Ways to Improve Your Life in
the Theate’ and ‘15 Ways to Infuriate Your Community.’ It provides
information on strengthening an organization by building audiences,
bolstering fund-raising, and tightening finances. Also covered are
tips for solidifying relationships with boards, volunteers,
communities, and colleagues.
THE BEST OF YOU
Winning Auditions Your Way
Craig Wallace
Winning Auditions Your Way
Craig Wallace
A TALENT FOR TROUBLE:
WILLIAM WYLER
Jan Herman
WILLIAM WYLER
Jan Herman
THE OTHER SIDE
Tierney Sutton Band
Tierney Sutton Band
LITTLE CRIMINALS
Randy Newman
Randy Newman
ONE KETTLE FOR COUNT
Gary Tole
and the Legends of Swing
Gary Tole
and the Legends of Swing
DIAMONDS FOR NAT
Scott Whitfield
Scott Whitfield
THE REAL ME
Jennifer Leitham
Jennifer Leitham
BACK IN THE
SWING OF THINGS
John Clayton /
Clayton Brothers
SWING OF THINGS
John Clayton /
Clayton Brothers
STEPPIN' UP
Shannon Kennedy
Shannon Kennedy
HAVEN'T WE MET
Ginger Berglund
Ginger Berglund
The published and recorded work on this page trace back to someone within the TheaterTimes network of
friends and colleagues. Please consider these talented artists when purchasing gifts for theater lovers
celebrating a birthday, a holiday, or just being alive. Titles are links to pages where you can buy the product or
get you within in buying range. There's no percentage in it for TheaterTimes, just a service for those in the
family. If you are in -- or want to be -- and suggest something for the Community Store, write us here.
friends and colleagues. Please consider these talented artists when purchasing gifts for theater lovers
celebrating a birthday, a holiday, or just being alive. Titles are links to pages where you can buy the product or
get you within in buying range. There's no percentage in it for TheaterTimes, just a service for those in the
family. If you are in -- or want to be -- and suggest something for the Community Store, write us here.
A master craftsman with a powerful sense of moral realism and
psychological detail, Wyler's movies--Jezebel, The Little Foxes,
Mrs. Miniver, Roman Holiday and The Best Years of Our Lives, to
name just a few--won him three Academy Awards for direction.
Herman shows that Wyler's own story is every bit as
entertaining as his movies. Filmography. Index. Photos.
psychological detail, Wyler's movies--Jezebel, The Little Foxes,
Mrs. Miniver, Roman Holiday and The Best Years of Our Lives, to
name just a few--won him three Academy Awards for direction.
Herman shows that Wyler's own story is every bit as
entertaining as his movies. Filmography. Index. Photos.
WISHBONES
Lucinda Coxon
Investigates desire, mortality, shame and redemption in a peculiarly English setting - a small town in Derbyshire -
a provincial world that is vanishing before the eyes of its inhabitants.
Lucinda Coxon
Investigates desire, mortality, shame and redemption in a peculiarly English setting - a small town in Derbyshire -
a provincial world that is vanishing before the eyes of its inhabitants.
ACTING PROFESSIONALLY
Raw Facts About Careers in Acting
McGraw-Hill, 2004
Robert Cohen
Raw Facts About Careers in Acting
McGraw-Hill, 2004
Robert Cohen
ACTING SHAKESPEARE
Paperback
Robert Cohen
Paperback
Robert Cohen
A complete guide to the business of beginning an acting career in
theatre, film, or television, on both coasts and in the heartland,
offering counsel to acting majors on actor training approaches,
career positioning, finding an agent, auditioning, interviewing, and
making long-range career decisions.
theatre, film, or television, on both coasts and in the heartland,
offering counsel to acting majors on actor training approaches,
career positioning, finding an agent, auditioning, interviewing, and
making long-range career decisions.
". . .excellent basic guide for anyone who likes to get behind the
scenes, be it the actor who performs. . ." 'The Shakespeare
Newsletter'
"By book's end, students can reasonably be expected to be
comfortable and confident with Shakespeare's demands. . . . "
'Theatre Journal'
scenes, be it the actor who performs. . ." 'The Shakespeare
Newsletter'
"By book's end, students can reasonably be expected to be
comfortable and confident with Shakespeare's demands. . . . "
'Theatre Journal'