Broadway Reads to Get Through Quarantine

One of the good things that probably came out of being in quarantine is that I was ale to catch up on a lot of my reading. Not necessarily all Broadway related, reading gave me a chance to sit and unwind through stressful times.

With theater shut down, here are some recommendations to satisfy theatre cravings up until the “extended intermission” concludes.

Razzle Dazzle – The Battle for Broadway by Michael Riedel
Call it a history textbook but way more interesting and entertaining.  Riedel takes you back from the beginning – roots, to vaudeville, to Broadway’s golden years and onto the modern era.  Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway is a must for everyone who are interested in learning about Broadway’s heavy hitters and power players, and how empires are built into how we know Broadway this day. 

Song of Spiderman by Glen Berger
Berger gives you an inside look on the development of the most controversial musical ever to play Broadway – from the conceptualization stage to opening night.  A fascinating read as it gives you a fly-on-the-wall perspective on a show’s development.

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich
This novelization actually came up after the fruition of the show and not only details the story, but also provides a bit more context in some aspects.  A perfect companion book for a fan of the musical.  

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
If you want something that’s a little bit more literary-ish. Be warned, the book is way different from the musical so don’t expect a laugh out loud read. Despite that, it’s a very good read for when you want to get to know the characters deeper.

Life is Like a Musical by Tim Federle
A how-to guide into dealing with the industry, however, can be applied into any profession.  

Too Much Is Not Enough: A Memoir of Fumbling Toward Adulthood by Andrew Rannells
Rannells’ memoir gives us a humorous inside look into his early years and through his struggles with breaking into the industry and personal issues.  

Just the tip of the iceberg here.  Stay tuned for more recommended reading!