The celebrated New York Times drama critic and columnist Frank Rich shares an endearing memoir of a childhood transformed by the magic of Broadway.
There is a theater superstitions that if the emptied house is ever left completely dark, a ghost will take up residence. To prevent this, a single ghost light is left burning at center stage after the audience and all of the actors and musicians have gone home. Frank Rich's eloquent and moving boyhood memoir reveals how theater itself became a ghost light and a beacon of security for a child finding his way in a tumultuous world.
Struggling with his parents' divorce and the universal trial of childhood, Rich took refuge in the spectacle and emotion of the great musicals - South Pacific, Carousel, The Music Man -and eventually found a second home at Washington's National Theatre, where as a teen he was ticket-taker. The revered New York Times critic writes lovingly of how his favorite shows, songs, and actors became a lifeline, leading him out of a tumultuous household and propelling him towards the itinerant family of theater, whose romantic denizens welcomed him into the colorful fringes of Broadway during its last glamorous era.
Download and start listening now!
"This book is a MUST for any theater fan. Rich, the former theater critic of the NY TIMES, details how theater literally saved his life during a rather unhappy childhood. His excitement and gratitude to the practioners of the art form are palpable, and his writing is impeccable." — Ronni (5 out of 5 stars)
"This book is a MUST for any theater fan. Rich, the former theater critic of the NY TIMES, details how theater literally saved his life during a rather unhappy childhood. His excitement and gratitude to the practioners of the art form are palpable, and his writing is impeccable."
" Well written book about growing up in the late 50's and early 60's. Stories about Broadway shows showed some similair interest as my step son is going to school for theater. "
" I'm more of a fiction reader, but I picked up this book because it looked interesting. I was sucked and and devoured it. Fantastic look at what you will do to obtain what you love. "
" Memoir by Frank Rich, the theatre critic for the NY Times. What a life he lived. What a way to grow up. I am jealous, jealous! "
" Not my all time favorite book but a must for any musical theater buff! "
" --- a theater-obsessed boy, who uses musical theater to escape an unhappy home life, grows up to become the theater critic for the NY Times. "
" Excellent memoir of a lonely childhood spent obsessing about the theatre "
" If you have a love of the theater, grew up going to the theater, have a parent who adores the theater ... you will love this book. "
" I got so angry at the abuse and inaction in this book that I had to stop reading it. "
" Wonderful coming of age that highlights the golden age of Broadway. Full of a lot of heart and honesty. Really quite affecting. "
" I agree with James Ellroy: a spellbinding coming of age tale". Unlike some memoirs by those with difficult childhoods, he is - while very honest - able also to credit the good parts. "
" Frank Rich's column for the NY Times in my opinion, is always right on the money. For an insight of who he is today, this memoir is a good start. He is a theater-aholic. "
" A phenomenal memoir by one my favorite columnists. I probably like it even better because he signed my book for me. "
" If you grew up, as I did, singing along with Broadway show tunes from the '40s and '50s, you'll love this memoir "
" This book was an interesting memoir about a childhood/young adulthood in DC and NY. I think I was expecting more that would've informed me about his current focus on our political system...but was interesting nonetheless "
" Great theater book along with his memoir. Easy read for a weekend. Would recommend for those that have an interest in theater & memoirs - well written. "
" Very cool autobiography, about the theater and its leading critic & champion, the great New York Times writer Frank Rich. "
Frank Rich served from 1980 to 1993 as the chief drama critic for the New York Times, and is now an op-ed columnist at the paper, as well as senior writer for the New York Times Magazine. He lives in New York City
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.