Reviews
This book is a must-have in every Black family's library, whether you are into Black theater or not. It is a tribute to the talent of our people. --The New York Amsterdam News [An] admirably researched and beautifully illustrated theatrical history both on the specific Broadway shows and on the great theatrical talents that best define the contributions that black performers and authors have made to the American theater. . . . an excellent volume . . . From first chapter to last, Lane's love for the theater shines through. . . . Black Broadway is a wonderful book. Its coffee table proportions allow it to be lushly illustrated with oversized historic photographs, and its heft indicates just how much history it contains, how many tales of the men and women who brought their genius to the center of the Broadway stage that the author, Stewart F. Lane, has to offer. --New York Journal of Books Loaded with pictures, playbill reproductions, advertisements, and drawings, Black Broadway is a theatre-goer's delight . . . in addition to a rich narrative on equality for African Americans on Broadway (and off), author Stewart F. Lane includes a running timeline of national and world history to put the main body of this book into perspective. --TheBookwormSez (nationally syndicated book reviewer) An insider's look at Broadway in a book filled with more than 300 photos. For anyone who loves Broadway, this book belongs in their library. This is great history from minstrel shows to vaudeville, from the jazz age to the golden age of the American musical. This is not just black history, but American history. --Alan Caruba, Bookviews ( Monthly Picks ) Read Black Broadway. A brisk, fascinating overview (with) hundreds of rare and revealing photographs. --Jesse Green, New York Magazine Uniquely illustrated with over 300 dynamic photographs (many of which have never been published to date), Black Broadway chronicles the journey of black theatre in America. Lane offers a detailed account from Minstrel Shows to Vaudeville, from the Jazz Age to the Golden Age of the American Musical, through the dramas inspired by the Civil Rights Movement to the present day Broadway. --Audrey Bernard, New York Beacon News Black Broadway provides an entertaining, poignant history of a Broadway of which few are aware. . . . This unique book offers a story well worth telling. --BroadwayWorld This is a book to have not only to read and enjoy, but this is a keeper. This is the kind of thing you keep in your home and go back to. It is a hugely important book that's terribly entertaining and I hope it becomes something that is even taught going forward. --Peter LeDonne, 970AM The Answer You've got to get this book. This is what it's all about. [Black Broadway] is an accomplishment, and to be in these pages is truly a high honor. Thank you, Stewart. --Ben Vereen This totemic, unusually comprehensive history of Black Broadway begins incredibly in the colonial times with the 'amazing' early Black countenances to the Suzan-Lori Parks' and August Wilsons of the contemporary stage and the recent all-Black versions of works by playwrights like Tennessee Williams. --Center on the Aisle Wonderful. You must get this book if you are a theatre lover. I am encouraging everyone looking to pick up something fabulous to read this, another perspective to theatre history . . . a fantastic, comprehensive book and a great introduction for anyone with an interest in theatre. A great book. Beautiful. Very cool. --Keith Price, SiriusXM Radio An informative . . . well focused . . . and beautifully illustrated book. The time is more than ripe for a chronicle of Black Broadway. --Linda Winer, Newsday An absolutely beautiful book! Thorough, interesting, the book does a really good job of reminding people of where we are and where we are headed. --WABC-TV I need to get that book! --Sade Baderinwa, Eyewitness News, WABC-TV If you want a great book . . . if you really love the theatre . . . get Stewart Lane's new book Black Broadway. . . . A great book by one of the great Broadway producers. Get it! Read it! . . . It's wonderful. --Mark Simone, WOR-AM Radio A beautifully designed and clearly written coffee-table book by Broadway producer and theatre owner Stewart F. Lane. . . . Black Broadway is one of few books about Broadway that not only spends quality time talking about Broadway shows and show people that date after 1990--it actually sounds optimistic about the future of the Great White Way. --Jonathan Mandell, American Theatre A fascinating cavalcade. Some 300 photographs, many-never-before-published, are lavished on this book in its celebration to the stage contributions of African-American playwrights, songwriters, directors and designers . . . the author is a thorough and exacting historian. --Harry Haun, Playbill You can't put this book down. It's a wonderful book. It's a book that lets young people know how (Black) theater began. --Leslie Uggams, Tony Award-winning actress The book is so valuable because we are reminded of our rich wonderful history as African-American theater artists. To have that documented is good for me as a theater practitioner, and certainly good for young people. --Sheldon Epps, director The book of all books. Recently, there has been a serious buzz about Black Broadway and it's all due to a new book called Black Broadway: African Americans on the Great White Way. As soon as I saw it, my eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. It's just as glorious as you might imagine. Order your copy of the book today. --Andrew Shade, BroadwayBlack.com A beautiful, 275-page, full-color coffee table book, Black Broadway juxtaposes the history of Black theater from the nineteenth century to today with the general history of African Americans . . . the book is a welcome addition to any library . . . Black Broadway is a great introduction to a broad range of people and plays, and it's hard to imagine a reader not being inspired to seek out the scripts, albums, and films of at least a few of the titles and performers mentioned. --TalkinBroadway The history of the participation of African Americans on the Broadway stage as actors, directors, producers, composers, and playwrights is presented in this handsomely illustrated volume . . . [author Stewart] Lane gives an impressive overview with rare production stills, playbills, and posters making his study an essential reference work . . . Of interest to students is the time line of African American history running at the bottom of each page and providing valuable social and cultural context . . . [t]his volume's superior presentation of visual theatrical elements make it essential for any theater collection. --Library Journal (starred review) For African Americans, the stage has held as much challenge, struggle, and triumph as other aspects of American life and culture. In this wonderfully illustrated and researched book, Tony Award-winning producer Lane chronicles the evolution of black theater from the 1700s to today. It is a history of finding creative expression in the midst of social constraints and massive cultural and political changes . . . [Black Broadway] details the efforts of black Americans to carve out a place for themselves . . . Lane profiles an assortment of black actors, composers, lyricists, and playwrights who brought the African American experience alive in the theater. --Booklist Filled with black-and-white and color photos and illustrations, this richly informative book by six-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Lane honors the legacy of determined African-American performers and ground-breaking productions . . . With photo stills and original theater-bill cover art, this is a wonderful, insightful history of black theater. --Publishers Weekly
This book is a must-have in every Black family's library, whether you are into Black theater or not. It is a tribute to the talent of our people. --The New York Amsterdam News [An] admirably researched and beautifully illustrated theatrical history both on the specific Broadway shows and on the great theatrical talents that best define the contributions that black performers and authors have made to the American theater. . . . an excellent volume . . . From first chapter to last, Lane's love for the theater shines through. . . . Black Broadway is a wonderful book. Its coffee table proportions allow it to be lushly illustrated with oversized historic photographs, and its heft indicates just how much history it contains, how many tales of the men and women who brought their genius to the center of the Broadway stage that the author, Stewart F. Lane, has to offer. --New York Journal of Books Loaded with pictures, playbill reproductions, advertisements, and drawings, Black Broadway is a theatre-goer's delight . . . in addition to a rich narrative on equality for African Americans on Broadway (and off), author Stewart F. Lane includes a running timeline of national and world history to put the main body of this book into perspective. --TheBookwormSez (nationally syndicated book reviewer) An insider's look at Broadway in a book filled with more than 300 photos. For anyone who loves Broadway, this book belongs in their library. This is great history from minstrel shows to vaudeville, from the jazz age to the golden age of the American musical. This is not just black history, but American history. --Alan Caruba, Bookviews ( Monthly Picks ) Read Black Broadway. A brisk, fascinating overview (with) hundreds of rare and revealing photographs. --Jesse Green, New York Magazine Uniquely illustrated with over 300 dynamic photographs (many of which have never been published to date), Black Broadway chronicles the journey of black theatre in America. Lane offers a detailed account from Minstrel Shows to Vaudeville, from the Jazz Age to the Golden Age of the American Musical, through the dramas inspired by the Civil Rights Movement to the present day Broadway. --Audrey Bernard, New York Beacon News An absolutely beautiful book! Thorough, interesting, the book does a really good job of reminding people of where we are and where we are headed. --WABC-TV A fascinating cavalcade. Some 300 photographs, many-never-before-published, are lavished on this book in its celebration to the stage contributions of African-American playwrights, songwriters, directors and designers . . . the author is a thorough and exacting historian. --Harry Haun, Playbill Black Broadway provides an entertaining, poignant history of a Broadway of which few are aware. . . . This unique book offers a story well worth telling. --BroadwayWorld This is a book to have not only to read and enjoy, but this is a keeper. This is the kind of thing you keep in your home and go back to. It is a hugely important book that's terribly entertaining and I hope it becomes something that is even taught going forward. --Peter LeDonne, 970AM The Answer You've got to get this book. This is what it's all about. [Black Broadway] is an accomplishment, and to be in these pages is truly a high honor. Thank you, Stewart. --Ben Vereen This totemic, unusually comprehensive history of Black Broadway begins incredibly in the colonial times with the 'amazing' early Black countenances to the Suzan-Lori Parks' and August Wilsons of the contemporary stage and the recent all-Black versions of works by playwrights like Tennessee Williams. --Center on the Aisle Wonderful. You must get this book if you are a theatre lover. I am encouraging everyone looking to pick up something fabulous to read this, another perspective to theatre history . . . a fantastic, comprehensive book and a great introduction for anyone with an interest in theatre. A great book. Beautiful. Very cool. --Keith Price, SiriusXM Radio An informative . . . well focused . . . and beautifully illustrated book. The time is more than ripe for a chronicle of Black Broadway. --Linda Winer, Newsday I need to get that book! --Sade Baderinwa, Eyewitness News, WABC-TV If you want a great book . . . if you really love the theatre . . . get Stewart Lane's new book Black Broadway. . . . A great book by one of the great Broadway producers. Get it! Read it! . . . It's wonderful. --Mark Simone, WOR-AM Radio A beautifully designed and clearly written coffee-table book by Broadway producer and theatre owner Stewart F. Lane. . . . Black Broadway is one of few books about Broadway that not only spends quality time talking about Broadway shows and show people that date after 1990--it actually sounds optimistic about the future of the Great White Way. --Jonathan Mandell, American Theatre You can't put this book down. It's a wonderful book. It's a book that lets young people know how (Black) theater began. --Leslie Uggams, Tony Award-winning actress The book is so valuable because we are reminded of our rich wonderful history as African-American theater artists. To have that documented is good for me as a theater practitioner, and certainly good for young people. --Sheldon Epps, director The book of all books. Recently, there has been a serious buzz about Black Broadway and it's all due to a new book called Black Broadway: African Americans on the Great White Way. As soon as I saw it, my eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. It's just as glorious as you might imagine. Order your copy of the book today. --Andrew Shade, BroadwayBlack.com A beautiful, 275-page, full-color coffee table book, Black Broadway juxtaposes the history of Black theater from the nineteenth century to today with the general history of African Americans . . . the book is a welcome addition to any library . . . Black Broadway is a great introduction to a broad range of people and plays, and it's hard to imagine a reader not being inspired to seek out the scripts, albums, and films of at least a few of the titles and performers mentioned. --TalkinBroadway The history of the participation of African Americans on the Broadway stage as actors, directors, producers, composers, and playwrights is presented in this handsomely illustrated volume . . . [author Stewart] Lane gives an impressive overview with rare production stills, playbills, and posters making his study an essential reference work . . . Of interest to students is the time line of African American history running at the bottom of each page and providing valuable social and cultural context . . . [t]his volume's superior presentation of visual theatrical elements make it essential for any theater collection. --Library Journal (starred review) For African Americans, the stage has held as much challenge, struggle, and triumph as other aspects of American life and culture. In this wonderfully illustrated and researched book, Tony Award-winning producer Lane chronicles the evolution of black theater from the 1700s to today. It is a history of finding creative expression in the midst of social constraints and massive cultural and political changes . . . [Black Broadway] details the efforts of black Americans to carve out a place for themselves . . . Lane profiles an assortment of black actors, composers, lyricists, and playwrights who brought the African American experience alive in the theater. --Booklist Filled with black-and-white and color photos and illustrations, this richly informative book by six-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Lane honors the legacy of determined African-American performers and ground-breaking productions . . . With photo stills and original theater-bill cover art, this is a wonderful, insightful history of black theater. --Publishers Weekly
Loaded with pictures, playbill reproductions, advertisements, and drawings, Black Broadway is a theatre-goer's delight . . . in addition to a rich narrative on equality for African Americans on Broadway (and off), author Stewart F. Lane includes a running timeline of national and world history to put the main body of this book into perspective. --TheBookwormSez (nationally syndicated book reviewer) This book is a must-have in every Black family's library, whether you are into Black theater or not. It is a tribute to the talent of our people. --The New York Amsterdam News [An] admirably researched and beautifully illustrated theatrical history both on the specific Broadway shows and on the great theatrical talents that best define the contributions that black performers and authors have made to the American theater. . . . an excellent volume . . . From first chapter to last, Lane's love for the theater shines through. . . . Black Broadway is a wonderful book. Its coffee table proportions allow it to be lushly illustrated with oversized historic photographs, and its heft indicates just how much history it contains, how many tales of the men and women who brought their genius to the center of the Broadway stage that the author, Stewart F. Lane, has to offer. --New York Journal of Books An insider's look at Broadway in a book filled with more than 300 photos. For anyone who loves Broadway, this book belongs in their library. This is great history from minstrel shows to vaudeville, from the jazz age to the golden age of the American musical. This is not just black history, but American history. --Alan Caruba, Bookviews ( Monthly Picks ) Read Black Broadway. A brisk, fascinating overview (with) hundreds of rare and revealing photographs. --Jesse Green, New York Magazine Uniquely illustrated with over 300 dynamic photographs (many of which have never been published to date), Black Broadway chronicles the journey of black theatre in America. Lane offers a detailed account from Minstrel Shows to Vaudeville, from the Jazz Age to the Golden Age of the American Musical, through the dramas inspired by the Civil Rights Movement to the present day Broadway. --Audrey Bernard, New York Beacon News Black Broadway provides an entertaining, poignant history of a Broadway of which few are aware. . . . This unique book offers a story well worth telling. --BroadwayWorld This is a book to have not only to read and enjoy, but this is a keeper. This is the kind of thing you keep in your home and go back to. It is a hugely important book that's terribly entertaining and I hope it becomes something that is even taught going forward. --Peter LeDonne, 970AM The Answer You've got to get this book. This is what it's all about. [Black Broadway] is an accomplishment, and to be in these pages is truly a high honor. Thank you, Stewart. --Ben Vereen This totemic, unusually comprehensive history of Black Broadway begins incredibly in the colonial times with the 'amazing' early Black countenances to the Suzan-Lori Parks' and August Wilsons of the contemporary stage and the recent all-Black versions of works by playwrights like Tennessee Williams. --Center on the Aisle Wonderful. You must get this book if you are a theatre lover. I am encouraging everyone looking to pick up something fabulous to read this, another perspective to theatre history . . . a fantastic, comprehensive book and a great introduction for anyone with an interest in theatre. A great book. Beautiful. Very cool. --Keith Price, SiriusXM Radio An informative . . . well focused . . . and beautifully illustrated book. The time is more than ripe for a chronicle of Black Broadway. --Linda Winer, Newsday An absolutely beautiful book! Thorough, interesting, the book does a really good job of reminding people of where we are and where we are headed. --WABC-TV I need to get that book! --Sade Baderinwa, Eyewitness News, WABC-TV If you want a great book . . . if you really love the theatre . . . get Stewart Lane's new book Black Broadway. . . . A great book by one of the great Broadway producers. Get it! Read it! . . . It's wonderful. --Mark Simone, WOR-AM Radio A beautifully designed and clearly written coffee-table book by Broadway producer and theatre owner Stewart F. Lane. . . . Black Broadway is one of few books about Broadway that not only spends quality time talking about Broadway shows and show people that date after 1990--it actually sounds optimistic about the future of the Great White Way. --Jonathan Mandell, American Theatre A fascinating cavalcade. Some 300 photographs, many-never-before-published, are lavished on this book in its celebration to the stage contributions of African-American playwrights, songwriters, directors and designers . . . the author is a thorough and exacting historian. --Harry Haun, Playbill You can't put this book down. It's a wonderful book. It's a book that lets young people know how (Black) theater began. --Leslie Uggams, Tony Award-winning actress The book is so valuable because we are reminded of our rich wonderful history as African-American theater artists. To have that documented is good for me as a theater practitioner, and certainly good for young people. --Sheldon Epps, director The book of all books. Recently, there has been a serious buzz about Black Broadway and it's all due to a new book called Black Broadway: African Americans on the Great White Way. As soon as I saw it, my eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. It's just as glorious as you might imagine. Order your copy of the book today. --Andrew Shade, BroadwayBlack.com A beautiful, 275-page, full-color coffee table book, Black Broadway juxtaposes the history of Black theater from the nineteenth century to today with the general history of African Americans . . . the book is a welcome addition to any library . . . Black Broadway is a great introduction to a broad range of people and plays, and it's hard to imagine a reader not being inspired to seek out the scripts, albums, and films of at least a few of the titles and performers mentioned. --TalkinBroadway The history of the participation of African Americans on the Broadway stage as actors, directors, producers, composers, and playwrights is presented in this handsomely illustrated volume . . . [author Stewart] Lane gives an impressive overview with rare production stills, playbills, and posters making his study an essential reference work . . . Of interest to students is the time line of African American history running at the bottom of each page and providing valuable social and cultural context . . . [t]his volume's superior presentation of visual theatrical elements make it essential for any theater collection. --Library Journal (starred review) For African Americans, the stage has held as much challenge, struggle, and triumph as other aspects of American life and culture. In this wonderfully illustrated and researched book, Tony Award-winning producer Lane chronicles the evolution of black theater from the 1700s to today. It is a history of finding creative expression in the midst of social constraints and massive cultural and political changes . . . [Black Broadway] details the efforts of black Americans to carve out a place for themselves . . . Lane profiles an assortment of black actors, composers, lyricists, and playwrights who brought the African American experience alive in the theater. --Booklist Filled with black-and-white and color photos and illustrations, this richly informative book by six-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer Lane honors the legacy of determined African-American performers and ground-breaking productions . . . With photo stills and original theater-bill cover art, this is a wonderful, insightful history of black theater. --Publishers Weekly
Author Information
Stewart F. Lane is a five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer for War Horse, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Two and Only, The Will Rogers Follies and La Cage Aux Folles. He has, also, produced shows in Dublin and London, which have been nominated for an Olivier. He is co-owner of the Palace Theatre on Broadway and, with partner Robert De Niro, he owns the Tribeca Grill.
