Overview

Through the vivid stories in Drama , John Lithgow shares a backstage history of his struggle, crisis, and discovery, and the scenes of his early life and career that took place before he became a nationally-known star. Above all, Drama is a tribute to the most important influence in John Lithgow's life: his father, Arthur Lithgow. An actor, director, producer, and great lover of Shakespeare, Arthur brought theatre to John's boyhood, where performance and storytelling were a constant and cherished part of family life. Lithgow brings the theatre worlds of New York and London to life as he relives his collaborations with renowned performers and directors including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv Ullmann, Meryl Streep, and Brian De Palma. Lithgow's ruminations on the nature of theatre, performance, and storytelling cut to the heart of why actors are driven to perform, and why people are driven to watch them do it. At once hilarious and reflective, Drama pulls back the curtain on the making of one of our most beloved actors.

Full Product Details

9780061734977

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Reviews

Drama is a cut above - touching, self-aware, and beautifully written. -- People

John Lithgow's memoir is both unflinching and irresistible. It captures the long, hard road to the stage for any actor, or for virtually anyone trying to make it in New York, and shows how putting all of your hopes into the one thing you love isn't so crazy after all. --Gay Talese

John Lithgow's memoir, Drama, reminded me that the world is indeed all a stage and that professionals have some great ideas about how to perform on it. --Drew Gilpin Faust, The Wall Street Journal

Drama is a cut above--touching, self-aware, and beautifully written. --People Drama recounts in graceful, considered prose a life that after a few wrong turns is now happier and more well adjusted than most. ---Charles McGrath, The New York Times A memoir as finely crafted as one of Lithgow's performances. Lithgow tells of transgressions, indiscretions, and a tabloid-worthy affair that my PR people could only have wished for. An exciting and revealing book, and what's more, it's about ACTING! --Steve Martin Anyone interested in an actor's life--especially backstage--will find this book enlightening. --USA Today John Lithgow's memoir is both unflinching and irresistible. It captures the long, hard road to the stage for any actor, or for virtually anyone trying to make it in New York, and shows how putting all of your hopes into the one thing you love isn't so crazy after all. --Gay Talese John Lithgow's memoir is more than an insider's view of his craft. The portrait of his father is as finely articulated as it is heartfelt, and the account of the young actor's struggles with his too-young, too-early first marriage is both moving and candid. I loved this book. --John Irving John Lithgow's memoir, Drama, reminded me that the world is indeed all a stage and that professionals have some great ideas about how to perform on it. --Drew Gilpin Faust, The Wall Street Journal Lithgow rises to the occasion with courageous honesty and fairness. . . . There's something breath-catchingly poignant in the simple, hard-won wisdom he imparts before taking his final bow: 'Acting is pretty great. But it isn't everything.' --The Los Angeles Times This book has all the drama we've come to expect from John Lithgow, the alternately dark, tender, romantic, dangerous, deranged actor we find in Drama, which is also a family tale of the richest variety. A great read. --Mary Karr Warm and generous. . . . Lithgow is relentlessly likable. . . . A brisk book, packed with funny stories. . . . A buoyant, heartwarming account of coming into one's own. --The New York Times Book Review

Author Information

John Lithgow is an award-winning actor, who has starred on stage, film and television. A New York Times bestselling author of eight books for children, he lives in New York and Los Angeles.

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