The Books All Theatre Fans Need To Read

Written by Jacqueline.

When not at the theatre, reading is one of my favourite hobbies. There’s just something so interesting about delving deeper into what goes on beyond whatever is happening onstage- insider information; theatre history; and even spooky stories. Here are a few of my recommendations for anybody who wants to delve into the world of theatrical books!

For the casual fans…

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Going to the Theatre (But Were Too Sloshed to Ask, Dear) by West End Producer

Long before unmasking himself in 2023, West End Producer released this handy guide for theatre attendees. This delightfully tongue-in-cheek book covers all aspects of a night at the theatre- deciding what to see; selecting a seat; beating the toilet queues at the interval and so much more. This lighthearted read is a fun time for any theatre fan, who will no doubt relate to many of the anecdotes and enjoy the witty commentary.

For those who love the gossip…

Song of Spider-Man: The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History by Glen Berger

Spider Man: Turn Off The Dark is one of the most infamous musicals of all time. With 182 preview performances, countless reports of cast and crew injuries, and a budget of over sixty million dollars, this show was sure to go down in history… one way or another. Glen Berger, co-book writer for the show, has told-all in this behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creation of the most expensive show ever to be performed on a Broadway stage. How did such a highly-anticipated spectacle go so badly wrong?

Read More: 6 More Books For Theatre Fans To Read!

For the history buffs…

Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution by Todd S. Purdum

It is hard to emphasise just how much the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein have influenced theatre as an art form. Through the duo’s music and lyricism, they pioneered the “serious musical play” and their use of songs as a storytelling device has formed the framework for modern musicals today. “Something Wonderful” is a beautiful dive into each of their shows including Oklahoma, The King and I and The Sound of Music- some of the greatest musicals ever written. This book is essential reading for any theatre fans who are keen to learn more about the history of the art form.

For the autobiography enthusiasts…

Unnaturally Green by Felicia Ricci

We all know of the memoirs of some of Broadway’s biggest names- Patti Lupone, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Julie Andrews and the likes. But what about someone a little less known? Felicia Ricci was freshly graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in English when she found herself joining the US tour of Wicked. She played Elphaba over forty times and faced countless challenges- the constant limbo of understudying, embracing her ‘inner greenness’ most importantly, how to overcome the “songs of death”. “Unnaturally Green” is a lighthearted and witty read, full of fun anecdotes and little snippets of trivia about Wicked and theatre as a whole.

For the fiction fanatics…

Murder at the Theatre Royal by Ada Moncrieff

The year is 1935 and tensions are running high as the Theatre Royal’s production of A Christmas Carol prepares to open. When the actor playing Scrooge dies of an apparent heart attack on opening night, it seems like a tragedy nobody could have prevented. That is, until more members of the production find themselves being picked off, one by one. Unlucky coincidence, or something more sinister? Full of twists and turns, “Murder at the Theatre Royale” will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

For the animal lovers...

Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars by Bill Berloni

Animal trainer Bill Berloni was just nineteen years old when he was tasked with finding and training a dog to appear in the original Broadway production of Annie. He took a chance on a local shelter dog, and in the decades since then Bill and his team have trained animals for hundreds of films, adverts and stage productions. “Broadway Tails” is a collection of stories of rescued animals who went on to work with some of theatre’s biggest names including Bernadette Peters, Sarah Jessica Parker and the New York City Ballet. From dogs and cats to pigs and rats, Berloni’s career is a fascinating and heartwarming read.

Happy reading!

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