Drama: An Actor's Education - Softcover

Lithgow, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0061734985 ISBN 13: 9780061734984

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2012

Synopsis

In this riveting and surprising personal history, John Lithgow shares a backstage view of his own struggle, crisis, and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye and before he became a nationally known star. Above all, Lithgow's memoir is a tribute to his most important influence: his father, Arthur Lithgow, who, as an actor, director, producer, and great lover of Shakespeare, brought theater to John's boyhood. From bedtime stories to Arthur's illustrious productions, performance and storytelling were constant and cherished parts of family life. "Drama" tells of the Lithgows' countless moves between Arthur's gigs-John attended eight secondary schools before flourishing onstage at Harvard - and details with poignancy and sharp recollection the moments that introduced a budding young actor to the undeniable power of theater. Before Lithgow gained fame with the film "The World According to Garp" and the television show "3rd Rock from the Sun", his early years were full of scenes both hilarious and bittersweet. A shrewd acting performance saved him from duty in Vietnam. His involvement with a Broadway costar brought an end to his early first marriage. The theater worlds of New York and London come alive as Lithgow relives his collaborations with renowned performers and directors, including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv Ullmann, and Meryl Streep. His ruminations on the nature of theater, film acting, and storytelling cut to the heart of why actors are driven to perform, and why people are driven to watch them do it. Lithgow's memory is clear and his wit sharp, and much of the humor that runs throughout "Drama" comes at his own expense. But he also chronicles the harrowing moments of his past, reflecting with moving candor on friends made and lost, mistakes large and small, and the powerful love of a father who set him on the road to a life onstage. Illuminating, funny, affecting, and thoroughly engrossing, "Drama" raises the curtain on the making of one of our most beloved actors.

About this title

Product Description:

Presents a backstage view of the author's own struggle, crisis, and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye and before he became a nationally known star. In this title, he raises the curtain on the making of one of our most beloved actors.

Review:

"Anyone interested in an actor's life--especially backstage--will find this book enlightening." --"USA Today"

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0061734985
• ISBN 13: 9780061734984
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336