A rollicking, non-stop theater adventure featuring a passionate, ...
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A rollicking, non-stop theater adventure featuring a passionate,superstitious,12-year-old heroine, whose boldness surprises her, her parents and her friends. The author's spot-on understanding of human nature, eye for detail, and wry sense humor add richness to this young adult novel.
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On the stage, this was a pageant of spectacle and low humor -just what Aristophanes would have wanted. Sondheim and Lane, in their effort to do the ancient playwright justice, may have shot themselves in the foot - but their show remains a fascinating rollercoaster ride through imagination, politics, and mythology. Sondheim provided a number of new songs, including the haunting "Ariadne" which is destined to become a classic. That song alone makes this the indispensable version of the show (as opposed to the concert cast with Lane, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Davis Gaines, which is wonderful, but a completely different animal). Unlike the previous concert recording, this is a real cast album -and it sounds like one. The cast is energetic and the orchestra brash and exciting. The score is bouncy and melodic -and wickedly funny.

As is typical of Aristophanes, the show is extremely political, with satirical jabs thrown at the Bush administration and its policies (though not by name). It asks the audience to demand more from its leaders while celebrating the power of art (especially drama). Those who would cry "leftist propaganda" simply don't know their theatrical history. The Frogs without leftist propaganda wouldn't be The Frogs at all!

Other reviews have mistakenly referred to the show's Broadway run being cut short. Just the opposite is true. It was scheduled for a limited season at Lincoln Center (not an open-ended run) and it was extended. Far from playing to empty houses, it was a hard-to-get ticket and a crowd pleaser. I had to fight to get in, but it was worth it.
4648658
David Hare's play unfolds in a single set with only two characters, but "The Breath of Life" is anything but simple.  Frances arrives at the seaside Victorian flat where Madeleine lives in the relative bliss of being single and accountable to no one.  Francis is a mother of grown children and a novelist who has all the responsibility that Madeleine eschews.  These women, while sharing little in common on the surface, have the enormous bond of having loved the same man, one as mistress and the other as wife, and of having lost him to a mysterious American woman.  With Francis planning on writing a memoir, Madeleine is at once on guard.  As the two circle each other warily, much about their lives and their philosophies simmer under the surface, occasionally bursting forth in small, meaningful gasps.

Hare imbues his play with intricate yet subtle emotions that make this play riveting to read.  His biting exploration of the difference between fiction and nonfiction, as it applies both to his characters and the audience, is never forced and always significant.  The real life of this play comes from the superb dialogue and the in-depth characterizations, making it an excellent showcase for actresses skilled enough to bring the nuances of character to the stage.

Originally staged in London starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, "The Breath of Life" must have wowed audiences, as I cannot imagine better casting.  If you can't see a production of this wonderful play, read it and imagine since even in text form it has tremendous life.
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Desdemona Quiggley is a free spirit determined to be mistress of her own fate. Together with two close female companions, she forms Lucy Lavender Enterprises. Unfortunately, the business falls into debt, and the ladies are in danger of losing everything they've worked so hard to gain. But Desdemona refuses to give up. In order to keep them all from debtor's prison, she conceives a wild plot to capture a highwayman in order to collect the large reward on his head.
Arriving at Yorkshire to visit his aunt, the Marquis of Daxonbury is knocked off his feet by a deadly accurate slingshot wielded by an irrepressible young female who has confused his noble person with a common footpad! Immediately caught in the delightful snare of the most fascinating woman he has ever met, Dax finds himself up to his ears in solving a villainous plot, the plucky Desdemona by his side, every step of the way. And to think Dax assumed his visit to dear old auntie's would be a dead bore!
This lively novel is full of wit and charm in the form of clever dialogue, quirky characters with sparkling personalities, and many hilariously outrageous situations. The hero and heroine are a wonderfully balanced match, both of them intelligent, stubborn, and dynamic with a shared sense of the ridiculous. If you like a book with lots of laughs along with warm affection and hot sexuality, you'll really enjoy this treasure!
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The readers closely follow Gerald's effortless guidance while taking in an explosive look into the fun-filled globetrotting world that five curious young men decide to undertake in thirty days. From roaming the City of Kings to Iguazu, visiting dungeons and seeing plants that double as deodorants, witnessing wild beast slaughters and meeting with African monks, the boys learn about what it means to be foreign, uninhibited and without a care in the world. The get together of five childhood playmates calls for drama as they explore strange territory, juggle their differences in personality while hitting up girls and having a good time. Gerald's nonchalant, peculiar observations take us on a ride that we will never forget. Reading his book, readers are whisked away into a land of much laughter, merriment and depth as he explores what it means to truly live and to navigate the world with your closest confidants.  If you're looking for a fun escape from the world, this book is a definite must buy!!!
1380979
A highly entertaining rollicking escapade. Full of funny moments, the film's strong cast (Tracy Morgan, Jessie Eisenberg, and Melissa Leo) really makes this a wild ride!
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Throughout literary history, women have disguised themselves as men. But in CAPTURING ANNIE the story is told of pirate's daughter, Anne Bonny, who was raised from infancy as a boy, with absolutely no knowledge of what it  means to be a woman. This makes for an exciting premise, well handled by  author Patricia Wynn.  The journey Anne takes to discovering her female  side, tutored by her captor, James Noble. is at once touching, realistic  and laugh-out-loud hilarious.  Her transformation from rough talking,  swaggering innocent to young woman, awaking not only to passion, but to the  limitations of her sex, evolves in unforced, believable stages. James  restrains his shock, impatience, amusement and arousal as he teaches her to  become a woman who needs to find a place outside of her life at sea.
The  last third of the book does not fare as well as the first two, partly  because the character of Annie naturally will not be as interesting as a  lady as she was as a pirate. The couple is also parted as Annie is put in  another's care. Time passes through the use of exposition and this reader  missed the fun dialogue that sparkled between the two in the beginning.  James is bogged down with an engagement to an unwanted, arranged marriage,  but is helpless and ineffectual in solving his dilemma. He appears  indecisive about his feelings for Annie. Leading to a less than satisfying  ending, barriers to their love eventually dissolve on their own, without  aid from either Annie or James. Our hero might have put to use a bit of  knowledge that seemed apparent to the reader.
This disclaimer aside, the  delightful interaction between the hero and heroine in the beginning make  CAPTURING ANNIE a recommended read. No where else will you find Patricia  Wynn's exploration of the sexes written is such a bright and easy style.
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The Sweet Trade flies open mid-action and the pace never flags for a second. It is fierce, fast, fun, unsettling and riveting, with a wild cast of intriguing characters and a sense of historic truth. In one aspect, the novel is a coming of age tale set in a fascinating era of nation-state conflicts at sea and the role pirates played in a war-related economy. Hard-driving, hard-striving main character Dirk sets the bar high in battle and in romantic endeavors, so naturally conflict abounds. On a deep level, the novel explores one man's battle to preserve decency, loyalty and his very humanity in a trade where both honor and dishonor are dangerous things. When an author does the work of vast research, meticulous character development and intricate plot weaving, the reader can simply enjoy the journey. The Sweet Trade is a delightful sail on fair winds and a following sea. Give me the sequel now.
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Showtime Television has more sophistication in building films than most commercial movie studios and nowhere is that fact more evident than in the 're-make' of THE LION IN WINTER.  Though some would say, "Why make another version of the 1968 Hepburn/O'Toole award winning movie", to those I would ask, "Why continue to reprise the the superb play by James Goldman in theaters around the country?" Simply, the play is just that good - an exciting mix of history as explored through the dysfunctional family syndrome tying it all together.
The photography of France (as viewed through Slovakia and Hungary settings) in the late 12th century is magnificent, both in exteriors ( Eleanor's entrance on the barge is as grand as Cleopatra's any day!) and in the dank and dark interiors that serve the plot so well.  Glenn Close is radiant and in pitch perfect form as Eleanor of Aquitane, the Queen of England to Henry II's King (Patrick Stewart is fine fettle) and  who has been imprisoned for 10 years for 'treason'.  The couple  has three sons and one must be named Henry's successor, but which one - Richard (historically to be known as The Lionhearted), the wily Jeffrey, or the buffoon but beloved of Henry,  John? (All three of these roles are in capable hands). Eleanor is released from her prison castle for a Christmas Celebration and the entire play takes place during these two stormy days.  The struggle of equally powerful wills of Eleanor and Henry are superimposed on the greed of the three sons, and made more pointed by the arrival of the King of France, Philip (played with complete credibility by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers).  Intrigue abounds, secrets long held are made known, and treachery is omnipresent.  But in the midst of this fascinating exposure of monarch history between France and England author Goldman has written dialogue so razor sharp that it suggests Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe": the duets between Eleanor and Henry, the trios and quartets among the brothers and parents, and especially moments like the revelation of the homoerotic relationship between Richard and King Philip are pure theater in the finest sense of the term.  This version of the play is 2 1/2 hours of intense and intensely entertaining bravura acting and direction.  It deserves to be seen , and to be in the libraries of collectors when it becomes available for purchase.
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A riveting, delightful & heady rush of love & lust weaved together beautifully by the author; the two characters complimenting each other in darkness and light. A feisty, grounded and magnetic woman inspiring a charming, fearless Millionaire playboy to love fully, with all strings attached. Its a classic, whimsical plot with thoroughly engrossing twists and climax. Generously laced with racy, erotic & passionate encounters, its unapologetically carnal. An ode to the Master planner and his great design, its as bare & intense as the adventure it chronicles. The authors unique style of writing interchanging 3 narratives fluidly and masterfully makes it a memorable read.
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Picaresque is a resoundingly welcome reminder that fantasy is not dead. Every character in this well-developed novel feels animated, articulate, playful, and alive. I couldn't help smiling and laughing along with their moods and antics as they plot, plan and stumble from one episode to the next in this rollicking on-the-road tale. Strange characters come and go: a group of thieves pose as a performance group, a wizard turns himself into a bear, a female elf has unexpectedly dark powers, an odd little girl has a strange secret. As in the traditional style of the picaresque genre, Reginald Jest is the lovable rogue: an antihero who bounces in and out of prison while pining over his employer, the acerbically beautiful Nina Chakya. The plot is finely crafted and perfectly paced, with the fight scenes injecting action with a dose of realism. Overall the book is a fusion of mystery, action and adventure, a thoroughly enjoyable read in which it is easy to lose oneself. Highly recommended to any fantasy reader.
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MARRYING JEZEBEL is filled with characters of depth and substance whose lives are lived as if every day is their last. Although the chemistry between Rafe and Jezebel burns a hole through the pages, there is much more to their relationship than physical attraction, and it is a treat to see how they bond emotionally and intellectually as well. The reader will also be captivated with the beautiful settings and vivid imagery Ms. Fields took such pains to create. A well-crafted adventure that sizzles with romance and passion, MARRYING JEZEBEL is entertainment at its best!
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The Stern Librarian saw this play on Broadway the same night as Iman--how beauty-packed the audience was that night.  Those poor History Boys to have to perform to those dual points of radiance!  I rarely read plays after seeing them performed, but I bought this volume on the way out of the theater.  First, to read Alan Bennett's introductory essay, which is a characteristically funny and brave bit of autobiography.  He reveals, among other things, the extent to which the actors created their own roles, the story of his own scholarship examinations, and his own brush with the type of historical detachment and journalistic flourish practiced by Irwin.  The second reason I bought the play was to spend more time with that outsize, brilliant Hector.  So many of his allusions went over my head during the play that I longed to savor them:  snatches of poetry from Hardy, Housman, Whitman, Shakespeare; campy bits from Now, Voyager and Brief Encounter; dancehall songs.  Hector's teaching that all knowledge is precious unless it is of any use will leave you wanting to be his lifelong pupil, if not a passenger on his motorcycle.  The Stern Librarian (I'm not afraid of Virginia Wolfe).
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The very first lines of the very first chapter hooked me in this amazing tale. Completely! How can someone die over a thousand times? I knew I was in for an exciting ride and was not disappointed. Ashley Barnard's Cast of Illusions was indeed a multi-layered illusion that just pulled you deeper and deeper into the story. From her biography page, we can see Ms. Barnard's love of theatre, and Cast of Illusions is drenched in it but not drowning with it to make the uninitiated bored with the theatrics. The characters jump out at you - a trait Ms. Barnard is known for - the plot twists and turns with surprises and revelations at every corner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, a fantasy-historical-fiction with a twist.
2159395
A rousing adventure story made credible by the sheer force of its characters' personalities and the sharply realized details of their funny wits. Imaginative ... dazzling, colorgul and utterly compelling. Splendid fun and has its magnetic appeal. Christopher Milner's is the best!
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This was a fun-filled romp through a theatrical afterlife, or as Guy the angel puts it, The Limelight District. While Allan pines for Warwick from afar, they both become involved in the theatre productions, where there is just as much jealousy, backstabbing and bitchiness as on the mortal plane.

The book is in first-person from Allan's point of view, so we only got to see Allan's opinions of the other characters. I wanted to be in some of the other character's heads for a while, especially Guy, the orphaned angel who was never taught how to fly, I really adored him.

I wouldn't necessarily say the characters were true to life, most were flamboyant and over the top, but maybe that's what a lot of theatre people are like and I just haven't met them. The world building is good, with lots of different districts from different eras of Earth history, but the characters wander about to the other ones at will. There were also some little mysteries to solve such as how Allan and Warwick died and who is trying to sabotage the plays.

The path to true love never did run smooth, but the author has made Allan's journey to not only find love, but to find himself a very engaging tale.

It's a fun little read, well over 70K words is not that little, but I got so engrossed in the story and the characters that the pages flew by.

Review copy from Bewitching Book Tours
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What a wild ride! Never has a book kept me so perched on the edge of my seat (when I wasn't falling to the floor laughing, that is). While a fan of Vigorito's style and previous books, this novel shows a mature evolution of his writing that will leave his fans in awe, new fans hungry for more, and will expand his readership far beyond the Tom Robbins, Chuck Palahniuk, and Christopher Moore fans.

The story really weaves two tales, a modern love-story turned devious caper to bring down an evil cult leader, and a swashbuckling pirate tale turned devout love story. The parallels become a swirl as the truth of the stories is revealed.

Don't skip reading this one. Or grab the audio book as the narrator really nails it and adds a whole new voice to this novel!