John Kenrick

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John Kenrick

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Born
in Astoria, NY, The United States
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Member Since
February 2015

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John Kenrick combines a passion for entertainment history with the practical know-how earned working on stage productions at every level from amateur to Broadway. This Queens native pulls back the curtain and introduces audiences and students to the fascinating people behind show business legends. Every month, his website Musicals101.com introduces thousands of visitors to the history of stage and screen musicals. His book Musical Theatre: A History is used in colleges worldwide. He has appeared on PBS, Biography, the BBC, National Public Radio and the SyFy Channel, and currently teaches at the New School University and NYU, where one of his students recently evaluated his course by writing, “He didn’t just make me laugh – he made me care.”

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John Kenrick I avoid writer's block by always stopping my day's writing at a point where I still know (more or less) what the next few sentences will be. That way,…moreI avoid writer's block by always stopping my day's writing at a point where I still know (more or less) what the next few sentences will be. That way, when I return to writing the next day, I have somewhere to go.(less)
John Kenrick Write what you care most deeply about. I think musicals are a rich and fascinating subject -- I never tire of the subject.
Average rating: 3.83 · 157 ratings · 20 reviews · 41 distinct worksSimilar authors
Musical Theatre: A History

3.83 avg rating — 151 ratings — published 2008 — 15 editions
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The Complete Idiot's Guide ...

3.83 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2006 — 8 editions
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An essay on primaeval histo...

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Biblical Essays. 1. The Gos...

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“Collector’s Edition” Ancie...

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“Collector’s Edition” Roman...

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“Collector’s Edition” A bio...

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Ancient Egypt under the Pha...

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Phoenicia 1855 [Leather Bound]

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An introduction to Greek pr...

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History of the Wo...
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John’s Recent Updates

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The King is Dead, Long Live the King! by Martin Williams
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Delightful

Loved this! Puts the death and mourning for Edward VII in the context of his life and times, with sometimes surprising appearances by future icons of politics, literature, etc. Beautifully written, packed with fascinating details. Highly re
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Dropped Names by Frank Langella
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Fascinating celebrity dish

Instead of the standard autobiography, Langella gives a varied selection of his personal encounters with other celebrated figures. He pulls no punches, and I found some of his stories quite surprising. But every person and e
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Goddess by Anthony Summers
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Best of the Marilyn bios

Thoroughly researched and refreshingly readable, Summers details the many facets of Monroe's chaotic private life and all too brief career. The author covers Marilyn's often unreliable claims about herself, and offers exhausti
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Arthur Miller by John Lahr
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Concise and insightful

My favorite of the many (and usually far longer) books on Miller's life and career. Lahr who grew up and spent his life among theater people, brings his unique insight and eloquence to this examination of a great playwrights lif
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Lillian Lorraine by Nils Hanson
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An unfocused mess

This biography is all over the place. The author is more interested in telling us about his research and his mother's relationship to Lillian Lorraine than in providing a clearly written biography. Amateurish and often unfocused. Ver
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From the Back of the House by Dan Landon
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A treasure trove of theatrical memories

A longtime manager of Broadway theaters looks back on the shows, stars, creators and outrageous characters he worked with. Anyone with a passion for theater will identify with and delight in this entertaining an
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Neville Goddard - Become Master of Your Imagination by Neville Goddard
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More gold from Goddard

If you appreciate Goddard's teaching, you will enjoy this relatively brief but eloquent collection of his lectures. Warning, insights ahead.
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The Neville Goddard Deluxe Collection by Neville Goddard
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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
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Wonderful but so different

I first met these characters in the brilliant film version, then later in the British TV series. But the original novel goes not only deeper into the characters, but takes us into the students adult lives. If you loved the
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A Nervous Splendor by Frederic Morton
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Delightful but questionable

Morton does a fine job weaving together stories of famous and forgotten people who made Vienna so unique in 1888-89. This book is a beguiling tapestry that allows all the varied characters and events to give each other cont
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More of John's books…
25x33 Book to Musical Lovers — 6 members — last activity Nov 07, 2016 03:15PM
If you've ever wanted to delve into the stories behind you favorite broadway musical, then this is the book club for you! Think about some of the bigg ...more
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