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Journeys in the Night: Creating a New American Theatre with Circle in the Square: A Memoir
This is Theodore Mann's account of his own and the Circle's remarkable history. At times it's difficult to tell where the two diverge, so integral to the company has he been. From Thornton Wilder to Al Pacino, it seems as if every great actor and playwright of the past fifty years has had his or her best work at Circle. As befits a story about theatre, it is at times comic and at times tragic.
If you ever wondered how Off-Broadway ever came to be (and how it ever managed to survive), this is the tale to read.
DVD As a special bonus, An American Theatre Revolution includes a DVD of the 1977 CBS-TV Camera Three program “Twenty Five Years of Circle in the Square.” It features Dustin Hoffman, George C. Scott, Vanessa Redgrave, Colleen Dewhurst, James Earl Jones, and Mann himself talking about their experiences at the theatre and includes excerpts of such noted Circle in the Square productions as Death of a Salesman, Mourning Becomes Electra , and The Lady from the Sea .
If you ever wondered how Off-Broadway ever came to be (and how it ever managed to survive), this is the tale to read.
DVD As a special bonus, An American Theatre Revolution includes a DVD of the 1977 CBS-TV Camera Three program “Twenty Five Years of Circle in the Square.” It features Dustin Hoffman, George C. Scott, Vanessa Redgrave, Colleen Dewhurst, James Earl Jones, and Mann himself talking about their experiences at the theatre and includes excerpts of such noted Circle in the Square productions as Death of a Salesman, Mourning Becomes Electra , and The Lady from the Sea .
418 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 16, 2018
Having worked at Circle in the Square for a few years in the late 1980s as a staffer in the fundraising (development) department, this book took me down memory lane. I knew some of the stories, but I enjoyed hearing more of the details about Ted and Paul’s excellent adventures in advancing American theatre.
December 27, 2012
There are some who ply their trade in the theatre who write with an artistry that marks them out as writers as well as theatre makers (Simon Callow and Tony Sher to name but two). Theodore Mann is not in that league. His writings always feel laboured rather then alive, a list of things that have happened one after the other. However with the events he recounts, it doesn't matter.
I love memoirs on theatre and this one has more incident then most, as Circle in the Square goes from humble beginnings to Broadway powerhouse. The alumini who turn up include Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, Al Pacino and Kevin Kline. Anyone who is anyone in American theatre has crossed his path at some point.
As someone attempting to build up my own theatre company his story is inspiring, his mantra of doing work you love and surrounding yourself with the most talented people is something all who aspire to make theatre should do.
Whether he is a great artist is questionable, the book reads like he is a terrific manager of theatres and a safe pair of hands when it comes to directing. The same could probably be said about the writing, safe but never rises above it. But do we read memoirs for the quality of the writing, or for the quality of the life!
His most purple prose comes as so often when he talks about the other great love of his life, his wife. His lifetime companion, his chapter on her last days fighting illness are moving and touching. Life after her-some 15 years- is jotted down in a few pages, suggesting that his most passionate period of life, the memories he wished to elaborate took place with his beautiful companion next to him. Proof perhaps that love is really the greatest thing about human existence.
I love memoirs on theatre and this one has more incident then most, as Circle in the Square goes from humble beginnings to Broadway powerhouse. The alumini who turn up include Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, Al Pacino and Kevin Kline. Anyone who is anyone in American theatre has crossed his path at some point.
As someone attempting to build up my own theatre company his story is inspiring, his mantra of doing work you love and surrounding yourself with the most talented people is something all who aspire to make theatre should do.
Whether he is a great artist is questionable, the book reads like he is a terrific manager of theatres and a safe pair of hands when it comes to directing. The same could probably be said about the writing, safe but never rises above it. But do we read memoirs for the quality of the writing, or for the quality of the life!
His most purple prose comes as so often when he talks about the other great love of his life, his wife. His lifetime companion, his chapter on her last days fighting illness are moving and touching. Life after her-some 15 years- is jotted down in a few pages, suggesting that his most passionate period of life, the memories he wished to elaborate took place with his beautiful companion next to him. Proof perhaps that love is really the greatest thing about human existence.
April 7, 2012
Not only is this an intimate look at the life of a passionate and influential man, it is also an interesting look at how theatre developed in New York city. Full of unique anecdotes about some of the most famous names in theatre history, it is an easy read, and invaluable to anyone who'd like to know more about how off-broadway theatre developed.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews