Off Stage

by Betty Comden

In this incandescent autobiographical collage, lyricist, playwright and performer Betty Comden takes an exuberant and rueful look back on a lifetime of celebrated triumphs and private sorrow. With her lifelong collaborator Adolph Green, she has achieved glorious success on stage in such musical milestones as On the Town, Wonderful Town and Bells Are Ringing and on screen in the unforgettable Singing in the Rain and The Band Wagon . But this very intimate memoir takes us behind her experiences in theatre and film to her childhood in Brooklyn, her determined exodus to Manhattan and Broadway, her courtship and marriage and the lessons she has learned as a wife and mother. Off Stage is, then, not only of special interest to theatre and movie buffs. It is also the poignant and inspirational story of a woman of many talents and interests who tried to have it all – and very nearly succeeded.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Theatre, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 1995

Reviews

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this as a fan of Singin in the Rain & On the Twentieth Century. Betty didn't write about her shows, but about her life outside the shows. While I was surprised this was the route she took, it was nice to learn about who she was as a person, what her life was like. It's hard for me to imagine being born in 1917 and what different experiences a person from that era would have had. I was born just a year before this book was penned, so the difference is vast. It was like a little time capsule of history, and especially now that she's gone, I'm glad I read it. Someone else to remember who story through her words.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the work of Betty Comden who, along with her professional partner, Adolph Green, gave us the lyrics to sound tracks such as "Singin' in the Rain" and Broadway musicals like "Bells Are Ringing" and "Wonderful Town." But if you expect to read about such things, pick a different book. This collection of essays deals with just about everything other than the author's amazing body of work. Don't let that stop you from reading it, however; it is well worth your attention.

This is a compendium of essays on a wide variety of themes: Betty Comden's childhood, friends she has cherished (both the famous and the not so famous), travel and family. I especially enjoyed the essay about Charlie Chaplin who was one of her closest friends. Her essays about her son, Alan, who died as a result of drug abuse, are striking and unforgettable. I applaud her for being so open and honest about this part of her life; I'm sure her words provided support to many a reader facing similar circumstances.

If you'd like to spend a few delightful hours with a warm and wonderful companion, you owe it to yourself to pick up this terrific collection.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I expected more from the book,along the lines on the chapter about friendship with Lauren Bacall,and more about her work and partnership with Adolph green.