Too Much Is Not Enough: A Memoir of Fumbling Toward Adulthood

by Andrew Rannells (Author, Narrator)

This edition cancelled by the publisher.


From the star of Broadway's The Book of Mormon and HBO's Girls, the heartfelt and hilarious coming-of-age memoir of a Midwestern boy surviving bad auditions, bad relationships, and some really bad highlights as he chases his Broadway dream in New York City

When Andrew Rannells arrived in New York City from Omaha in 1997, he, like many, saw the city as a chance to break free. To start over. To transform the fiercely ambitious but sexually confused teenager he saw in the mirror into the Broadway leading man of his dreams. In Too Much Is Not Enough, Rannells takes us on the journey of a twentysomething hungry to experience everything: new friends, wild nights, great art, standing ovations. And at the heart of his hunger lies a powerful drive to reconcile the boy he was and the man he might have been with the man he wants to be. As Rannells reveals how he merged these Andrews into the one who made his Broadway debut at 26, he also shares stories from his path to the Great White Way, from horrible auditions and behind-the-curtain romances to the exhilaration of landing his first gig in Hairspray and the heartbreaking death of his father at the height of his ascent. Along the way, Rannells learns that the past rejects blank slates; that the most painful, and perversely motivating, jobs are the ones you almost get; and that sometimes the most unforgettable nights are marked not by the hot clubs you danced at, but by the recap over diner food after. Filled with candor, humor, and honesty, Too Much Is Not Enough is an entertaining look at love, loss, and transformation, and the powerful forces that determine who we become.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, LGBT, Biography, Humor, Queer

8 pages, Audio CD

First published March 12, 2019

About the author

Andrew Rannells is an actor, singer, and performer best known for originating the role of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon and playing Elijah Krantz in HBO's Girls. A Tony and Drama Desk nominee and Grammy winner, he has also played Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, King George III in Hamilton, and Whizzer in Falsettos, and is currently starring in the 2018 Broadway revival of The Boys in The Band. On the small screen, he has appeared in Girls, The New Normal, and The Knick, the upcoming series The Romanoffs for Amazon, and Black Monday for Showtime. Rannells's film credits include Why Him?, The Intern, Bachelorette, and A Simple Favor. His writing has been published in the New York Times "Modern Love" column. Too Much Is Not Enough is his first book.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads (back from hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

4.5 stars

But here is something I discovered quickly about ambition and achieving your dreams: Once you taste it, you want more.

Andrew Rannells - star of The Book of Morman and Girls - writes an atypical memoir about his life and struggles in his pre-famous years.

In his memoir, he wanted to emphasize the struggles he went through because:

These missing years were messy and confusing and filled with questionable choices, and for a long time I was happy to omit them. But I realize now just how much happened during that period of my life - a time when I was excited, and terrified, on a daily basis about what the future held for me

We start with Rannells' childhood - a typical and idyllic time in Omaha, Nebraska.

He did try out and perform in just about every nearby theater - he always knew that he wanted to be a star. We hear about his successes and losses and how they all shaped his childhood.

He unapologetically covers every moment of his teenage years, from his coming out:

My family was mostly, what's the best way to say this? Not shocked. I knew all the words to Grease 2 by the time I was six.

To his first time:

So much pressure was put on this moment. I was supposed to love him, right? I was supposed to feel something, but I didn't. I felt shame and relief...I felt in control and out of control...

To leaving Omaha for college in New York:

I shut the door and locked it behind me. And then I cried. I cried like I had never cried in my life. This was my dream, moving to New York and starting my life as an adult, and it was horrible.

Along the way, we hear about the auditions and the plays he manages to snag.

Never a big part, but always something to keep him going - from small-time gigs to summer theater to even touring as part of Pokemon Live!.

I'm not proud to say this, but I will admit it, Pokemon Live! was the first time I experienced a blackout from drinking.

And, throughout all of this, Rannells keeps close to his premise - always talking about his plans and his goals, even when he felt like he would never reach them.

This plan had to work. Why wouldn't it? All my other plans had worked. Now I just had to wait.

Overall - I really enjoyed this one!

I loved the sheer enthusiasm and excitement intermingled with the realism of what it felt like to strike it out in his own.

He does go into quite a bit of detail regarding the plays (which I only knew about in passing) and I really appreciate that while he writes for the theater-audience, that he does not leave us non-theater-geeks on the wayside.

The author has a fabulous sense of humor and his tone was just right.

I loved all the tidbits of advice the author shared throughout the book - hilarious!!

If you walk into a theater and there is free wine, consider it a preemptive apology...

And, above all, I loved the author's connection to family. I emphasized so much with the author's experience - it felt so real and honest.

I had been so focused on creating my own life in New York that it hadn't occurred to me that my family's lives were all continuing without me.

I really think the author managed to capture a generation. This one was truly well-written and I'm so glad to have read it.

With thanks to the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Eyes on your own paper, folks!”

I’m not a girl that reads a ton of memoirs. Okay, more like any. But, that’s not to say I don’t have good intentions. In fact, I’ve been known to scoop up those I deem worthy on release day, only to watch them collect dust on my shelf (sorry Michelle Obama, Lena Dunham, Chelsea Handler and Stassi Schroeder). Not this time. There was something about a memoir penned by Andrew Rannells that felt too good to pass up.

I’m not familiar with Andrew’s Broadway work (which I have no doubt was spectacular), it’s a few of the other roles he’s taken on over the years that have left an impression instead. The actor first popped on the scene for me in a show called The New Normal that unfortunately only lasted one season. Next came Girls, which was a complete and utter obsession of mine from episode one. Hilarious, adorable and sarcastically blunt Elijah Krantz—played by Andrew—was a scene stealer. I have such love in my heart for the awkwardly comical coming of age series, I ended up bingeing it again in its entirety, for the umpteenth time, after finishing this book. I just couldn’t resist. And now, seeing Andrew in more recent roles—like A Simple Favor—feels almost like running into an old friend.

In his candid opener, Andrew mentions the vibe he was going for here was a conversation with friends over drinks. And you know what, he pulled it off. The sincerity of his words, combined with his often comical delivery, made it feel as if he was sitting beside me, chewing my ear off and trying to make me laugh between sips. Andrew digs much deeper than the typical highlights shared in a person's bio. He gives voice to the sobering experiences, heartbreaks and letdowns that came before the hard-earned opportunities and rewarding successes.

I fully expected Andrew's humor, but the inspiring nature of his words proved surprising. I’m all about a takeaway and there are quite a few here. The loudest for me being, never let someone else’s journey dictate or hinder your own. Comparison can be a momentum thief and even a killer of joy. A few times now I've caught myself refocusing with “eyes on your own paper”. So thanks for that Andrew. *wink*

Andrew Rannells' words to live by:
“It might look like people are ahead of you, be it in money, looks or opportunity, but here’s what—Eyes on your own paper, folks! Everyone has to do the work. People who just get handed opportunity without effort usually fuck it up and end up much lower than when they started. Your career is something that starts with the first step, not with a promotion or a movie or an award. It begins the minute you say you are going to do it. So make it all count.”

*Thank you to Crown Publishing for providing a copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Andy Rannells, you stole my heart!

Too much is Not Enough covers Andrew Rannells childhood in Omaha, Nebraska in the 1980s up to his first casting in a Broadway production in the early 2000s.

I didn’t know much about Rannells prior to reading this. I knew his name and some of the Broadway productions he starred in, but that was about it. After reading this, I felt like we were BFF!

I love Rannells’ voice. He writes with honesty (or at least made it sound like he was being honest) and incorporates a good bit of humor into his recollections. While he shares some of the dark times in his life, he also covers many of his small successes and moments of joy. He covers the good, the bad, and the ugly moments in life. He discusses his friendships, family, and relationships. He is open about awkward situations and uncomfortable sexual encounters. Additionally, he writes about his failed relationships and first loves, as well as friendships that defined him and helped him grow as a person. Ultimately, his desire to be cast in a Broadway production takes center stage (no pun intended)!

I loved reading about his relationship with his mother. I also appreciated reading about how he handled rejection. While at times he wanted to give up on his dream, he didn't give up and kept on auditioning, even when he didn't want to. I also loved many of the pop culture references he makes--How did I forget about Crossroads starring Britney Spears?!!

This is a humorous, honest, and heartfelt read that inspired me and made me smile.

A special thank you to Kathleen Quinlan from The Crown Publishing Group who provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[megs_bookrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL THE STARS FOR A STAR!

This was absolutely EVERYTHING a memoir should be!! Bravo!!



Andrew Rannaells grew up in Omaha, far from the glittering lights of Broadway, but he always felt he was meant for the stage. He felt a pull for a life outside of Nebraska and throwing caution to the wind, made that happen for himself.



This witty and candid memoir follows Rannells from his early days of community theater, through his first days in NYC, his attempt at college, friendships, turbulent relationships, successes and losses. Along the way you feel drawn in, like you are more of a friend than a reader.



I really enjoyed this. I giggled a lot, I shed a few tears, I learned some things, felt inspired and even a bit jealous at times. I mean, he had an apartment he designed to be just like Carrie Bradshaw's! How could I not be a wee bit jealous of that?



I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Andrew's work or even people just looking to read something about a boy, from Nebraska, taking on the world and against all odds, crushing it.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Crown Archetype, for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. I had so much fun with it and appreciate the opportunity!

[Larry H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I've always thought that Andrew Rannells was my spirit animal.

Seriously, when I first saw him perform in his Tony Award-nominated role in The Book of Mormon, I thought to myself, if I were younger, thinner, and more talented, I could totally be him. But since I'm none of those things, I've become a big fan, having seen him in both Book and Falsettos on Broadway, and watched him on television in both Girls and The New Normal. (He's also a really fun guest on the late night talk show circuit.)

Needless to say, when I was offered the chance to read an advance copy of his memoir, Too Much is Not Enough (the title comes from a lyric from the song "Fame"), I jumped at it. While I was expecting a humorous, heartfelt chronicle of how Rannells made it to Broadway and what it's like to be famous, this book was much more than the former, and didn't really touch on the latter.

This book isn't your typical celebrity memoir of brags and name-dropping. It's actually a more universal story about pursuing your dreams even when everything is telling you that you might want to reconsider. It's also a story about coming to terms with who you are and the need for self-acceptance, or at least getting to the point where you don't give a s--t about what people think. And at the same time, it's the story about navigating the challenges of familial relationships, and how to cope when your family is far away.

Of course, much of this book is Rannells' story about moving from Omaha to New York City in 1997 and enrolling in the theater program at Marymount Manhattan College, and how everything didn't quite turn out the way he thought it would. School wasn't the magical, inspirational classes he saw in Fame, he was living in squalor, and Broadway casting directors weren't quite welcoming him with open arms. (How was he even supposed to find them?)

You also get the story of his childhood, how he became interested in theater and his desire to be a star grew, his relationships with his family, and the always rocky road of coming to terms with his sexuality, and the dysfunctions which accompany finding your way out of the closet and into your first sexual encounters and romantic relationships. (Often the two are not mutually exclusive.)

Rannells tells his story in a witty, often-sarcastic, conversational style which I'm sure belies the anxiety, despair, and depression he felt as things were occurring. There are moments when Rannells recounted incidents which left him emotionally vulnerable, and I'll admit I choked up a time or two. He also sprinkles in a liberal dash of pop culture references which I absolutely loved, and at times he literally made me laugh out loud.

Discussing his fondness for certain color sashes with his altar boy outfit, he said, "Red was my favorite; that was for feast days of martyrs. I think it appealed to me on two levels: I've always loved a martyr story...and I love a classic pop of color. I was dramatic and stylish even as a fourth grader."

Other than being familiar with some of his work, I didn't know much about Rannells, so I really enjoyed learning about his early life. The book ends with his first big break on Broadway, five years before The Book of Mormon, so I found his story really relatable, more about dreams, disappointments, family, friendships, and the search for love and self-acceptance—not to mention wardrobe struggles, figuring out how to call out sick from your job when you have multiple auditions, and trying not to collapse from hunger when you have no money.

I devoured this book in a day. It was so terrific to read a celebrity memoir that was funny, self-deprecating (without trying too hard), and quite enjoyable, one that leaves you feeling like a bigger fan than you might have been when you started. I'll definitely appreciate his performances even more in the future, because I know how hard he worked to get where he is.

Crown Archetype provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Endearing, Honest and Laugh-out-Loud Funny. Mr. Rannells is the epitome of Hard work and Determination!

Admittedly, I don’t really watch TV, so Andrew Rannells is someone I’ve heard of, but only through the Broadway shows he’s been a part of. When I was offered the chance to read his memoir “Too Much is Not Enough” - I jumped at the chance. His voice is clear, he is honest and boy is he funny.

Andrew always had dreams of becoming a Broadway star - being from Omaha, Nebraska, he knew there was only one way to make that possible. Moving to New York. NEW YORK (as Carrie Bradshaw would say).

Starting at Marymount - living in a dorm that made him want to cry, Andrew kept a brave face and above all else he believed in himself. He survived New York with his best friend and the person who I would describe as of the greatest loves of his life Zusanna. Reading “Backstage” magazine, doing Community Theatre in the Berkshires, then starring in small plays, including Hedwig in Austin, and then doing Pokémon Live - Andrew worked it, all while trying to find love in New York as a Gay man and hang onto his family in Omaha. Not all sunshine and roses, and yet he persevered.. and finally hit it big time: Broadway and “Hairspray!” Proof that sometimes, hard work does pay off.

What surprised me most when reading “Too Much is Not Enough,” is simply how grounded and kind Mr. Rannells appears to be, given how successful he has become. Yes, he was a struggling actor, trying to make it on Broadway, but now he is a big star and yet I felt like Mr. Rannells was simply sitting down in a coffee shop across from me telling me his life story and making me laugh, right up until the very end. He is simply brilliant, funny and witty and his story me feel completely at ease. This is a memoir filled with sage advice, love for life and loads of heartbreak - it’s real life people and gosh is it good. I highly recommend it for those of you who like memoirs - it is a fascinating read!

A huge thank you to Kathleen Quinlan at The Crown Publishing Group for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on Goodreads on 3.10.10.
Will be published on Amazon and Twitter on 3.12.19.
Excerpt to be published on Instagram.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good example of how a memoir can end up being a really enjoyable read even if if you don't know much about the person prior to reading. Loved the use of humor in this one and the stories of what led him to getting his first big break on Broadway.

After graduating high school, Andrew Rannells left his hometown of Omaha and moved to New York City with dreams of having an acting career. In this book Andrew shares stories of getting involved with community theater as a kid, coming to terms with being gay in Middle America, and surviving in a city that is full of people with the exact same hopes and dreams of making it big in the acting world.

Andrew is just a really good storyteller. There's a nice balance of humor and heart throughout the book. He's an easy person to relate to as he shared his feelings of not having a clue at what he was doing most of the time and just kinda had to learn along the way. Your heart breaks when he goes into detail about the times he was taken advantage of by sexual predators. When he starts to experience some success, you can't help but feel happy for him. Overall, a good memoir and I would love reading another book in which he talks about his life after making it big.

I received a free advance copy from the publisher but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and endearing memoir of this Broadway star!

Andrew Rannells leaves Omaha in 1997 to head to New York City because he has big dreams. His sights are set on Broadway. We already know he makes it there, and this humorous, candid book takes us along on Rannells’ journey from his teenage years to Broadway and all the stops in between.

In his 20s when he hits NYC, Rannells takes advantage of all the bright lights, art, friends, and parties the city has to offer.

It’s no secret Rannells makes his Broadway dream come true at 26 years old, and he boldly shares the auditions along the way that didn’t go so well. He puts the not-so-perfect side out there to let the reader know it wasn’t easy to make it, but it was always worthwhile.

This book is SO funny without trying too hard. I loved the tone of Rannells’ narration, his connection to his family, his love for the city that never sleeps, and his growth in every aspect he explored with such honesty.

Too Much Is Not Enough is a quick and inspiring read, one that will leave a spring in your step and a song in your heart thanks to multi-talented Andrew Rannells.

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the memoir of Andrew Rannells, a Broadway and theater actor.

I do not like Broadway or theater and before this book I did not know who Andrew Rannells was.

However, I really like memoirs and so I accepted this ARC. With mixed success. (Which is not only a reference to the fact that this book was published quite a while ago, and I am only just now getting around to my ADVANCE READERS’ COPY.)

Recently I read some of Rannells’ writing in the New York Times’ Modern Love column, and I enjoyed it. He’s a good writer.

This, too, is well-written, even though it is very weird.

It begins with Rannells’ childhood and ends at the very cusp of his success. While this led to an illustration of many trials and tribulations and was very truthfully rendered, it was a very strange reading experience.

Because it meant that instead of behind the scenes looks at Girls and the Book of Mormon and Hairspray and all the other successes that have led us to hear (or other people to hear) Rannells’ name, we read a ton about community dinner theater. And terrible dorm rooms. And something called Pokémon Live.

(Speaking of which, reading the section in which Andrew Rannells assumes everyone else has the same Pokémon background knowledge as him - meaning none - and attempts to explain it is either a triumph or a circle of hell.)

The only time this is what I’m okay with in a celebrity memoir is in a case like Julie Andrews’, in which she divides her life up into two sections and writes one memoir about her childhood and another about her career.

And Julie Andrews can be an exception to every rule.

Bottom line: This was not at all what I expected, somehow, in spite of the fact that I had no expectations.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

!! NOW AVAILABLE !!

4.5 Stars

I haven’t seen Andrew Rannells performance in The Book of Mormon or anything else, for that matter, didn’t know who he was until I read this, or read about this, so when I was offered an advanced copy of his memoir Too Much is Not Enough I hesitated just long enough to find out a few minor details that made me curious enough to accept the offer, and I’m happy that I did.

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska – not exactly a small town in the middle of nowhere, but not exactly NYC, either. Rannells grew up in a loving family, who encouraged his love of the theatre while he was young, and who accepted his decision to pursue his love, and his dream of the theatre on Broadway. And as he grew older, they accepted his dreams of a life lived performing on Broadway, despite any concerns they may have had. I imagine for every person who grows up wanting that there are few who see that dream come true. But this memoir is less about his success than it is about the bumps in the road that he encountered on his way there, and how he managed to make it through the less than encouraging times. His coming-of-age story, finding his way in a city that can seem cold and impersonal, and a journey of coming to accept himself as he was, as well as another journey of navigating a way into the life he imagined for himself.

I loved the natural flow of this, the way he shared his personality as well as his story, occasionally a bit sarcastic humour, this felt more like a personal, one-on-one conversation, a sharing of himself, his bumps in his road along the way, his joys as well as some regrets. I loved that he shared his personal, unvarnished story, his truth, and I loved re-visiting the city through his eyes.

A very inspirational, entertaining and moving memoir.


Pub Date: 12 Mar 2019

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Crown Archetype

[j e w e l s · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Andrew Rannells! This is a heartfelt, touching and funny memoir!

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say I was a super fan of Mr. Rannells - I haven't seen any of the roles he's most known for, and have largely just enjoyed his appearances on late night TV (... and the PBS broadcast of his Broadway show, 'Falsettos'). That said, I have always found him personable and very funny, and these are exactly the qualities he brings to this short volume of memoirs. Any person who has ever contemplated working amidst the bright lights of Broadway (guilty!) will recognize and sympathize with these stories of a naïve boy from the heartland making his way to the Big City in order to make it! The only unfortunate thing is that he ends this with his Broadway debut in the chorus of 'Hairspray', but hopefully there will be, at the very least, a second volume covering his triumph in 'The Book of Mormon' and beyond.

PS I found it hilarious that he lost out on a role in the infamously awful Rosie O'Donnell produced flop 'Taboo' because she found him (quote) 'too masculine' for the role! If anyone has come within ten feet of Mr. Rannells, one knows how improbable that is!!

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Broadway junkie, I am a huge fan of Andrew Rannells; he has a natural charisma and acerbic sense of humour, which is always apparent on his hilarious late night talk show appearances and also in his latest memoir Too Much is Not Enough.

I would recommend listening to the audiobook because Rannells’ delivery is quite funny. He has many stories to tell, and the memoir comes alive especially in the sections where he is recounting his behind-the-scenes stage exploits.

[Megan Tosti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was it even remotely possible for me to fall more deeper in love with this man? Yes. Yes it was. Andy is BAE for life. 🥰

[Lorri Steinbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in prepub. Due out in March 2019. What started as an entertaining Modern Love column in the NYT has been expanded into a series of essays detailing Rannells' early years in New York. Rannells' charm is on ample display here. He has an important point to make that applies specifically to the entertainment industry but can really be applied to any profession: for every success you see, there have been accompanying disappointments and challenges. If you are a theater kid in need of a sage older brother, a gay kid who needs to know that somebody out there gets it, or a Broadway fan who wants to have the curtain pulled back on what a performer's life looks like, then you will love this memoir. I could have read another 10 chapters. Rannells' tone is perfect--chatty but honest when it comes to the "real stuff". Guaranteed that the audiobook and the press leading up to publication are going to kill.

[Thia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly delightful - if you are a fan of Andrew or of Broadway or frankly are just a Midwesterner curious of what life is like trying to succeed in the big city - pick this up when it comes out in March 2019!!!

I’ve been a fan of Andrew since hearing the Book of Mormon for the first time but I never knew much about where he was from or who he really was and now honestly, I feel like we’re friends. I know we’re not obviously but I feel like if I bumped into him somewhere I could say hi and ask about his mom.

This was great!

[Nev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I anticipated liking this book since I’ve always been entertained whenever I watched interviews with Andrew Rannells. When I tend to not enjoy celebrity memoirs, or feel let down by them, is when the author doesn’t really open up that much in their book. Of course people are entitled to their privacy, but if you’re writing a book about your life then I’m gonna want the gory details. I feel like Andrew Rannells really delivered in that respect.

The book mainly covers his time in New York City struggling and trying to find work for years before finally getting the chance to debut on Broadway. Showing his time trying to make it rather than just behind the scenes once he got big made for a lot of interesting stories. He also shared some very vulnerable stories about his childhood and time in high school. Particularly when it came to him being underage and getting into a manipulative relationship with a 40 year old man. Also, stories of inappropriate priests at his Catholic high school.

This book ended up having more depth than I initially thought it would. Of course there are just some super funny stories. But more often than not the humor is also paired with something introspective. A story about the ridiculousness of the show Pokemon Live is also a story about having to play a character that was a negative gay stereotype and how it made him vow to never have to take a job again that felt like he was contributing to harmful representation.

I hope he writes another book in the future. I really enjoyed the way he told his stories.

[Chloe Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally love Andrew Rannells so much. His writing was so fun to read and really kept me engaged in the story. I like the use of his humor and how he wrote the serious parts. I really liked hearing all of his thoughts and hearing how well thought out he is and how he thinks about things. I can’t wait to read his next book and I can’t believe he has not been nominated for a Tony yet.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put simply, this book was a delight and Andrew Rannells is a treasure.

As I said in one of my updates, I have played, “The Book of Mormon,” soundtrack on a loop more times than I’m comfortable admitting. Even before I saw the show last year, I would listen to the songs again and again. If you’ve never listened to it, at the very least, go on YouTube and find the clip of Rannells performing, “I Believe,” at the Tony Awards. He has a fantastic voice. On or around the same time as my discovery of his singing talent, the show, “Girls,” debuted on HBO. It wasn’t the best show. Often, I grew irritated with the four leads. Still, there were episodes of brilliance and there was Rannells. His character was a supporting one but he stole every scene he was in and I loved him.

So I was excited for this book but nervous. What if it was poorly written? What if it was shallow? I worried for nothing. It was sincere and heartfelt. I felt like I was sitting across from a friend who was telling me about his life.

It’s not a glitzy tell all, filled with name dropping and and no substance. Some parts are quite sad. Other parts made me laugh out loud. If you don’t know anything about Andrew Rannells, I think you would still enjoy this.

[Michele Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea who Andrew Rannells was before reading this. I am a pop culture ignoramus. I don't watch TV. I haven't seen a Broadway play. I mostly read, write and watch indie movies. But I plucked this book from the library after reading the reviews.

Well, I devoured it in two days. This is why I love memoir and nonfiction. These stories from the life of a boy from Omaha with big dreams allowed me to see life through someone else's eyes and mind. Seriously, (I swear it's true), I laughed. I cried. I felt hungry and desperate. Ashamed and judgemental.

I enjoyed all of his ups and downs in New York City. His story about his grandma is why I love memoir. I saw and felt what Andrew felt about his grandma. It was honest, loving and scary, yet funny, too.

This excerpt about his grandma made me laugh and gave a glimpse of her character:

"Josephine also taught me how to gossip in church and other public places. She really mastered the “talking shit through your teeth” thing. She would smile and smile, all while telling you about someone’s daughter who got knocked up or how fat someone had gotten. She could have been a ventriloquist. She was that good."

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I just love Andrew Rannells!! I first saw him performing in Falsettos a few years ago and it truly is impossible not to fall in love with him and his performance as Whizzer. Especially when he starts singing "You Gotta Die Sometime" in the hospital bed like omg actual waterworks. Then, I found a bootleg (sorry ://) of Book of Mormon when he played Elder Price and watched it more than once. So good!! When I found out he was writing this book I was hyyyyped. Obviously I had to read it! I was not at all disappointed. It was so funny, so moving, and weirdly I felt like I really did learn a lot, despite not leading a life similar to his. I really feel like this had Perks of Being a Wallflower (but make Charlie an actor and in his twenties in NYC) vibes and it was honestly so good!!!

[Jordana G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had I not already been in love with Andrew Rannells, this book would have received 3 stars. It wasn't bad by any means. It was interesting to get to know the younger Andrew, the Andrew struggling to make his way to Broadway and beyond. The problem wasn't the memoir, it was me. I only know Andrew Rannells as Elijah Krantz on HBO's Girls, and I kept finding myself searching for that character throughout the entire book. My bad. It is, after all, the reason why this memoir interested me in the first place. (I won it in a giveaway.) I would definitely recommend this to people with similar aspirations, or even completely different dreams but who still need a "Hey you can do this" push from someone who spent a long time struggling as well.

Also, he's almost 40?! Damn men and their anti-aging witchcraft.

[Kerry Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh! I want MORE! Please Mr. Rannells, please write another memoir that covers your Broadway career AND Girls AND The New Normal. I know you have so many good stories to tell about the next phase of your life!

I loved this memoir. I listened to it on audio, read by Andrew Rannells himself and honestly, that's the best way to enjoy it. His "reading" sounds like he is in the room with you telling you all these funny, relatable, and honest stories about his growing up in Omaha, his big move to New York, his struggle as an actor trying to make it to Broadway, his love for his friends and family, and some of his more interesting intimate relationships. I laughed out loud often. I cried once or twice. I enjoyed every second of it.

I was left wanting more.

[hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book easily read as fiction. It wasn't, it was just so dramatic. I am going to delve into each chapter and talk about things I liked and also add quotes because the lines in this book are utterly iconic. (P.S this book is a bit...smutty...so the quotes might be as well).
My Entrance: A very interesting chapter in this book, since Andrew dove nose first into already being in New York. Since the book is about his journey, it makes sense, but the chapter was still interesting and exciting even if all he was doing was moving into college and having mental breakdowns. "I cried like I had never cried in my life."
Be Loud: I know that in the actual pages of the book, Andrew says that the advice he got from his friend to just drop headshots of himself at theatres and wait to get auditions doesn't work. However, I still want to try. I mean, he got a rent audition! But he only got the audition because the director thought he was Asian. He's white. The opposite of Angel. " 'So you're not Asain?' 'No. Not Asian.'"
A new me for new york: Okay, hurting your moms feeling makes you feel terrible, and I get apologizing to her publicly in your book, but stop calling her Charlotte. Please. It gets confusing. Another point, I got why you were angry, you were a total theatre kid since you were born, but you just wanted to be the best, even if you were just in some weird Catholic ritual. "I'm sorry, Charlotte. I'm sorry for acting like such an ungrateful little dick."
The 40-year-old and the virgin: Around 16, when this story took place, was also when Andrew's life started reading like fiction. Something like this reads like fiction because it's so dramatic and horrible and, I wish, unrealistic. From the name of the title, it's easy to assume what happens in this chapter. There was intense manipulation and complete pain that I felt through Andrew. "Rather than being concerned that his forty-year-old boyfriend was having sex with a sixteen-year-old, his boyfriend was mad at me."
*Okay from now on I am just going to recap some of the chapters because there are a lot of chapters and most of them are just him trying to get on Broadway and then making out with someone*
It's Never the priest you want to kiss: I had heard about this story because it was in an interview, which actually told me about Andrew having a book. However, I did not know that the priest, who sexually assaulted Andrew twice, was doing it because Andrew was in a hard time with the forty-year-old (by the way, the fourty-year-old is never named). Andrew was in a tough place and went ot the priest for help. HE TRUSTED YOU. ANDREW TRUSTED YOU AND YOU DID THAT? " I walked away stunned. How could he do that? Right in the open. In a daze I walked through the quad. No one had seen it. How was that possible?"
Josephine: It hurt to read this chapter. It really did. Maybe all of the screenings of the notebook made me more sad about people dying from Alzheimer's, but reading about Andrew being hurt, it made me hurt. If you ignore the calls from your family because you're on a date and then it turns out your grandmother is dying, I would think that you were in a romantic drama. " 'Grandma,' I said, 'it's me.' She looked up at me and started to cry."
Imaginary Omaha Andy: I understood everything that Andrew was talking about. What if I didn't try to follow my dreams? What if I settled down? Who would that person be? Imaginary Omaha Andy is not someone I want to think about. He's a waste of talent, and I would miss Andrew Rannells, the New Yorker. "I wanted to be friends with Patti LuPone."
I don't want to catch 'em all: It's time for that wig that, happened, since Andrew now stars in Pokemon LIVE! Yes. The pokemon musical. This has become something of a meme in the Andy Ranny fan club of me and Cori. The overly gay sounding original character (which was the main reason Andrew didn't really want to do it) the WIG, the ice, everything really. "I was really struggling to get through this episode and not have some kind of aneurysm."
Our Good-Bye to Ron: In the 8-year span that this book takes place, both Andrews grandmother and father died. "NATALIE: Hey, Dad. It's Natalie. I got my period today."
The tallest man I ever loved: okay. OKAY. A LOT TO UNPACK. First, Andrew, you can't always look for someone taller than you you're six one! Calm down! Did someone that Andrew was interested in re-appear into his life? Yes. Was that man straight? Yes. Keyword: was. He did have a wife, but also apparently he had an awakening. Todd was this man. Todd, with Andrew thinking he was straight, took him to dinner to catch up. And he came out. Afterward, was Andrew confused? Very. Did they date for years after that? Yes. Was Todd 12 years older than him? Yes. This shocked me a lot while I was reading it, after the mock algebra regent. Cori noticed. "Somewhere in my spiral I came to the conclusion that maybe we had been on a date."
Hairspray, Wow!: To shorten a long chapter, Todd and Andrew auditioned for the same BROADWAY ensemble role in hairspray. Andrew got it. Todd, being kinda terrible, left him because he couldn't handle it. In the middle of the night. Just left Andrew with a voicemail and a cold bed. Todd came to Andrew's Broadway debut but didn't stay. He left right after the show. Todd said nothing to Andrew. "I had become one of the people on the street who knew where he was going."
That quote was also the last line of the book, since little Omaha Andy Ranny made it to Broadway.

[Carolyn Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you think Andrew Rannells is funny, and I do, this book was a lot of fun—and boy did I need fun after reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. 3.5 stars.

[Janne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unglaublich inspirierend und einfach toll.

[Catherine Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

every time he mentioned something I knew I felt like I was winning a prize. like yes I know pokemon love yes I know it’s karate, kid! but even though I knew that stuff there was so much I didn’t know :( it’s kinda crazy that abuse in the theater scene happens all the time and people kinda know about it but also nobody does anything about it/there are like no protections in place. glad he’s doing better now though!! one day I’ll see this guy perform for real but until then I have a boot of gutenberg I’ve been meaning to watch

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love him. Although I'm not an extremely successful gay Broadway star, still a lot I could relate to coming of age in the 90's. Fun read.

[Brett Benner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Rannells has more charm in charisma in one finger than most people have in total. So having completely been, well smitten after seeing him in “Book of Mormon”, I’ve followed his career closely since. I admit being surprised seeing he was releasing an autobiography thinking, ‘isn’t it a bit too soon for that?’ And after finishing I can’t say that opinion didn’t change. The early part of the book is standard fare for bios: growing up in a small town, yearning for more, which eventually brought him to New York. Listening in audio it’s akin to hearing your best friend talk about their personal exploits, but for me the appeal of him is his career on stage and later in television. But he has made the decision to focus on his life up to his first break on Broadway in the chorus of “Hairspray”. As a result much of the book becomes a recounting of intimate relationships where he discovers first love in some, and high toxicity in others as well as family life and time spent with new friends in the city.This was the part of the book that left me a bit bored and frustrated by his life minutiae which I’m sure has greater resonance for those people who are in his life and know these ancillary friends. he’s funny for sure, witty, and can rejoinder with the best of them. I just missed him reflecting on what the majority of people actually know him from.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of the author since I saw him on the Tony Awards performing a song from The Book of Mormon. I also adored every single episode of The New Normal. So this was the perfect birthday gift! I hope this is merely the first installment in a series of autobiographies since this only covers to his first Broadway show. Give me more!!