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Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway
A definitive and extraordinary account of recent Broadway history—spanning from the debut of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Sunset Boulevard to Disney’s The Lion King—told by Broadway’s most respected (and feared) commentator Michael Riedel.
Singular Sensation portrays the people, money, and power that created the blockbuster shows and aesthetic spectacle that has dominated not only a couple of acres of real estate in the heart of Manhattan but has also captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world.
From the legendary jousting scene in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard to the ascendance of an unlikely musical by an unknown savant named Jonathan Larsen, who reimagined La Bohème as Rent and from standing room only crowds who stormed to see The Producers to The Lion King, Michael Riedel tracks it all so you can experience your favorite show from a whole new angle. Told with verve and passion and drawing upon more than 150 insider interviews, Riedel walks us through the Broadway we know and love today: an industry awash in big hits and bigger money, while also being an industry split between its adherence to old artforms and the allure of popular culture.
Singular Sensation portrays the people, money, and power that created the blockbuster shows and aesthetic spectacle that has dominated not only a couple of acres of real estate in the heart of Manhattan but has also captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world.
From the legendary jousting scene in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard to the ascendance of an unlikely musical by an unknown savant named Jonathan Larsen, who reimagined La Bohème as Rent and from standing room only crowds who stormed to see The Producers to The Lion King, Michael Riedel tracks it all so you can experience your favorite show from a whole new angle. Told with verve and passion and drawing upon more than 150 insider interviews, Riedel walks us through the Broadway we know and love today: an industry awash in big hits and bigger money, while also being an industry split between its adherence to old artforms and the allure of popular culture.
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First published November 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
December 28, 2020
This is theatre critic Michael Riedel's latest book discussing a handful of well-known 90s Broadway shows. It concludes with a brief conversation about how Broadway brought New York City together following 9/11.
I was really looking forward to reading this because I had heard such great things about his previous book, Razzle Dazzle, and I also really like Broadway. I've never been to a Broadway show myself (too expensive for my blood), but I love watching recordings and movie adaptations. I was also in a few plays and musicals as a teenager. Suffice it to say I have an interest in the topic, but I'm not diehard fan.
That fact established, let's talk about why, even though I like the topic, I found that this book didn't work for me. There are too many shows discussed and the transitions between the sections are essentially nonexistent. You'll be reading about one show, then that part abruptly ends, and you're diving straight into a new show. It read like he was given a page limit and tried to cram in as much as possible.
The most damning attribute, though, was the lack of storytelling or personality given to these stories. I don't know if the author thought these stories and their characters were so larger-than-life that he could just recite the sequence of events without any attempt at making his own voice heard, but Wikipedia has more pizazz than this.
I'm having so much trouble believing that a theatre critic wrote something this stiff. I did enjoy learning more about these shows (particularly Rent, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers), but the book made me want to do what so many people did in within the book itself: insist that something's not working and ask for a rewrite.
I was really looking forward to reading this because I had heard such great things about his previous book, Razzle Dazzle, and I also really like Broadway. I've never been to a Broadway show myself (too expensive for my blood), but I love watching recordings and movie adaptations. I was also in a few plays and musicals as a teenager. Suffice it to say I have an interest in the topic, but I'm not diehard fan.
That fact established, let's talk about why, even though I like the topic, I found that this book didn't work for me. There are too many shows discussed and the transitions between the sections are essentially nonexistent. You'll be reading about one show, then that part abruptly ends, and you're diving straight into a new show. It read like he was given a page limit and tried to cram in as much as possible.
The most damning attribute, though, was the lack of storytelling or personality given to these stories. I don't know if the author thought these stories and their characters were so larger-than-life that he could just recite the sequence of events without any attempt at making his own voice heard, but Wikipedia has more pizazz than this.
I'm having so much trouble believing that a theatre critic wrote something this stiff. I did enjoy learning more about these shows (particularly Rent, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers), but the book made me want to do what so many people did in within the book itself: insist that something's not working and ask for a rewrite.
January 18, 2022
My last trip to Broadway was in February 2020, a month before the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit North America. I’m glad I got to see a few productions before everything closed down. In earlier times, I would try to get to New York at least once a year and see as many shows as I could pack in – both on- and off-Broadway.
So reading Michael Riedel’s chatty, gossipy and very informative book about Broadway in the 1990s was comforting. It brought back much of the excitement of big, live theatre. The New York Post writer focuses on several shows that, in retrospect, defined the era, among them Rent (1996), revivals of Guys and Dolls (1992) and Chicago (1996), Angels in America (1991), The Lion King (1997) and The Producers (2001).
He also discusses the storied histories around shows like Sunset Boulevard (1993) and Ragtime (1996), which weren’t quite as era-defining but say something about the state of the art and business of the industry and its oversized personalities – actors, directors, producers, impresarios.
As a theatre critic and frequent theatre-goer, I’d heard bits and pieces of many of these stories. But it’s nice to have them all collected in a book – this is a sequel of sorts to Riedel’s Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway, which covered the 70s and 80s.
The author puts things in context. I’d forgot how run-down Times Square once was; in the early 80s, Rolling Stone magazine called 42nd St between 7th and 8th the “sleaziest block in America.” And it was quite moving to read how the theatre industry responded to the 9/11 attacks; just two days after September 11, many theatres reopened, and at the curtain call the casts sang “God Bless America.”
While it was fun to hear about certain controversies – Patti LuPone vs. Glenn Close over the role of Norma Desmond, the fact that producers wanted Matthew Broderick fired from The Producers almost up until opening night – it was fascinating to read about producers finding their niches, or writers like Edward Albee enjoying a comeback after being written off as a has-been.
And surely there’s no story as moving as that of Jonathan Larson’s sudden death days before Rent’s first performance.
I loved hearing about how shows – even moderately successful ones – were created, and how one or two things could make a production click into place. A couple of chapters are devoted to the rise and terrible fall of Garth Drabinsky – a figure we know a lot about here in Toronto.
I can’t wait to go back to Broadway, and when I do many of this book’s stories will be rattling around in my head.
So reading Michael Riedel’s chatty, gossipy and very informative book about Broadway in the 1990s was comforting. It brought back much of the excitement of big, live theatre. The New York Post writer focuses on several shows that, in retrospect, defined the era, among them Rent (1996), revivals of Guys and Dolls (1992) and Chicago (1996), Angels in America (1991), The Lion King (1997) and The Producers (2001).
He also discusses the storied histories around shows like Sunset Boulevard (1993) and Ragtime (1996), which weren’t quite as era-defining but say something about the state of the art and business of the industry and its oversized personalities – actors, directors, producers, impresarios.
As a theatre critic and frequent theatre-goer, I’d heard bits and pieces of many of these stories. But it’s nice to have them all collected in a book – this is a sequel of sorts to Riedel’s Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway, which covered the 70s and 80s.
The author puts things in context. I’d forgot how run-down Times Square once was; in the early 80s, Rolling Stone magazine called 42nd St between 7th and 8th the “sleaziest block in America.” And it was quite moving to read how the theatre industry responded to the 9/11 attacks; just two days after September 11, many theatres reopened, and at the curtain call the casts sang “God Bless America.”
While it was fun to hear about certain controversies – Patti LuPone vs. Glenn Close over the role of Norma Desmond, the fact that producers wanted Matthew Broderick fired from The Producers almost up until opening night – it was fascinating to read about producers finding their niches, or writers like Edward Albee enjoying a comeback after being written off as a has-been.
And surely there’s no story as moving as that of Jonathan Larson’s sudden death days before Rent’s first performance.
I loved hearing about how shows – even moderately successful ones – were created, and how one or two things could make a production click into place. A couple of chapters are devoted to the rise and terrible fall of Garth Drabinsky – a figure we know a lot about here in Toronto.
I can’t wait to go back to Broadway, and when I do many of this book’s stories will be rattling around in my head.
December 10, 2020
I preferred the author’s “Razzle Dazzle” because it covered Broadway history and I learned more. This book explores Broadway in the 1990s, up until 9/11, and I was more familiar with the subject. Still, it was a pleasant nostalgia tour and I enjoyed reading about plays I had seen and defunct restaurants. Musicals attract tourists and tourism fuels Broadway. That’s a business model they may need to rethink under the current circumstances. Understandably, there is heavy emphasis on the development of musicals like Sunset Boulevard and Rent and less attention paid to plays, but a few plays are also discussed. I wasn’t all that interested in the financial shenanigans of certain producers, but I guess the author couldn’t really leave that out. If you like theater, this book is definitely worth your time.
August 19, 2020
Singular Sensation by Michael Riedel will be best appreciated by total theater nerds who can't get enough about the beloved subject. In the preface, he notes the current 2020 situation in which Broadway has been shut down since March and may not reopen until 2021. While theatergoers such as myself bemoan our being deprived of our favorite form of entertainment, that pales in comparison with the loss of livelihood, stalling of careers, enormous economic setbacks. artistic death and actual death of performers to the pandemic.
Still, this book unlike many on the subject extensively covers the roles of the producers, theater owners, behind the scenes dramas. Going deep into the creative process behind Broadway's hits of the 1990's and the personalities involved made for great reading, with admittedly a lot of skimming when the financial shenanigans got too intricate.
Hopefully life will allow us to meet once again in the theater.
Still, this book unlike many on the subject extensively covers the roles of the producers, theater owners, behind the scenes dramas. Going deep into the creative process behind Broadway's hits of the 1990's and the personalities involved made for great reading, with admittedly a lot of skimming when the financial shenanigans got too intricate.
Hopefully life will allow us to meet once again in the theater.
February 1, 2021
Clever and informational, inside stories of Broadway during the 1990's. If you love Broadway, there's no way you won't like this book, it's fun and entertaining.
April 24, 2021
Singular Sensation: the triumph of Broadway by Michael Riedel is a sequel to the 2015 bestseller Razzle Dazzle. Chronicling mainly the 1990s - a time of profound change on Broadway, this title does not have the historical scope of Razzle Dazzle, but is still an entertaining and informative read.
The creation of ground-breaking musicals such as Rent, Sunset Boulevard and The Producers are recounted, as is the comeback of plays on Broadway such as Angels in America and Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? But the mention of unpopular revivals of comedy plays by Neil Simon and musical flops such as Suessical, serves to remind the reader that not all shows performed on Broadway are necessarily huge hits, and public tastes do inevitably change with the passage of time.
The creation of ground-breaking musicals such as Rent, Sunset Boulevard and The Producers are recounted, as is the comeback of plays on Broadway such as Angels in America and Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? But the mention of unpopular revivals of comedy plays by Neil Simon and musical flops such as Suessical, serves to remind the reader that not all shows performed on Broadway are necessarily huge hits, and public tastes do inevitably change with the passage of time.
August 6, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster for allowing me early access to this sequel!
I love Broadway, I love gossip, I love the 'history' of Broadway. Michael Riedel is one of those names that I am familiar with. He along people like Frank Rich and Ben Brantley are what made Broadway Broadway famous outside of those who don't live in New York.
When I read his first book Razzle Dazzle, I was amazed on how much history was covered! Almost every show had a part in in it, along with the actors and the theaters themselves too! When it ended at the early 90's I thought, 'we have to have a sequel' , since there is so much that happened in the 90's leading up to 9/11.
SIngluar Sensation is a good book, a very good book if you are not internet savvy. I say this because one of the things that he brings up in the later chapters is the birth of internet chatter. He mentions a website called Talking Broadway / All About Chat where people can go and talk about Broadway shows and or have questions regarding things on Broadway...
Do you see where I am going with this? Let me be real: the internet is the worst enemy of this book. Razzle Dazzle worked well in Mr. Riedel's favor due to the fact that the internet did not exist during the birth of the Broadway musical. So all the information, the stories, gossip, and etc. were all hearsay or lost in various books that may or may not be read by the everyday person. So to have him go through and interview the people who were still alive and pour through history books for the inexperienced Broadway guru is a blessing.
Singular Sensation mentions the Sunset Boulevard fiasco. If you aren't heavy into Broadway lore or familiar with Patti LuPone or Andrew Lloyd Webber, then of course the story will come across absolutely scandalous. Probably enough for people to rate the book higher than my three star rating. For people who do know? Well, we got it from the internet.
It covers the birth of RENT and the death of it's creator/composer. ... Google it, all of the information is there. (Though, I admit, there is the fact that I had no idea how dirty they did Freddi Walker during her time in the show [publicity wise]. That was a bit shocking.)
It covers the influence of Disney. Google it, it's all there.
The best bit the book covered was Livenet/Garth Drabinsky fiasco. The guy who is famous to me for bringing us the ol 'Phantom by Phone: Call 872-2222!' and the hype for Toronto in the 90's. That is where most of the book's rating comes from. Being that I am friends with people who are associated or familiar with that time, seeing a good handle / scope of the rise and fall of that man was a treat. I feel sorry for the countless actors and the people he fooled. It makes me wonder what could have been if his company was handled more efficiently. Though, I don't know if we would have gotten Phantom. His want and strive to have the best in Toronto was addicting and it was one of those things of the past that would probably not happen or be if it were anybody else.
So. Where am I going with this review? The point is, this book was a nice sequel, but it felt too tame, too hindered by the internet, and frankly brought nothing really new to the table in terms of history and or insight to a 90's pre 9/11 world. I gave it three stars because it is a well written book, and it was the first time we had a chronological and in-depth look at the Livenet/Drabinsky fiasco.
Again. I'm a Broadway fan, but perhaps I'm a little too knowledgeable. Or maybe he just chose to not focus on the more interesting things. Who knows?
I love Broadway, I love gossip, I love the 'history' of Broadway. Michael Riedel is one of those names that I am familiar with. He along people like Frank Rich and Ben Brantley are what made Broadway Broadway famous outside of those who don't live in New York.
When I read his first book Razzle Dazzle, I was amazed on how much history was covered! Almost every show had a part in in it, along with the actors and the theaters themselves too! When it ended at the early 90's I thought, 'we have to have a sequel' , since there is so much that happened in the 90's leading up to 9/11.
SIngluar Sensation is a good book, a very good book if you are not internet savvy. I say this because one of the things that he brings up in the later chapters is the birth of internet chatter. He mentions a website called Talking Broadway / All About Chat where people can go and talk about Broadway shows and or have questions regarding things on Broadway...
Do you see where I am going with this? Let me be real: the internet is the worst enemy of this book. Razzle Dazzle worked well in Mr. Riedel's favor due to the fact that the internet did not exist during the birth of the Broadway musical. So all the information, the stories, gossip, and etc. were all hearsay or lost in various books that may or may not be read by the everyday person. So to have him go through and interview the people who were still alive and pour through history books for the inexperienced Broadway guru is a blessing.
Singular Sensation mentions the Sunset Boulevard fiasco. If you aren't heavy into Broadway lore or familiar with Patti LuPone or Andrew Lloyd Webber, then of course the story will come across absolutely scandalous. Probably enough for people to rate the book higher than my three star rating. For people who do know? Well, we got it from the internet.
It covers the birth of RENT and the death of it's creator/composer. ... Google it, all of the information is there. (Though, I admit, there is the fact that I had no idea how dirty they did Freddi Walker during her time in the show [publicity wise]. That was a bit shocking.)
It covers the influence of Disney. Google it, it's all there.
The best bit the book covered was Livenet/Garth Drabinsky fiasco. The guy who is famous to me for bringing us the ol 'Phantom by Phone: Call 872-2222!' and the hype for Toronto in the 90's. That is where most of the book's rating comes from. Being that I am friends with people who are associated or familiar with that time, seeing a good handle / scope of the rise and fall of that man was a treat. I feel sorry for the countless actors and the people he fooled. It makes me wonder what could have been if his company was handled more efficiently. Though, I don't know if we would have gotten Phantom. His want and strive to have the best in Toronto was addicting and it was one of those things of the past that would probably not happen or be if it were anybody else.
So. Where am I going with this review? The point is, this book was a nice sequel, but it felt too tame, too hindered by the internet, and frankly brought nothing really new to the table in terms of history and or insight to a 90's pre 9/11 world. I gave it three stars because it is a well written book, and it was the first time we had a chronological and in-depth look at the Livenet/Drabinsky fiasco.
Again. I'm a Broadway fan, but perhaps I'm a little too knowledgeable. Or maybe he just chose to not focus on the more interesting things. Who knows?
Read
June 22, 2021I was a kid in the 90s who became OBSESSED with live theatre!! OBSESSED!! and lucky I grew up with the golden age of blockbuster musicals that I was able to see in Toronto and in New York.
we would make a family day from my hometown of Orillia up to Toronto and see it all
I saw all the blockbusters: Les Miserables, Sunset Blvd., Joseph, Show Boat, Lion King, Ragtime, Tommy, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy for You , RENT! ( the most scandalous thing I ever saw as a pentecostal pastor's kid) Just all of them!! I was spoiled. Still am, lol, now that the world is open to me as an adult and I can travel far and wide to see shows and live in the city rather than having to wait for my parents to drive us in the van.
I was addicted to listening to the cast albums and buying the Tshirts and the programmes that had photos so I could revisit the moments again and again. This year has been the longest I have gone without theatre in my life. I miss it so greatly: the first tuning notes of the orchestra, the excitement of sitting with your programme waiting for the lights to dim. Magic. And a magic rooted in the imagination of my life as a kid. And a magic explored here through the decade or so that defined my love of theatre. Not only that, springboarded it.
But what makes it even more fascinating, is that Riedel peeks behind the flimsy curtain and exposes the Wizard of Oz: the egos, the misogyny, the bullying, the criminal cooking of books like something out of the Producers. As a kid the art was all spectacle and dreams. As an adult who works in a slightly different artistic world ( but one that has allowed me to see the behind the scenes of my other favourite medium: books), I appreciate the hindsight and retrospect. It's at once nostalgic and informative.
For Canadian theatre kids, you will especially be fascinated/appalled by the detailed rise and fall of our notorious Garth Drabinsky: whose greed and bullying not only undermined artists but left many unpaid in its wake.
we would make a family day from my hometown of Orillia up to Toronto and see it all
I saw all the blockbusters: Les Miserables, Sunset Blvd., Joseph, Show Boat, Lion King, Ragtime, Tommy, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy for You , RENT! ( the most scandalous thing I ever saw as a pentecostal pastor's kid) Just all of them!! I was spoiled. Still am, lol, now that the world is open to me as an adult and I can travel far and wide to see shows and live in the city rather than having to wait for my parents to drive us in the van.
I was addicted to listening to the cast albums and buying the Tshirts and the programmes that had photos so I could revisit the moments again and again. This year has been the longest I have gone without theatre in my life. I miss it so greatly: the first tuning notes of the orchestra, the excitement of sitting with your programme waiting for the lights to dim. Magic. And a magic rooted in the imagination of my life as a kid. And a magic explored here through the decade or so that defined my love of theatre. Not only that, springboarded it.
But what makes it even more fascinating, is that Riedel peeks behind the flimsy curtain and exposes the Wizard of Oz: the egos, the misogyny, the bullying, the criminal cooking of books like something out of the Producers. As a kid the art was all spectacle and dreams. As an adult who works in a slightly different artistic world ( but one that has allowed me to see the behind the scenes of my other favourite medium: books), I appreciate the hindsight and retrospect. It's at once nostalgic and informative.
For Canadian theatre kids, you will especially be fascinated/appalled by the detailed rise and fall of our notorious Garth Drabinsky: whose greed and bullying not only undermined artists but left many unpaid in its wake.
November 3, 2022
my friend bought this for me, and man — this thing was fun.
it covers broadway history from 1990-2001, highlighting the most popular shows (sunset boulevard, rent, the lion king, ragtime, the producers) and the behind-the-scenes drama. gossipy? definitely. enjoyable? definitely.
i think this book would probably only be fun if you’re someone who’s deeply invested in musical theater. sections of it read like wikipedia articles (which is still super fun for me, but probably not, i think, for a normal person. 😂)
also, it’s probably a good thing to read if you’re considering a career in theater. for me, it was a vivid reminder that it might be better to admire broadway from afar. *fp*
overall, if you’re able to skim over a heavy dose of language (probably 30+ f words, some s words, two c words), a good amount of sexual references, and way too many adults acting like spoiled children (and justifying it for the sake of artistry or being a diva), then this book is entertaining. 😄
it covers broadway history from 1990-2001, highlighting the most popular shows (sunset boulevard, rent, the lion king, ragtime, the producers) and the behind-the-scenes drama. gossipy? definitely. enjoyable? definitely.
i think this book would probably only be fun if you’re someone who’s deeply invested in musical theater. sections of it read like wikipedia articles (which is still super fun for me, but probably not, i think, for a normal person. 😂)
also, it’s probably a good thing to read if you’re considering a career in theater. for me, it was a vivid reminder that it might be better to admire broadway from afar. *fp*
overall, if you’re able to skim over a heavy dose of language (probably 30+ f words, some s words, two c words), a good amount of sexual references, and way too many adults acting like spoiled children (and justifying it for the sake of artistry or being a diva), then this book is entertaining. 😄
September 13, 2020
This fun, gossipy chronicle of Broadway and American musical theatre in the 90s will please any former theatre kid whose formative years were spent belting Rent lyrics with their friends at any given opportunity. As that former theatre kid, it was fascinating to hear the inside baseball about shows I have loved since childhood. Familiar and unfamiliar names alike come alive on the page. The writing is friendly and inviting, and feels just like having drinks with the author. I always read the acknowledgements in books, and this one solidified how deeply researched this book is, and the lengths the author went to to get as many sides to each story as possible. This book continues the trend of books by former journalists topping my 2020 favorites list.
Netgalley provided me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Netgalley provided me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2021
An extremely well-written and thoroughly entertaining look at the recent productions of Broadway.
Told with unapologetic honesty, it is relevant and relatable.
Told with unapologetic honesty, it is relevant and relatable.
May 31, 2021
3.5
This is hard to rate because the subject matter was SO interesting to me. I absolutely loved everything I learned. I could easily and happily read a thousand books like this. But the author himself kind of irritated me? He didn't actually insert himself into the book that much but I just got a lowkey bias from him that I didn't vibe with.
This is hard to rate because the subject matter was SO interesting to me. I absolutely loved everything I learned. I could easily and happily read a thousand books like this. But the author himself kind of irritated me? He didn't actually insert himself into the book that much but I just got a lowkey bias from him that I didn't vibe with.
November 2, 2020
I'm a huge musical lover and so I was excited for this look at the musicals behind the recent Broadway boom. Many of the musicals covered were some of my family's go-tos when I was growing up. While there were some fun stories, I wanted a bit more of an overarching thread in the discussion of this era; instead it just felt like a compilation of gossip and backstory. Definitely check it out if you enjoy musicals and behind-the-scenes tidbits.
3/5 stars
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
3/5 stars
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
November 13, 2020
Broadway theater buffs who enjoyed Michael Riedel's "Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway" will find much to love in SINGULAR SENSATION as he advances the history of the Great White Way into the 1990s and very early 2000s. SINGULAR SENSATION is an irresistible combination of scandal, history, gossip and diva behavior.
The 1990s brought profound changes to the Broadway stages and the Times Square area. The 1980s AIDS pandemic decimated Broadway with the deaths of talented people working on- and off-stage, and the Times Square area was overrun with porn theaters and prostitutes. Broadway came back with the refurbishment of long-derelict theaters and some new, more youthful offerings, like Rent. "Broadway is good at comebacks," writes Riedel. The '90s brought an abrupt end to the British invasion; Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" ran for more than two years without recouping its cost. But it was also the decade that brought theatergoers "Angels in America"; the innovative "The Lion King"; the 1996 revival of Bob Fosse's flop 1975 musical "Chicago"; and Edward Albee's surprisingly successful second act. And after the September 11, 2001, attacks closed down Broadway, there was yet another comeback, thanks to Mel Brooks's phenomenally successful musical "The Producers."
Riedel interviewed more than 100 people, so even familiar behind-the-scenes tales gain freshness through first-hand accounts. (The juiciest chapter is on "Sunset Boulevard" and Patti Lupone's account of being done wrong at every turn.) SINGULAR SENSATIONn is a sensational treat for theater fans. It's a vivacious overview of a turbulent decade that revitalized Broadway and energized theatergoers.
Theater columnist Michael Riedel's SINGULAR SENSATION offers a fascinating, gossipy and irresistible history of Broadway during the 1990s--a decade of great change and revitalization.
The 1990s brought profound changes to the Broadway stages and the Times Square area. The 1980s AIDS pandemic decimated Broadway with the deaths of talented people working on- and off-stage, and the Times Square area was overrun with porn theaters and prostitutes. Broadway came back with the refurbishment of long-derelict theaters and some new, more youthful offerings, like Rent. "Broadway is good at comebacks," writes Riedel. The '90s brought an abrupt end to the British invasion; Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" ran for more than two years without recouping its cost. But it was also the decade that brought theatergoers "Angels in America"; the innovative "The Lion King"; the 1996 revival of Bob Fosse's flop 1975 musical "Chicago"; and Edward Albee's surprisingly successful second act. And after the September 11, 2001, attacks closed down Broadway, there was yet another comeback, thanks to Mel Brooks's phenomenally successful musical "The Producers."
Riedel interviewed more than 100 people, so even familiar behind-the-scenes tales gain freshness through first-hand accounts. (The juiciest chapter is on "Sunset Boulevard" and Patti Lupone's account of being done wrong at every turn.) SINGULAR SENSATIONn is a sensational treat for theater fans. It's a vivacious overview of a turbulent decade that revitalized Broadway and energized theatergoers.
Theater columnist Michael Riedel's SINGULAR SENSATION offers a fascinating, gossipy and irresistible history of Broadway during the 1990s--a decade of great change and revitalization.
September 3, 2020
See this review on 1776books.net...
http://1776books.blogspot.com/2020/09...
In Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, journalist and theatre critic Michael Riedel takes readers into one of the most transformative decades in Broadway history -- the 1990s. In addition to British musicals like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera staying fan favorites, musicals like Rent, The Lion King, and The Producers made their wildly popular debuts.
But lest you think everything was covered in roses in the '90s, Riedel also takes us behind-the-scenes of Broadway's total flops, shocking downfalls, and bitter disputes. He also goes beyond the '90s to September 11, 2001, sharing how New York mayor Rudy Giuliani asked Broadway to reopen just two days later to allow people to come together and boost morale.
The weakness of The Truimph of Broadway? Many fans probably know some of these stories already. However, whether you know them or not, The Triumph of Broadway is still an enjoyable walk down memory lane.
MY RATING - 3.5
http://1776books.blogspot.com/2020/09...
In Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, journalist and theatre critic Michael Riedel takes readers into one of the most transformative decades in Broadway history -- the 1990s. In addition to British musicals like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera staying fan favorites, musicals like Rent, The Lion King, and The Producers made their wildly popular debuts.
But lest you think everything was covered in roses in the '90s, Riedel also takes us behind-the-scenes of Broadway's total flops, shocking downfalls, and bitter disputes. He also goes beyond the '90s to September 11, 2001, sharing how New York mayor Rudy Giuliani asked Broadway to reopen just two days later to allow people to come together and boost morale.
The weakness of The Truimph of Broadway? Many fans probably know some of these stories already. However, whether you know them or not, The Triumph of Broadway is still an enjoyable walk down memory lane.
MY RATING - 3.5
September 28, 2021
A great history of that time
The book is a great history of the 90’s on Broadway. It is filled with great insight and stories about what was happening behind the scenes. I have already cited it numerous times in my Introduction to Theatre class.
The book is a great history of the 90’s on Broadway. It is filled with great insight and stories about what was happening behind the scenes. I have already cited it numerous times in my Introduction to Theatre class.
January 13, 2022
Anyone who knows me is well aware that I have had a lifelong love affair with the Broadway musical. So it may surprise you to learn that, even though I live on Long Island, my trips to Broadway have, for the most part, been few and far between. Because I'm blind, traveling to the city by car was not possible. I used to be able to take the train (now physical disabilities make that impossible) but I really wasn't all that comfortable doing it because I have always had poor balance and I worried that I would fall into the tracks.
During the 1990's, however, i attended lots and lots of shows on Broadway. Sometimes, I went with my sister, brother-in-law and nieces; sometimes, I went with a group of blind friends who were enticed to go because of the availability of audio description which was relatively new at that time. I loved much of what I saw and, even when I didn't, I was thrilled to be at these performances.
Riedel's book focusses on that memorable decade and shows the reader just how transformative it was for Broadway.
As the 90's began, Broadway was in the midst of its own British invasion. Shows like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera dominated the scene. They were popular, but other shows were not faring as well. The days when the world embraced musical theater, and theater in general, appeared to be over. Pundits insisted that the theater was dying. But, as Riedel shows, they were dead wrong. By decade's end, peple were flocking to the theater and it again held a place of importance in American society.
This book tells the stories of the many productions that brought about such a monumental change: Rent, Chicago, Angels in America, The Lion King and many others. Even though I knew much of this, it made for delightful reading and brought back wonderful memories of a very special time.
Of course, not all of you need a twelve step program where Broadway musicals are concerned. So is this book worth your time? I may be the wrong person to ask, but I really think so. Even if you have absolutely no interest in theater (and I can't imagine how that is possible), you will be drawn in by the drama in these stories. I was horrified at just how cruel and selfish many of these so-called theater professionals can be, but it sure kept me reading. Riedel's tone is friendly and approachable and his inside knowledge of his subject, which came about because he was a very prominent theater critic at that time, is evident in every single chapter.
In his preface, Riedel says that when he chose the subtitle for this book, "the triumph of Broadway" he had no idea how ironic it would be. The pandemic forced Broadway to be shut down until very recently and it completely disrupted the lives of the thousands of people whose unbelievable dedication and hard work bring us these amazing shows. It is difficult to imagine how Broadway will survive, but, if past history is any indication, it will not simply survive, it will thrive. Some of the evidence you need to evaluate that conclusion appears in the pages of this amazing book.
During the 1990's, however, i attended lots and lots of shows on Broadway. Sometimes, I went with my sister, brother-in-law and nieces; sometimes, I went with a group of blind friends who were enticed to go because of the availability of audio description which was relatively new at that time. I loved much of what I saw and, even when I didn't, I was thrilled to be at these performances.
Riedel's book focusses on that memorable decade and shows the reader just how transformative it was for Broadway.
As the 90's began, Broadway was in the midst of its own British invasion. Shows like Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera dominated the scene. They were popular, but other shows were not faring as well. The days when the world embraced musical theater, and theater in general, appeared to be over. Pundits insisted that the theater was dying. But, as Riedel shows, they were dead wrong. By decade's end, peple were flocking to the theater and it again held a place of importance in American society.
This book tells the stories of the many productions that brought about such a monumental change: Rent, Chicago, Angels in America, The Lion King and many others. Even though I knew much of this, it made for delightful reading and brought back wonderful memories of a very special time.
Of course, not all of you need a twelve step program where Broadway musicals are concerned. So is this book worth your time? I may be the wrong person to ask, but I really think so. Even if you have absolutely no interest in theater (and I can't imagine how that is possible), you will be drawn in by the drama in these stories. I was horrified at just how cruel and selfish many of these so-called theater professionals can be, but it sure kept me reading. Riedel's tone is friendly and approachable and his inside knowledge of his subject, which came about because he was a very prominent theater critic at that time, is evident in every single chapter.
In his preface, Riedel says that when he chose the subtitle for this book, "the triumph of Broadway" he had no idea how ironic it would be. The pandemic forced Broadway to be shut down until very recently and it completely disrupted the lives of the thousands of people whose unbelievable dedication and hard work bring us these amazing shows. It is difficult to imagine how Broadway will survive, but, if past history is any indication, it will not simply survive, it will thrive. Some of the evidence you need to evaluate that conclusion appears in the pages of this amazing book.
December 5, 2020
3.5 Stars. Michael Riedel’s previous novel, Razzle Dazzle, explores the world of Broadway in the 1970s and 1980s, and this novel concentrates primarily on the Broadway world in the 1990s. Focusing on shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, and many more, Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway is a revealing behind-the-scenes look at an outstanding decade of Broadway.
I have only had the opportunity to see a couple Broadway musicals (along with some Off-Broadway shows), so I am no Broadway expert. Therefore, while I learned a lot from this book, there were also many shows discussed that I had not heard of/do not know much about. I think these chapters were a bit slower to get through simply based on my interest level. However, I was more engaged in chapters on Rent, Chicago, and The Lion King because of my interest in those particular shows. Riedel also focuses on a lot of behind-the-scenes information, but more so in regard to the production, finances, and writers than the storyline, choreography, or performers. Overall, it is a very informative read, and if you are familiar with many of the Broadway shows from the 1990s, you will enjoy learning more through this book.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press for a copy of this book!
I have only had the opportunity to see a couple Broadway musicals (along with some Off-Broadway shows), so I am no Broadway expert. Therefore, while I learned a lot from this book, there were also many shows discussed that I had not heard of/do not know much about. I think these chapters were a bit slower to get through simply based on my interest level. However, I was more engaged in chapters on Rent, Chicago, and The Lion King because of my interest in those particular shows. Riedel also focuses on a lot of behind-the-scenes information, but more so in regard to the production, finances, and writers than the storyline, choreography, or performers. Overall, it is a very informative read, and if you are familiar with many of the Broadway shows from the 1990s, you will enjoy learning more through this book.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press for a copy of this book!
August 27, 2021
This book was a walk down memory lane of my Broadway career...as an audience member. It was my mother who introduced me to the joys of theater but it was my partner Will who introduced me to the cultural wonderland that is New York and Broadway. I was fortunate to see many of the shows covered in this book and as a reader, got a behind the scenes look at the Great White Way. He covers part of the business side of Broadway and even here he builds the drama of the occasional conflicts. He builds up the tension as various shows approach their first live performances and the book becomes a page turner here . Even though I knew the story of Jonathan Larsen and his tragic death the night before RENT's first preview, I felt grief for the loss of this creative force. Though I have never seen THE LION KING, the author gave me goose bumps in his description of the shows first out of town preview and it's ultimate artistic and commercial triumph. He then talks about how September 11, 2001 affected Broadway and how 2 days later it was up and running again. He made me appreciate, once again, all the hard creative work that goes into building a show and how the creative team, actors and crew put in long hours not knowing if their show will be embraced. But when a show succeeds and gets a roaring standing O, the feeling is glorious for the audience and those on and behind the stage! Reidel helped me recapture the feeling of being in the audience knowing I had the privilege of experiencing great art!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2022
Riedel's book is loaded with entertaining and informative tidbits that span the last two decades of Broadway history. He dishes the dirt and spills the tea regularly. Some of the stories I knew; many I did not. One strength of the book is that he focuses on producers, as well as directors and performers. He exposes the cut throat element of the "entertainment" world. It's a little sad that some of the biggest names and success stories are also some of the most unlikeable people. One thing that I really found bothersome was Riedel's glee at shows that didn't succeed. For someone who earns his living based on the success of Broadway, he seems all too pleased at missteps on the part of those who bring these shows to life. But overall, his book is well-researched and he provides enough stories to keep a reader interested and involved. This is a perfect book for any lover of Broadway.
January 21, 2021
This was much more interesting than I expected it to be – a really great read, with a good balance of facts and figures – and gossip. It’s an often gripping account of the resurgence of Broadway after a few years in the doldrums with the advent of a whole raft of new productions, new producers, new theatres and a general new buzz in the 1990s. I loved all the behind-the-scenes portraits of how shows are conceived, developed, put on and marketed, and how so often success or failure remains completely unpredictable. I was so interested by the story of Rent that I even watched it online, a show that I doubt I would have gone to see in real life but which would have proved my loss. Its story is possibly one of the most interesting ones featured here. All in all, a must-read for lovers of Broadway, musicals, theatre and show-business – entertaining, insightful, generous and honest. Thoroughly enjoyable.
April 1, 2021
I listened to the audiobook of this while driving 28 hours cross-country from Arizona to Ohio and this was the PERFECT road trip audiobook for me, a theater kid who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s. If you were really into Broadway during this time a lot of this will probably be familiar but it was still an excellent nostalgia trip (Rent! Please don't question my teenage taste lol. Phantom! We went to Toronto to see it at the Pantages when I was a kid in Detroit. Ragtime and The Producers! Wore out my copies of the cast albums). As a musical fiend, it was also nice to hear some about the plays happening at the same time of which I was mostly unaware. There is a little bit too much of the financial maneuvers going on in the background to hold my interest but I understand why it was included. A really fun listen overall!
May 10, 2022
Rather an ironic title, as the phrase is from "A Chorus Line", which was mentioned in the book but was not one of the big hits during the time period on Broadway covered by the book, namely the late 1980's to the 2000's.
It tells how Times Square, formerly a sleazy part of New York City, would be transformed into a prosperous area where old theaters would be revived. It also mentions the politics of the producers, performers, financial people, and playwrights and how tastes changed in that era, how the audience went from being mostly New Yorkers to outsiders and tells the stories of some of the major people in the theater industry and how they wound up where they were. It tells how AIDS and the 9/11 attacks affected the industry and how Broadway was able to cope with those.
Basically a biography of an industry rather than of any particular people.
It tells how Times Square, formerly a sleazy part of New York City, would be transformed into a prosperous area where old theaters would be revived. It also mentions the politics of the producers, performers, financial people, and playwrights and how tastes changed in that era, how the audience went from being mostly New Yorkers to outsiders and tells the stories of some of the major people in the theater industry and how they wound up where they were. It tells how AIDS and the 9/11 attacks affected the industry and how Broadway was able to cope with those.
Basically a biography of an industry rather than of any particular people.
March 10, 2021
Immensely readable, bit of a page-turner if you like the subject. I knew quite a lot already, but still learned plenty that was new. It could have been twice the size and I'd still have found it riveting (I wish it were longer, actually—if only he could have gone into as much detail on shows merely mentioned, e.g. The Book of Mormon, as he did on shows warranting their own chapter(s), e.g. Ragtime).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
May 10, 2021
This book discussed the history of many of Broadway's biggest shows during the 90's and early 2000's, covering diverse elements of showbiz including the actors, writers, producers, financiers, theater owners, prop makers, critics, and publicists.
The business sounded very cutthroat, and a lot of the people involved legitimately seemed like they had mental issues. I think this must be a product of any industry where the gap between those who make it and those who don't is so large. Only a few shows can be successful a year, and the lucky people involved in hit productions make millions while the less fortunate masses spend their entire careers barely scraping by.
To me, the book was interesting but also kinda sad. I don't think I really liked looking behind the curtain.
The business sounded very cutthroat, and a lot of the people involved legitimately seemed like they had mental issues. I think this must be a product of any industry where the gap between those who make it and those who don't is so large. Only a few shows can be successful a year, and the lucky people involved in hit productions make millions while the less fortunate masses spend their entire careers barely scraping by.
To me, the book was interesting but also kinda sad. I don't think I really liked looking behind the curtain.
October 31, 2023
From the iconic Patti LuPone / Andrew Lloyd Webber Sunset Boulevard drama (which demands its own Ryan Murphy miniseries) up to the closing of The Producers, this book covered pretty much every drama that unfolded on Broadway from the early 90s - 00s.
And therein lies the issue. This account tried to cover so much that each chapter offered a mere overview of a specific event, and didn’t really get to the meat and bones of anything.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely devoured this book, and even a huge musical theatre nerd like me learned a thing or two, but part of me just wanted more.
And therein lies the issue. This account tried to cover so much that each chapter offered a mere overview of a specific event, and didn’t really get to the meat and bones of anything.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely devoured this book, and even a huge musical theatre nerd like me learned a thing or two, but part of me just wanted more.
January 22, 2021
As an avid Broadway theater fan, I always read the author's reviews of new shows in the NY Post. I have seen a number of shows that he writes about in this book so it was so interesting to get the inside "scoop" on these shows. I was particularly interested in what he wrote about "Rent" and "The Producers."
Given that Broadway has been closed for almost a year, it was fun to immerse oneself into facts about previous shows. Let's hope that Broadway can reopen safely this year and in the meantime, read this book so that you can feel connected to our beloved Broadway.
Given that Broadway has been closed for almost a year, it was fun to immerse oneself into facts about previous shows. Let's hope that Broadway can reopen safely this year and in the meantime, read this book so that you can feel connected to our beloved Broadway.
February 26, 2021
I know Michael Riedel's reputation within the theater community, so I'm not sure how reliable all of the behind-the-scenes drama in this book really is. The tone of much of this book felt like a dishy gossip column. But damn if it wasn't readable! I had so much fun reading this, it was wildly entertaining, and while I took much of the dish with a grain of salt, it was very informative as well. Plus, the author's passion and enthusiasm for theater and theatermakers was evident from start to finish. I had a hoot reading it!
March 14, 2022
Excellent sequel to Riedel's Razzle Dazzle, this history takes the reader from the 1990s to pre-Hamilton Broadway with panache and packs lots of research into this sometimes gossipy deep dive into the business of producing a Broadway play including the less than savory practices. The author's experiences reviewing illuminates his prose with insight and love for the medium. Not too much fawning, some introspection, and excellent anecdotes from all the players from producers to creative teams to performers. Both books are must reads for Broadway fans or live theater lovers or someone looking for something after reading Jack Viertel’s The Secret Life of the American Musical.
February 27, 2025
It's a good book and has some interesting stories but I think i was looking for some more behind the scene stories from the technical production side of it. The book focuses more on the behind the scenes of the "money men" the guys who own the theaters or the producers. There are interesting stories like Patti Lupones hate for Andrew Lloyd Webber and the history of Rent being made. But this book might be written more for the theater nerds in your life.
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