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Behind The Mask...No More
A Lesson in Re-Invention in the Face of Adversity! Long before Byron Nease donned the mask to play the Phantom, he had learned to show the world one face while concealing another. On stage and off, his life has been about what it means to be a Leading Man. That role has meant constant re-invention, often in the face of adversity. An inspiring story of survival and personal, perpetual full-throttle re-invention, Nease’s life holds lessons and encouragement for all who tackle life's challenges. His were, casting off the childhood legacy of family dysfunction and abuse, pursuing the dream career through trials as well as triumphs, coming to terms with life, love and loss, caring for an aged loved one, and managing a long term illness through the pain, costs and fear. 'BEHIND THE MASK…No More' evokes the glamour, humor, and drama of Nease’s 25 years as a performer. His portrayal of the lover, Raoul, contrasted dramatically with his role of the Phantom. Hero vs. Monster. The grief, hope love and resilience in his life and the quest for love and meaning in which Nease seems to make him not so much a leading man, but every man.
180 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2008
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 16, 2009
Revealed
What a poignant and down-to-earth account of what goes on back stage in an actor’s life.
For those of us that watch musicals and movies everything seems glittery and wonderful, but we can never truly understand the work that it took to put such a production together or the struggles of the actors in a very unforgiving industry.
Byron Nease had to overcome a dysfunctional family, an “unacceptable” sexual orientation, and AIDS to make a life for himself on stage. Most will remember him in his role as The Phantom.
It is always intriguing to learn about what an actor carries behind the mask we see on stage or on television.
I found Nease’s account stirring and challenging to break down stereotypes and perceptions and realize there’s more to a person’s life than what you see on stage.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.
What a poignant and down-to-earth account of what goes on back stage in an actor’s life.
For those of us that watch musicals and movies everything seems glittery and wonderful, but we can never truly understand the work that it took to put such a production together or the struggles of the actors in a very unforgiving industry.
Byron Nease had to overcome a dysfunctional family, an “unacceptable” sexual orientation, and AIDS to make a life for himself on stage. Most will remember him in his role as The Phantom.
It is always intriguing to learn about what an actor carries behind the mask we see on stage or on television.
I found Nease’s account stirring and challenging to break down stereotypes and perceptions and realize there’s more to a person’s life than what you see on stage.
Thank you for sharing your life with us.
November 27, 2013
3.5 stars
Byron Nease shares his life from the early days of abuse and abandonment, through his Broadway days in New York and Toronto, past his many trips around the world, all with the never ending courage of a man who finds out he is HIV positive at a time when it is a death sentence. He is a survivor and an inspirational one.
I agreed to review this book because I love going to the theatre and Nease spent five years in Toronto in Phantom of the Opera and I wanted the scoop. What I found was the heartfelt story of his life told with heartbreaking honesty and vulnerability. There were stories about his days on Broadway, but the purpose of the book is to paint a picture of a life full of opportunity and hope.
The book is full of photos and family stories. I also really appreciated Nease’s description of how he reconciled the religion of his youth as a preacher’s son to the reality of his life as a gay man. He really is an interesting man and this book provides great insight into his over 20 year struggle with HIV and his strained family relationships due to his sexuality. I think this would be great book if you are interested in either of these topics.
I was a little disappointed in the Broadway part of the book only because it was such a small part. What stories he does tell are fun and I enjoyed hearing about the wardrobe malfunctions and the antics on stage that the audience is not aware of .
Byron Nease has led an interesting and truly inspirational life. I am glad that he let us see behind the mask. I’m better off for it.
Byron Nease shares his life from the early days of abuse and abandonment, through his Broadway days in New York and Toronto, past his many trips around the world, all with the never ending courage of a man who finds out he is HIV positive at a time when it is a death sentence. He is a survivor and an inspirational one.
I agreed to review this book because I love going to the theatre and Nease spent five years in Toronto in Phantom of the Opera and I wanted the scoop. What I found was the heartfelt story of his life told with heartbreaking honesty and vulnerability. There were stories about his days on Broadway, but the purpose of the book is to paint a picture of a life full of opportunity and hope.
The book is full of photos and family stories. I also really appreciated Nease’s description of how he reconciled the religion of his youth as a preacher’s son to the reality of his life as a gay man. He really is an interesting man and this book provides great insight into his over 20 year struggle with HIV and his strained family relationships due to his sexuality. I think this would be great book if you are interested in either of these topics.
I was a little disappointed in the Broadway part of the book only because it was such a small part. What stories he does tell are fun and I enjoyed hearing about the wardrobe malfunctions and the antics on stage that the audience is not aware of .
Byron Nease has led an interesting and truly inspirational life. I am glad that he let us see behind the mask. I’m better off for it.
July 21, 2009
Upfront confession #1: I'm a Phantom fan, and Byron Nease is my favorite Raoul (the romantic lead).
Upfront confession #2: I finished this book the same day that it arrived in the mail, and I had to spend some time absorbing what I had read before I could write a review.
"Behind the Mask ... No More" is not a chronological autobiography; it is a memoir with various matters grouped in thematic chapters. While some might find this format confusing, I found it easy to think of the chapters as essays with examples from Nease's life.
Nease pulls no punches about the difficulties he has endured. He writes honestly about growing up as a young gay man in a conservative Christian family where abuse was part of the dynamic (physical and emotional). The same applies to discussing the foibles of his theatrical career, his HIV diagnosis (and the medication side effects), and finally deciding to talk about his life.
Nease talks about all of these things in terms of masks he learned to wear long before he ever played Raoul, or the Yeston/Kopit Phantom (a role he refers to in the prologue as "going to the dark side). In deciding to stand bare-faced and bare-souled in his memoir, Nease shows how we all hide parts of ourselves from our loved ones that would be better off shared.
This is a book that I will be re-reading from time to time, to remind me of the importance of compassion and love.
Upfront confession #2: I finished this book the same day that it arrived in the mail, and I had to spend some time absorbing what I had read before I could write a review.
"Behind the Mask ... No More" is not a chronological autobiography; it is a memoir with various matters grouped in thematic chapters. While some might find this format confusing, I found it easy to think of the chapters as essays with examples from Nease's life.
Nease pulls no punches about the difficulties he has endured. He writes honestly about growing up as a young gay man in a conservative Christian family where abuse was part of the dynamic (physical and emotional). The same applies to discussing the foibles of his theatrical career, his HIV diagnosis (and the medication side effects), and finally deciding to talk about his life.
Nease talks about all of these things in terms of masks he learned to wear long before he ever played Raoul, or the Yeston/Kopit Phantom (a role he refers to in the prologue as "going to the dark side). In deciding to stand bare-faced and bare-souled in his memoir, Nease shows how we all hide parts of ourselves from our loved ones that would be better off shared.
This is a book that I will be re-reading from time to time, to remind me of the importance of compassion and love.
January 20, 2019
Byron Nease’s memoir is both tragic and uplifting at the same time.
Byron 'Bud' Nease was born into a family in turmoil and was whisked away from his minister father and his two sisters by his neurotic, actress/singer mother at a very young age to a life of abuse and confusion.
He spends most of his life explaining to his father that he is Christian and he is gay. Though his father is not happy with Bud's 'choice', he does not banish him from his life.
When Bud is diagnosed as HIV positive, his life and career are threatened due to the side effects of the many drugs he is taking. However, he proves that he is a survivor and he has his family’s and friend’s support through the difficulties he encounters.
As for Bud's professional life, he is a singer and actor who has many wonderful famous friends who support him in his happiest and his darkest moments.
I enjoyed Mr. Nease's revealin story for the notable strength and perseverance that he demonstrates for the many obstacles that he has had to overcome. The many photographs in his book are very telling and help the reader to visualize the people and places he loved so much. Though the book was written more like a diary, which some people may not like, I found it an enjoyable read.
Byron 'Bud' Nease was born into a family in turmoil and was whisked away from his minister father and his two sisters by his neurotic, actress/singer mother at a very young age to a life of abuse and confusion.
He spends most of his life explaining to his father that he is Christian and he is gay. Though his father is not happy with Bud's 'choice', he does not banish him from his life.
When Bud is diagnosed as HIV positive, his life and career are threatened due to the side effects of the many drugs he is taking. However, he proves that he is a survivor and he has his family’s and friend’s support through the difficulties he encounters.
As for Bud's professional life, he is a singer and actor who has many wonderful famous friends who support him in his happiest and his darkest moments.
I enjoyed Mr. Nease's revealin story for the notable strength and perseverance that he demonstrates for the many obstacles that he has had to overcome. The many photographs in his book are very telling and help the reader to visualize the people and places he loved so much. Though the book was written more like a diary, which some people may not like, I found it an enjoyable read.
April 12, 2009
What an intriguing read! Byron Nease is as talented a writer as he is performer. Phantom fans will love this book - lots of juicy behind the curtain details. Mr. Nease is very honest about his life and the obstacles he has over overcome. Would highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to be uplifted and encouraged.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews