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Title details for Drama by John Lithgow - Available

Drama

An Actor's Education

by John Lithgow
John Lithgow
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Through the vivid stories in "Drama", John Lithgow shares a backstage history of his struggle, crisis, and discovery, and the scenes of his early life and career that took place before he became a nationally-known star. Above all, "Drama" is a tribute to the most important influence in John Lithgow's life: his father, Arthur Lithgow. An actor, director, producer, and great lover of Shakespeare, Arthur brought theatre to John's boyhood, where performance and storytelling were a constant and cherished part of family life. Lithgow brings the theatre worlds of New York and London to life as he relives his collaborations with renowned performers and directors including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv Ullmann, Meryl Streep, and Brian De Palma. Lithgow's ruminations on the nature of theatre, performance, and storytelling cut to the heart of why actors are driven to perform, and why people are driven to watch them do it. At once hilarious and reflective, "Drama" pulls back the curtain on the making of one of our most beloved actors.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Awards

  • Release date

    September 27, 2011

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780307969767
      • File size: 297084 KB
      • Duration: 10:18:55

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      John Lithgow's appealing and insightful memoir begins with an evocative tune that hints of the pleasures that lie ahead. The story of Lithgow's peripatetic childhood and early acting career is full of human interest, hard-won truths, laugh-out-loud asides, and just enough gossip to satisfy without being prurient. The author narrates with all the skill and charm that one expects of the talented actor, wielding his vocal tool kit beautifully. He offers helpful pacing that matches the action, a smile in his voice when the anecdote is funny and severity when it's painful, and enough differentiation in voices that conversations remain clear. He's also a pro with subtle tonal variation. There is not a flat note anywhere. A.C.S. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      July 11, 2011
      In this clever and heartfelt memoir, Lithgow, well-known for his role in the movie Terms of Endearment and TV's Third Rock from the Sun, tells of his life in the theater and the effect his father had on his formative years. Arthur Lithgow was himself an actor, director, teacher, and promoter of theater, and the family lived a vagabond life as the son became the proverbial new kid and "the good boy and not necessarily in a good way." As Lithgow writes, his talent propelled him to Harvard; he then studied at the London Academy of Dramatic Art and returned immersed in regional theater acting, designing and directing for his father. His father readily imparted words of wisdom early on, but as Lithgow grew up, his paternal guidance diminished. Their relationship was complicated: while Lithgow's Broadway career surged with a Tony Award, his father's career slid, which left Lithgow feeling guilty. With understated wit, Lithgow delivers insight into the difference between stage and screen acting and offers wonderful anecdotes of directors Brian De Palma and Terrence Malick.

    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from January 2, 2012
      In this audio edition of his memoir, Lithgow pays tribute to his father, John, an actor, director, and producer who introduced the famous actor to the theater as a young boy. With endless musings regarding his personal history, Lithgow weaves together a colorful portrait of life as an actor: the good times, the bad times, and why both were so important to the art of acting itself. Listening to Lithgow is as easy as watching him act. His delivery is seamless, his dedication to the performance unwavering. Not just a memoir but also a statement about the art of acting, this audiobook is an illuminating study of process and method. Listeners will find it hard to turn off. A Harper hardcover.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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