3 comments about Raising a Star: The Parent's Guide to Helping Kids Break into Theater, Film, Television, or Music.

1. While most of us who are moms had childhood fantasies of growing up to be a movie star or supermodel, it seems that most young girls today (and many boys, as well) yearn to become a pop star. If your kid (like mine) is bound and determined to get into any form of show biz, you need this book. Not only is it packed with good, step-by-step advice, there is a light cautionary tone throughout. The author doesn't sugarcoat anything. You'll love the anecdotes about Nancy Carson's interactions with now famous people early in their careers, but Carson also offers up a few horror stories. You and your child will know exactly what you're getting into. I heard about this book because the co-author, Jacqueline Shannon, is an acquaintance. She told me that Carson, a top child/teen talent agent, won't take on anyone whose parents are pulling them through her office door. The child/teen needs to be doing the pulling. That is a very admirable business philosophy. We've all heard the tales about wicked "stage mothers"!



2. I was trying to help some neighborhood children break into the world of stardom, for they are the most talented kids I've spotted in a lifetime. A friend who knows of my interest in these youngsters' careers recommended I take a look at RAISING A STAR by Nancy Carson, as told to Jacqueline Shannon. For, she said, it is one thing to think, that baby is so adorable they should have him in TV commercials, and another to be a stage mother (or father, like the man who pushed little Macaulay Culkin into a career he didn't really want).
   
   If you're serious, and want to take the time, RAISING A STAR is the book for you. Learn valuable tips on how to find out about auditions, how to groom your children so they don't look overly "perfect," how to avoid the crushing disappointments that come along with a showbiz career, and most of all, how to let natural, if somewhat untrained, talent speak for itself like a microphone turned on and left on a podium unattended. Carson knows whereof she speaks, and her record speaks for itself. She's been discovering, promoting, pampering and revivifying child stars from the 1970s right through the modern period of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and EVERYBODY LOVES CHRIS.
   
   It seems like, no matter what the era, some things are basic. What happens, she asks, when your child (or, say, the neighbor child) is asked to "perform songs or make statements that don't reflect her own values?" Say your child was cast in a production of OLIVER, and yet you had raised him not to steal things from others, and yet there he was, playing a child thief in Fagin's ring while singing, "Consider Yourself (One of Us)." It's a dilemma not every handbook tells you, but Carson gives good sound advice, Or, "how do you make children understand their legal responsibilities in show business?" It's a tale that's been told a million times before, but as we all know, those of us who work with kids, sometimes they don't understand business, and they just want to have a milkshake and play with their X box, instead of fulfilling contractual obligations.
   
   Nancy Carson's known Britney Spears so long that she remembers when the extroverted subdeb used to perform big Broadway classics like "Tomorrow" and "Tonight." It took hard coaching from pop Svengalis to give her the "breathy" voice she developed during the Mickey Mouse Club years. She gives advice about how (and whether) to find a publicist for your child. Or the children across the alley in whom you've developed an avuncular interest in their careers. And she gives definitions of showbiz terms that seem basic, in a way, but kids don't know them. Like "ratings," which she defines as "A complex survey system that measures the popularity of TV shows." Good reading.



3. This book is an okay read---not a lot of helpful info---mostly stuff you probably already know about the biz. I would not trust the mailing lists for agents, agencies---double-check the info on the internet or other resources, especially to see if they accept unsolicited submissions. Geared toward acting, not that much regarding modeling/print ads.

No comments about Spalding Gray's America.

5 comments about The Portland Collection: Contra Dance Music in the Pacific Northwest.

1. After the "Fiddler's Fakebook" this is the tune collection to own. Hundreds of reels and jigs in clear notation with, usually, good chord suggestions. Little, if any, overlap with the tunes in the FF. Very durable spiral binding, sits easy on a stand or table. Includes many recently composed tunes including my favorite, Erik Sessions' "It Ain't the Heat, It's the Humidity." Many hours of playing pleasure, fast becoming a standard collection.



2. While the fiddler's fakebook has a greater quantity of songs, this particular collection has consistent quality of songs chosen. There are so many great tunes in here, jamming out would not be quite the same without it. My personal favorite is "Lady of the Lake". Yes, I know there are two of them... but they're both good! Go figure.



3. If you are looking to purchase a fiddle book, this is definitely the best one to buy. This book contains about 400 tunes and the quality of the tunes is fantastic. Every single tune in this book sounds great and can be ornamentated dozens of ways with plenty of room to make the tune your own. One of the best features of this book is the spiral binding. The binding is great because you don't have to constantly bend your book to get it to stay open on the stand. Another great feature is that the book is organized alphabetically so you can find your tune quickley during a jam. There is also an index which organizes the tunes by key and type which makes it really easy to come up with your own sets. There are even detailed notes on each song. Some of the notes even give suggestions on how to add some ornamentation to the tune.
   
   Overall, this book is great, but there are two things which are worth noting.
   -The pages are quite thin and could tear easily.
   -The book is very thick but it's only about 8.5 inches tall. This could make it difficult for people with weak eyesight to see some of the tunes.



4. This is a strong collection of tunes with both melodies and chords included so that an advanced novice guitar player could accompany and fill out the sound. Songs are included in both 4/4 and 6/8, so the rhythms and tunes overall are more diverse and interesting than just standard "old-timey" fiddle tunes. While the collection was compiled for contra dancing, they make for charming ensemble pieces that work well at a variety of tempos. I had a few played at my wedding with a mandolin, penny whistle and guitar, and we were all under the spell of love and good music!



5. A great source of tunes, I had heard about this book from a few friends. Add this to the Fiddlers Fakebook and you will have plenty to keep yourself busy.

3 comments about Four by Sondheim (A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum).

1. While I have all four of these books in Paperback and therefore have had no need to buy this book I have looked through this book and I think buying this one is a MUCH better idea than buying them seperately. This book includes pictures, Drawings by Al Hirschfield, Cut-Lyrics and more. All four of the shows are purely genius and provide you with laughter while provoking thoughts. This is a must for all Sondheim fans and musical fans and anyone interested in 4 great shows: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sunday in the Park With George,Sweeny Todd, and A Little Night Music.



2. This book is amazing. It has almost everything that you could want in a book like this. What does it include do you ask? WELL! It includes the scripts to A Funny Thing happened on the way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Tood, and Sunday in the Park With George. In addition to that it also has Original Hirschfeld drawings, Lyrics to cut songs and where they would go in the script, Costume Designs, Production Photos, Cast Lists from Original, Touring and Revival Casts, and also the discography for each of the shows. My only question... Where is volume two??? I would like to see the following shows put into a collaborative edition like this: Into the Woods, Assassins, Company and Follies. WOOO Amazing and entertaining. Recommend this to all musical lovers everywhere!



3. The scrips are just like what you would get if you cot just one. more than 600 pages of pure script. I love it!

5 comments about Laughs, Luck...and Lucy: How I Came to Create the Most Popular Sitcom of All Time (with "I LOVE LUCY's Lost Scenes" Audio CD).

1. I'd like to start with a clarification: this book is not a biography of Lucy, it is the creator's (Jess Oppenheimer) memoir. As such, there are many parts of the book that have nothing to do with Lucy, including episodes from Oppenheimer's childhood and young adult life.

   However, this is still a GREAT book! It is well-written and full of entertaining annecdotes. "Laughs, Luck, and Lucy" follows Oppenheimer's slow rise to the top in the Hollywood radio industry. He describes Lucille Ball's program, "My Favorite Husband," which became the basis for "I Love Lucy." The book also includes some behind the scenes information about the making of "I Love Lucy."

   The included audio cd is fun because it has clips from both "I Love Lucy" and "My Favorite Husband."

   If you are only interested in information specifically about Lucille Ball, this might not be the book for you (try her autobiography, "Love, Lucy"). However, if you (like me) are fascinated with everything surrounding "I Love Lucy" and the Hollywood entertainment industry of the 1940s and 1950s, this is a great read!




2. I THOUGHT THE BOOK WAS VERY INTERESTING AND INFORMTIVE! IT WAS HILARIOUS AND I JUST COULDNT PUT IT DOWN. IT ONLY TOOK ME THREE DAYS TO READ IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING HOW IT TOLD ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESS OPPENHEIMER AS WELL AS THE LIFE OF LUCILLE BALL AND OTHER CAST MEMBERS FROM THE SHOW I LOVE LUCY. I REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK AND I THINK EVERY I LOVE LUCY FAN SHOULD READ IT!!!



3. Out of print book came quickly and condition was very good, service was quick. I will be back.



4. This is an excellent informative book about the "I Love Lucy" show and a must have for any Lucy fan! The cd that is included is worth the price of the whole set alone. In the cd it includes hours of hilarious episodes from I Love Lucy and My Favorite Husband starring Lucille Ball, you will also receive lost scenes from the shows on the cd. I am not much of a reader but this book you just can't put down because it is so good and of course I love Lucy! The book doesn't look thick on the picture shown on Amazon but it is a nice thick paperback book and includes lots of wonderful pictures of the cast of I Love Lucy and fun information that you may have not of known about I love Lucy and how it became to be produced.



5. I loved this book! The entire time I listed to this book on cassette I felt I was hearing privileged information...yet Jess Oppenheimer shared his intellectual jewels freely as if they were common everyday thoughts. Well, for him, they were. What a genius. And what a witty, creative, generous, and responsible man! If he were alive I'd write him a fan letter.

5 comments about The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car.

1. I really enjoy the commentary offered by Steve Machett on Speedtv, so I purchased this book. Well done! The technology is what attracts me to F1 and Machett covers enough detail to entertain the F1 enthusiast, without going into boring details. Now Mr. Machett, can you write a book that explains how some F1 teams spend $100's of millions of dollars more than others, yet only achieve 1 to 2 seconds per lap advantage? Or, in the case of Super Aguri, the low budget team outperforms the factory Honda team! I'd like to get a behind the scenes look at this phenomenon.



2. Matchett is not the best storyteller with some contrived attempts at humor, characters from, "Three Men in a Boat" and a strange setting. He does a fantastic job - (and I do mean fantastic), at breaking F1 down to the level of the common man. As part of Speed TV's F1 team and Technical Editor of the UK's F1 Racing magazine, Steve is well informed and the book is good read for F1 fans and a must-read for those with a passing interest in the sport. As a matter of fact, all his books are a worth reading...



3. I loved this book, it has just enough technical information to keep you informed, but doesnt bore you. Steve has a way with keeping you involved in the story. I couldnt put this one down.



4. I actually read this book about 3 months ago but forgot to publish a review of it. I bought this book hoping that I'd get some detailed info regarding current F1 cars. Although the book covered many topics relating to the cars, it just didn't have the info I was looking for. I've been looking for something that will provide detailed info regarding the design and function of the various components on a modern F1 car. It's possible that the book I'm looking for hasn't been published yet. At any rate, this wasn't a bad read for an F1 fan.



5. Like others have mentioned before, this is an excellent book on all the key aspects of of design of a Modern day F1 car. It covers all the bases methodically, from engine design to suspension to chasis toaero, its all here and Steve's utter command of the subject shows thru. I found it to be a compelling read.
   
   The only complaint, if i can call it that is the narrative about the fictional friends gettign stranded at JFK airport etc...i found that i could easily skim over those parts carefully and not lose much info. The pictures are an afterthought and the book could have done with more diagrams etc. Again, the narration is good enuogh to mitigate the impact,however.
   
   If you have a reasonable understanding of F1, this is a must read to appreciate its beauty and all that goes into the sport and its cars.

5 comments about No Applause--Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous.

1. Well-researched and scholarly work, but written with a deft sense of humor. If you could only own a single volume about American Vaudeville, this is it.



2. A terrific book, incredibly comprehensive and very well researched. Written with a sly sense of humor, the intro and background is really complete and wonderful, and the middle section about the heyday and performers is great reading. The last quarter strays into a great deal of opinion from Trav's own finely-honed Vaudeville sensibility; but all the same, it is a fabulous book, absolutely big time. I really appreciated that Trav gave us a lot of reading about the acts and actual performing. (Many books and info sources don't - concentrating more on the Managers and the business end.) As another said, if you want a book about Vaudeville, this is the one.



3. Like the History Channel on TV -- Trav S. D. certainly brings the history of vaudeville to life in this book!! His knowledge and storytelling is akin to sitting in the parlor listening to tales of a bygone era from your grandfather or favorite wise old uncle who himself lived through it! He leaves you smiling, laughing and always wanting to hear and read more.
   
   If anything, the only thing found missing and lacking was in regards to what Trav calls "The New Vaudeville." Back in the early `70s was a bloke by the name of Roy Radin, who did his part in bringing vaudeville shows back to the masses. In Roy Radin's Vaudeville Review, which toured the country appearing in auditoriums, college campuses, and virtually anywhere the venue could be set up -- Many thousands of people, yours truly included, had their chance to meet the likes of Milton Berle, Donald O'Connor, Georgie Jessel and other great stars of the illegitimate stage up close and personal. These vaudeville shows were a great success for the time they ran; although Radin himself as it turns out would end up a mostly forgotten about and very tragic figure in the history of entertainment.
   
   Hoping Trav could've given us some further background and more insight into Radin's touring follies would've made this whole vaudeville story that much better. Perhaps though, when and if the book comes out in paperback, he can/will go back and include some of these tales for us. Nevertheless...
   
   Final Analysis: Do throw money at this book and this author. You'll get more bang for your bucks! And find yourself thoroughly entertained and greatly informed along the way!



4. From 1881 to 1932 vaudeville was the center of American show business, and modern-day vaudevillian Trav S.D. details its history and impact from early to modern times in a survey which traces the big names of vaudeville and the attraction and representation of its shows. Vaudeville was the first major American equal opportunity employer, and it allowed even immigrants easy access to American culture: chapters trace major players, acts, and influences.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



5. In the last five years, three unrelated books, the subject book, together with Seriously Funny by Gerard Nachman and Comedy at the Edge by Richard Zoglin, have been published which, together, comprise the history of American comedy since the American Civil War. All of them have their merits, but No Applause - Just Throw Money (NAJTM) is the best of them.
   
   It is not just that vaudeville is broader than comedy alone and the vaudeville era was a lot more interesting in show business history than the periods that followed it. The other virtue to NAJTM is that, while the other books try to capture an age by induction - focusing on the lives of a handful of performers and drawing universal conclusions - NAJTM discusses the era and illustrates the author's points with references to individual performers. The result is that the uniqueness of each act, its independence and individuality is honored.
   
   And unique and independent and individualistic they were! What a wonderful collection of oddballs, tyrants and crackpots and what a talented, original and creative bunch as well. As one surveys modern entertainment - the intellectual wasteland that comprises theater, television and, especially, American cinema today, one longs to slip into the Palace for just one day to see this bunch walk the boards one more time.

5 comments about Lucy & Desi: The Real Life Scrapbook of America's Favorite TV Couple.

1. The scrapebook was execellent. I enjoyed every little thing about it. It was great of all the document that were in there. This is a great book.



2. If you are a Lucy Fan then you simply must buy this book! I just received mine and sat mesmorized by it, it is now my favorite Lucy item I have. I have an enormous collection of everything to do with Lucy or I LOVE LUCY you can imagine and this Scrapbook is so incredible.....it's honestly as if you are looking at the original scrapbook and you are even able to pull out inserts on several pages.....passport, letters, etc. I am not joking, if you are a collector of Lucy things and you do not have this Scrapbook then you are missing an incredible addition to your collection. The price is really great considering all you get. Words truly are not enough....I'll never ever get tired of looking at this!!!! Don't just think about buying it, buy it this minute!!!



3. When I received this book in the post I did not put it down for a least an hour. It was so thoughtfully put together and showed all of Desi and Lucy's fans just how much they loved and cared for each other thoughtout their lives.
   My most memorable areas are the little pieces written by the couple describing their thoughts and how they felt about each other. Lucy's words about Desi's death really struck me as although she had been married for 25 years she still felt his death hard.
   My daughter who is only aged 15 years also could not put it down and was especially interested in the reproductions of the important letters and documents.
   We both love it and it is certainly a must for the bookshelf of any Lucy and Desi fan.



4. This was purchased for my daughter who happens to be a huge Lucy fan. She thoroughly enjoyed it as it is chock full of reproduced letters, articles and other memorabilia. It makes a wonderful gift.



5. What a wonderful gift Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. have given to the fans of their parents. This book will warm your heart, make you smile, and bring tears to your eyes. It will make you feel like you snuck into Lucy's closet and found her scrapbook sitting on the shelf. I got goosebumps when I saw the enevelope written by Desi that said 'To my darling'. I almost felt like an intruder when I pulled out the Valentine for Lucy that was inside. There are photos, letters, clippings, and side notes, all beautifully assembled. This is a must have have for anyone who has ever loved Lucy, Desi, Vivian, and William.

5 comments about Musical Improv Comedy: Creating Songs in the Moment.

1. I teach Children's Comedy Theatre in North Hollywood. We have been doing improvised singing for a long time and I've always wanted a nice easy resource to use when teaching people how to create a song on the spot. This book is it. Not only is it VERY simple to follow and an excellent source of information, it also contains a CD that will be a fixture in my teaching for ages to come. If anyone has ever improvised a song, played music, or just wanted to be able to think quicker on their feet, this is the book for you.



2. I really couldn't recommend this book highly enough - Michael Pollock is one of those rare people whose genius at what he does is equalled by his genius at teaching it.
   
   As an Aussie improviser who has always loved musical improv (but only seen its application limited to the odd 'theatre-sports' style game) reading this book marked a real turning point for me. Not only did it open up my mind to the possibilities of musical improv, but it explained the nuts and bolts of how to do it in a clear and simple way. This book has laid the foundations of how to approach musical improvisation, while igniting my passion for it!
   
   The CD is brilliant too, bringing to life the examples in the book and allowing you to put your skills into practice right away.
   
   If you're at all interested in musical improv, don't even question it: just buy it now!
   
   Jenny Wynter, Australia



3. I found Michael Pollock's Musical Improv Comedy an excellent compilation of technique, theory, and practical exercises explained in a way that is easy to understand for those of us with no previous musical training. Pollock has that rare ability of being able to connect with both the advanced performer and the beginner -both will find his work valuable and relevant- especially with regard to understanding the craft of musical improv and applying the creative skills. The book's format is clear, well-structured, fun and easy to move through. Each chapter includes concrete examples and exercises for practice. The practice CD deserves special recognition, as it makes the learning process even more compelling and truly enjoyable.
   Under Michael's clear direction, you'll discover how exciting and stimulating the art of improvising a song can be. Allow yourself to have fun and get ready to sing along.
   
   



4. I did enjoy reading this book; the author has a nice style and covers a good range of information. There were several areas in the book where the author pointed to other books for further information that I was hoping would be included in this book, but it is a short and inexpensive introduction to musical improv. The CD really makes it worth getting. It not only demonstrates some of the concepts but also has plenty of tunes to use for practicing your own improv. Perfect for getting you started on musical improv, just realise that you probably will want to pull from other resources as well.



5. I was really excited to pick this book up and then became very less so when it arrived and I could see instantly that it wasn't going to hold much. The type is large and there are huge gaps between each paragraph. I was hoping that at least the few words would be worthwhile... but after finishing the book in less than an hour I didn't find much.
   
   What I got was talk about the different rhyming schemes in songs (ABCB, AABB, Etc.). The same type of stuff you pick up in fourth grade when the music teacher arrives once a week.
   
   There is so much to musical improv and as a teacher myself I was really looking to get another perspective on things. I would have covered everything in this book in the first half of the first class.
   
   I believe that you can (and should) learn something from every teacher you encounter. I would say that the most important thing I learned in this book was to keep the songs short (actually very good advice -- it keeps you out of trouble), but it seems that the author took it to heart a little too much.
   
   I do give credit (and all three of the stars) to the CD that it comes with. It's not ground breaking, but it is a good way to warm up when you don't have someone around to play for you.
   
   Improv is very subjective and it's not easy to teach in the written form -- so much of it has to be experienced, but I still think that there was a lot of information here that wasn't conveyed. I'd bet that if you took classes from the author you'd get a lot more. You don't get where he is in this business without knowing what you're doing -- writing about it is another thing.

No comments about Acting the Song: Performance Skills for the Musical Theatre.