Lights On Broadway: A Theatrical Tour from A to Z by Harriet Ziefert
Posted by: Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan
Lynn: Cindy saw a review of Lights On Broadway: A Theatrical Tour from A to Z (Blue Apple, 2009) and we got excited about it but somehow it dropped off our radar until we saw it in the booth at Midwinter and got excited all over again. This eye-catching high-voltage picture book defines theater terms starting with A for Audition and going all the way to Z for Zing – the way your heart will feel when you experience the magic of theater. Each page is a colorful treat with bright cartoon-style illustrations, clear definitions and quotes from famous performers. There is a dearth of book on theater for young readers and this is a terrific choice for all ages. Break a leg!
Cindy: “L is for Lights.” This page gives an explanation of what lighting does to illuminate the actors and scenery, establish mood and time of day, and to focus the audience’s attention. Definitions of “lighting designer,” “follow spot,” and “gel” are included along with this quote from writer/director/producer David Belasco:
Lights are to drama what music is to the lyrics of a song. The greatest part of my success in the theatre I attribute to my feeling for colors, translated into effects of light.
This isn’t an alphabet book to teach the letters to young children, the format just gives structure to the dictionary of theater terms for an older audience. I showed this book to our theater director at school, who was excited about it. He plans to buy two additional copies so he can cut them apart and make a bulletin board display in the theater lobby with the bright pages. I’m keeping my copy intact so I can circulate it to our young actors. Bravo!
Thanks to The Art of Irreverence for hosting this week’s Nonfiction Monday blog round-up.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Too funny- I did a post on this book yesterday on my blog. I wish it had gotten more press- maybe we can change that- ha! It’s a terrific book.