On Making Off: Misadventures Off-Off Broadway

I'm fortunate enough to have seen "The Expatriates," an amazing production by The Beggars Group, several years ago.  Randy Anderson, the founder of the group, wrote "On Making Off: Misadventures Off-Off Broadway," a memoir about his theatrical adventures in New York that led to the founding of The Beggars Group, the creation of "The Expatriates" and other plays by the group, and his various high and low points in theatre and his personal life.

Anderson's writing style is fresh and funny, and this is an excellent read for anyone who is thinking of moving to New York with the goal of taking the theatrical world by storm.  From the constant money woes, to the confrontations between strong, forceful artists, to the pain and loneliness of living in this city, Anderson captures many lessons that young actors should learn before moving here.  But he also shows the amazing heights that can be reached, if you dare to take chances.

And he does it all in a remarkably entertaining way.

When I moved to New York, the book I read that prepared me for the theatre scene was Charles Busch's "Whores of Lost Atlantis."  More recently, I added Seth Rudetsky's "Broadway Nights" to the list of books that performers should read before moving here.  "On Making Off" is definitely on that list as well.


"Whores of Lost Atlantis"



"Broadway Nights"



"On Making Off" Kindle



"On Making Off" paperback

Let Me Be Your Star

Ever since I got my Kindle, I've been one of those people who highlights particularly well-wrought turns of phrase, vibrant descriptions, or laugh-out-loud funny bits.

I think I highlighted a good quarter of Rachel Shukert's "Let Me Be Your Star," a reflection on her time writing recaps of episodes of "SMASH" for Vulture.  It's not a collection of the recaps, though she does offer you peeks, but a look at what brought her here.  Her love of theatre, her acting, her playwriting.  Sondheim.  How she came to be writing recaps.  Sondheim.  What she really thought of the show (she has a great Us vs. Them discussion in the book about what separates a Hollywood actor from a New York actor).  And a little Sondheim.

Mostly, it's a book about finding a place to belong.  A really, really hilarious book about finding a place to belong.  I caught myself laughing out loud a number of times.  You never know where Shukert is going to lead you with her stories, but the journey is the good part, so sit back and relax.

All this, and only $1.99.  What a bargain!


Purchase here.