Results by title
304 books match the query 'Entertainment & Performing Arts' and 8 start with n
Neil Jordan
Maria T. Pramaggiore
University of Illinois Press, 2007
Best known for his enormously successful independent film The Crying Game, Irish director Neil Jordan has made sixteen feature films since 1982. Even after achieving commercial success and critical acclaim with such films as Interview with the Vampire and The Butcher Boy, Jordan remains a curiously elusive figure in the era of the celebrity filmmaker. Maria Pramaggiore addresses this conundrum by examining Jordan's distinctive style across a surprisingly broad range of genres and production contexts, including horror and gangster films, Irish-themed movies, and Hollywood remakes.
Despite the striking diversity of Jordan's films, the director consistently returns to gothic themes of loss, violence, and madness. In her sophisticated examination of Mona Lisa,Michael Collins, and The Good Thief, Pramaggiore shows how Jordan presents these dark narratives with a uniquely Irish and postmodern sense of irony. This illuminating analysis of one of the cinema's most important artists will be of keen interest to movie enthusiasts as well as students and scholars of contemporary film.
Despite the striking diversity of Jordan's films, the director consistently returns to gothic themes of loss, violence, and madness. In her sophisticated examination of Mona Lisa,Michael Collins, and The Good Thief, Pramaggiore shows how Jordan presents these dark narratives with a uniquely Irish and postmodern sense of irony. This illuminating analysis of one of the cinema's most important artists will be of keen interest to movie enthusiasts as well as students and scholars of contemporary film.
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Neither God nor Master
Robert Bresson and Radical PoliticsBrian Price
University of Minnesota Press, 2010
The French auteur Robert Bresson, director of such classics as Diary of a Country Priest (1951), The Trial of Joan of Arc (1962), The Devil, Probably (1977), and L’Argent (1983), has long been thought of as a transcendental filmmaker preoccupied with questions of grace and predestination and little interested in the problems of the social world. This book is the first to view Bresson’s work in an altogether different context. Rather than a religious—or spiritual—filmmaker, Bresson is revealed as an artist steeped in radical, revolutionary politics.
Situating Bresson in radical and aesthetic political contexts, from surrealism to situationism, Neither God nor Master shows how his early style was a model for social resistance. We then see how, after May 1968, his films were in fact a series of reflections on the failure of revolution in France—especially as “failure” is understood in relation to Bresson’s chosen literary precursors, Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, and Russian revolutionary culture of the nineteenth century.
Restoring Bresson to the radical political culture from which he emerged—and to which he remained faithful—Price offers a major revision of the reputation of one of the most celebrated figures in the history of French film. In doing so, he raises larger philosophical questions about the efficacy of revolutionary practices and questions about interpretation and metaphysical tendencies of film historical research that have, until now, gone largely untested.
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Never Givin' Up
The Life and Music of Al JarreauKurt Dietrich
Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2023
The inspiring story of an iconic singer from Milwaukee
This is the first biography to chronicle the life and career of one of the most distinguished and beloved musical artists to come out of Wisconsin: Al Jarreau. From his earliest days singing in the 1940s until his death in 2017, Jarreau defied categorization. While his biggest hit, “We’re In This Love Together,” is pure pop, he smashed music industry stereotypes as the first artist to win Grammy Awards in three genres: jazz, pop, and R&B.
Never Givin’ Up traces Jarreau’s singing career from humble beginnings in his hometown of Milwaukee to international fame. The narrative includes his formative student days at Ripon College and the University of Iowa, as well as the years spent honing his craft at nightspots in Milwaukee, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. After he was signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1975 at the age of 35, Jarreau achieved stardom with his innovative vocal stylings and electric live performances.
This book includes more than 20 sidebars with bonus information about every Jarreau album and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the records. Author Kurt Dietrich conducted interviews with dozens of Al's friends, fellow musicians, professional associates, and family members—most notably Al’s sister, Rose Marie Freeman, who was a major contributor to the project. Featuring 54 images spanning Jarreau’s life, from never-before-seen family snapshots to stills from his legendary stage performances, Never Givin’ Up celebrates a Milwaukee hometown hero and global sensation.
Silver Medal Winner for the 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Performing Arts and Music
Finalist for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections’ Award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Jazz
“Kurt Dietrich has created a masterful book, revealing and depicting a detailed version of my brother, Al Jarreau, through his music and career. In these pages, I see Al’s determination and his admirable goal of ‘Never Givin’ Up’ on his joy of singing. It was my distinct pleasure to work with Kurt Dietrich in the process, establishing what has become a bond of family-like friendship that will endure for a lifetime and beyond.”
—Rose Marie (Jarreau) Freeman
“Dietrich captures Jarreau’s simultaneously gregarious and shy charm while revealing his own affection for this gifted and gracious performer. It’s his love letter to a Milwaukee legend.”
—Bill Milkowski, author of Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius and Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker
"Written in an approachable style and carefully documented, this book will be valuable for fans and researchers of Jarreau’s music. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
—Choice Reviews
This is the first biography to chronicle the life and career of one of the most distinguished and beloved musical artists to come out of Wisconsin: Al Jarreau. From his earliest days singing in the 1940s until his death in 2017, Jarreau defied categorization. While his biggest hit, “We’re In This Love Together,” is pure pop, he smashed music industry stereotypes as the first artist to win Grammy Awards in three genres: jazz, pop, and R&B.
Never Givin’ Up traces Jarreau’s singing career from humble beginnings in his hometown of Milwaukee to international fame. The narrative includes his formative student days at Ripon College and the University of Iowa, as well as the years spent honing his craft at nightspots in Milwaukee, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. After he was signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1975 at the age of 35, Jarreau achieved stardom with his innovative vocal stylings and electric live performances.
This book includes more than 20 sidebars with bonus information about every Jarreau album and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the records. Author Kurt Dietrich conducted interviews with dozens of Al's friends, fellow musicians, professional associates, and family members—most notably Al’s sister, Rose Marie Freeman, who was a major contributor to the project. Featuring 54 images spanning Jarreau’s life, from never-before-seen family snapshots to stills from his legendary stage performances, Never Givin’ Up celebrates a Milwaukee hometown hero and global sensation.
Silver Medal Winner for the 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Performing Arts and Music
Finalist for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections’ Award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Jazz
“Kurt Dietrich has created a masterful book, revealing and depicting a detailed version of my brother, Al Jarreau, through his music and career. In these pages, I see Al’s determination and his admirable goal of ‘Never Givin’ Up’ on his joy of singing. It was my distinct pleasure to work with Kurt Dietrich in the process, establishing what has become a bond of family-like friendship that will endure for a lifetime and beyond.”
—Rose Marie (Jarreau) Freeman
“Dietrich captures Jarreau’s simultaneously gregarious and shy charm while revealing his own affection for this gifted and gracious performer. It’s his love letter to a Milwaukee legend.”
—Bill Milkowski, author of Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius and Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker
"Written in an approachable style and carefully documented, this book will be valuable for fans and researchers of Jarreau’s music. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
—Choice Reviews
[more]
Never Givin' Up
The Life and Music of Al JarreauKurt Dietrich
Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2025
The inspiring story of an iconic singer from Milwaukee
This is the first biography to chronicle the life and career of one of the most distinguished and beloved musical artists to come out of Wisconsin: Al Jarreau. From his earliest days singing in the 1940s until his death in 2017, Jarreau defied categorization. While his biggest hit, “We’re In This Love Together,” is pure pop, he smashed music industry stereotypes as the first artist to win Grammy Awards in three genres: jazz, pop, and R&B.
Never Givin’ Up traces Jarreau’s singing career from humble beginnings in his hometown of Milwaukee to international fame. The narrative includes his formative student days at Ripon College and the University of Iowa, as well as the years spent honing his craft at nightspots in Milwaukee, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. After he was signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1975 at the age of 35, Jarreau achieved stardom with his innovative vocal stylings and electric live performances.
This book includes more than 20 sidebars with bonus information about every Jarreau album and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the records. Author Kurt Dietrich conducted interviews with dozens of Al's friends, fellow musicians, professional associates, and family members—most notably Al’s sister, Rose Marie Freeman, who was a major contributor to the project. Never Givin’ Up celebrates a Milwaukee hometown hero and global sensation.
Silver Medal Winner for the 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Performing Arts and Music
Finalist for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections’ Award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Jazz
“Kurt Dietrich has created a masterful book, revealing and depicting a detailed version of my brother, Al Jarreau, through his music and career. In these pages, I see Al’s determination and his admirable goal of ‘Never Givin’ Up’ on his joy of singing. It was my distinct pleasure to work with Kurt Dietrich in the process, establishing what has become a bond of family-like friendship that will endure for a lifetime and beyond.”
—Rose Marie (Jarreau) Freeman
“Dietrich captures Jarreau’s simultaneously gregarious and shy charm while revealing his own affection for this gifted and gracious performer. It’s his love letter to a Milwaukee legend.”
—Bill Milkowski, author of Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius and Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker
"Written in an approachable style and carefully documented, this book will be valuable for fans and researchers of Jarreau’s music. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
—Choice Reviews
This is the first biography to chronicle the life and career of one of the most distinguished and beloved musical artists to come out of Wisconsin: Al Jarreau. From his earliest days singing in the 1940s until his death in 2017, Jarreau defied categorization. While his biggest hit, “We’re In This Love Together,” is pure pop, he smashed music industry stereotypes as the first artist to win Grammy Awards in three genres: jazz, pop, and R&B.
Never Givin’ Up traces Jarreau’s singing career from humble beginnings in his hometown of Milwaukee to international fame. The narrative includes his formative student days at Ripon College and the University of Iowa, as well as the years spent honing his craft at nightspots in Milwaukee, San Francisco, and the Twin Cities. After he was signed by Warner Bros. Records in 1975 at the age of 35, Jarreau achieved stardom with his innovative vocal stylings and electric live performances.
This book includes more than 20 sidebars with bonus information about every Jarreau album and behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the records. Author Kurt Dietrich conducted interviews with dozens of Al's friends, fellow musicians, professional associates, and family members—most notably Al’s sister, Rose Marie Freeman, who was a major contributor to the project. Never Givin’ Up celebrates a Milwaukee hometown hero and global sensation.
Silver Medal Winner for the 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Performing Arts and Music
Finalist for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections’ Award for Best Historical Research in Recorded Jazz
“Kurt Dietrich has created a masterful book, revealing and depicting a detailed version of my brother, Al Jarreau, through his music and career. In these pages, I see Al’s determination and his admirable goal of ‘Never Givin’ Up’ on his joy of singing. It was my distinct pleasure to work with Kurt Dietrich in the process, establishing what has become a bond of family-like friendship that will endure for a lifetime and beyond.”
—Rose Marie (Jarreau) Freeman
“Dietrich captures Jarreau’s simultaneously gregarious and shy charm while revealing his own affection for this gifted and gracious performer. It’s his love letter to a Milwaukee legend.”
—Bill Milkowski, author of Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius and Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker
"Written in an approachable style and carefully documented, this book will be valuable for fans and researchers of Jarreau’s music. Summing Up: Highly recommended."
—Choice Reviews
[more]
No One Knows Their Names
Screenwriters in HollywoodJorja Prover
University of Wisconsin Press, 1994
This is the first study of Hollywood by an anthropologist. Jorja Prover examines how different groups of individuals, separated from one another superficially by ethnicity, race, and sex, function as writers in Hollywood. She describes the white “majority” Hollywood writers and explores their concerns and creative processes, and then discusses other writers who, until recently, have been virtually invisible in the entertainment industry—women, the physically challenged, gays, African Americans, Latinos, and Asians. In detailing their efforts at gaining professional acceptance, these writers introduce new, previously unmentioned issues involving access, advancement, talent, sexual harassment, and discrimination.
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No Stars in Jefferson Park
A MemoirMaggie Andersen
Northwestern University Press, 2026
A Chicagoan’s coming-of-age memoir finds courage in the face of immense loss
In her early twenties, Maggie Andersen was a founding ensemble member of Chicago’s storied Gift Theatre with her then-boyfriend, Michael Patrick Thornton. But after a series of spinal strokes left Thornton paralyzed, Andersen made the heart-wrenching decision to leave him, along with their growing company and, later, her beloved city. No Stars in Jefferson Park alternates between two narratives: the energy and excitement of making art in Chicago’s thriving storefront theater scene and the devastating day-to-day realities of rehabilitation and rebuilding—and somewhere in the middle finding the courage to choose yourself.
Over the past twenty-plus years, the Gift—now performing in the working-class neighborhood of Portage Park—has become one of the most vital storefront theaters in Chicago, with Thornton’s career taking him to Hollywood and Broadway. But Andersen’s story has brought her back home. No Stars in Jefferson Park is a testament to lifelong friendship, a love letter to Chicago, and a profound coming-of-age story about the pain and necessity of putting yourself first.
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Noel Coward
A BiographyPhilip Hoare
University of Chicago Press, 1998
To several generations, actor, playwright, songwriter, and filmmaker, Noël Coward (1899-1973) was the very personification of wit, glamour, and elegance. His biographer, Philip Hoare, given unprecedented access to the private papers and correspondence of Coward family members, compatriots, and numerous lovers, has produced the definitive biography of one of the twentieth century's most celebrated and controversial figures.
"Philip Hoare's careful research and lucid presentation in his Noël Coward: A Biography adds depth to the picture."-New York Times Book Review
"A fascinating, in-depth biography."—Library Journal
"Hoare has profiled vividly and in-depth a complex legend who had a talent for creating and recreating both himself and his works."—Publishers Weekly
"In the thicket of books about the life and work of Coward, Philip Hoare's stands out as the most well-documented and objective."—Los Angeles Times
"[Hoare's] book, like its subject, strives for effortless sophistication, and succeeds."—Newsday
"Hoare's retelling of Coward's story [is] the most vivid, insightful, and fascinating so far."—John Lahr, The New Yorker
"Philip Hoare's careful research and lucid presentation in his Noël Coward: A Biography adds depth to the picture."-New York Times Book Review
"A fascinating, in-depth biography."—Library Journal
"Hoare has profiled vividly and in-depth a complex legend who had a talent for creating and recreating both himself and his works."—Publishers Weekly
"In the thicket of books about the life and work of Coward, Philip Hoare's stands out as the most well-documented and objective."—Los Angeles Times
"[Hoare's] book, like its subject, strives for effortless sophistication, and succeeds."—Newsday
"Hoare's retelling of Coward's story [is] the most vivid, insightful, and fascinating so far."—John Lahr, The New Yorker
[more]
Not Bad for Delancey Street
The Rise of Billy RoseMark Cohen
Brandeis University Press, 2018
He was amazing. “A little man with a Napoleonic penchant for the colossal and magnificent, Billy Rose is the country’s No. 1 purveyor of mass entertainment,” Life magazine announced in 1936. The Times reported that with 1,400 people on his payroll, Rose ran a larger organization than any other producer in America. “He's clever, clever, clever,” said Rose's first wife, the legendary Fanny Brice. “He's a smart little goose.” Not Bad for Delancey Street: The Rise of Billy Rose is the first biography in fifty years of the producer, World’s Fair impresario, songwriter, nightclub and theater owner, syndicated columnist, art collector, tough guy, and philanthropist, and the first to tell the whole story of Rose’s life. He combined a love for his thrilling and lucrative American moment with sometimes grandiose plans to aid his fellow Jews. He was an exaggerated exemplar of the American Jewish experience that predominated after World War II: secular, intermarried, bent on financial success, in love with Israel, and wedded to America. The life of Billy Rose was set against the great events of the twentieth century, including the Depression, when Rose became rich entertaining millions; the Nazi war on the Jews, which Rose combated through theatrical pageants that urged the American government to act; the postwar American boom, which Rose harnessed to attain extraordinary wealth; and the birth of Israel, where Rose staked his claim to immortality. Mark Cohen tells the unlikely but true story, based on exhaustive research, of Rose’s single-handed rescue in 1939 of an Austrian Jewish refugee stranded in Fascist Italy, an event about which Rose never spoke but which surfaced fifty years later as the nucleus of Saul Bellow’s short novel The Bellarosa Connection.
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