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Women on the Stage in Early Modern France: 1540-1750
by Virginia ScottFocusing on actresses in France during the early modern period, Virginia Scott examines how the stereotype of the actress has been constructed. The study then moves beyond that stereotype to detail the reality of the personal and artistic lives of women on the French stage, from the almost unknown Marie Ferr_ - who signed a contract for 12 livres a year in 1545 to perform the 'antiquailles de Rome or other histories, moralities, farces, and acrobatics' in the provinces - to the queens of the eighteenth-century Paris stage, whose 'adventures' have overshadowed their artistic triumphs. The book also investigates the ways in which actresses made invaluable contributions to the development of the French theatre in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and looks at the 'afterlives' of such women as Armande B_jart, Marquise Du Parc, Charlotte Desmares, Adrienne Lecouvreur, and Hippolyte Clairon in biographies, plays, and films.
When Opera Meets Film
by Marcia J. CitronOpera can reveal something fundamental about a film, and film can do the same for an opera, argues Marcia J. Citron. Structured by the categories of Style, Subjectivity, and Desire, this volume advances our understanding of the aesthetics of the opera/film encounter. Case studies of a diverse array of important repertoire including mainstream film, opera-film, and postmodernist pastiche are presented. Citron uses Werner Wolf's theory of intermediality to probe the roles of opera and film when they combine. The book also refines and expands film-music functions, and details the impact of an opera's musical style on the meaning of a film. Drawing on cinematic traditions of Hollywood, France, and Britain, the study explores Coppola's Godfather trilogy, Jewison's Moonstruck, Nichols's Closer, Chabrol's La C_r_monie, Schlesinger's Sunday, Bloody Sunday, Boyd's Aria, and Ponnelle's opera-films.
Beethoven the Pianist
by Tilman SkowroneckThe widely held belief that Beethoven was a rough pianist, impatient with his instruments, is not altogether accurate: it is influenced by anecdotes dating from when deafness had begun to impair his playing. Presenting a new, detailed biography of Beethoven's formative years, this book reviews the composer's early career, outlining how he was influenced by teachers, theorists and instruments. Skowroneck describes the development and decline of Beethoven's pianism, and pays special attention to early pianos, their construction and their importance for Beethoven and the modern pianist. The book also includes new discussions of legato and Beethoven's trills, and a complete annotated review of eyewitnesses' reports about his playing. Skowroneck presents a revised picture of Beethoven which traces his development from an impetuous young musician into a virtuoso in command of many musical resources.
Barbie: I can be A Rock Star
by Mary Man-Kong Jiyoung AnBarbie decides to enter the big talent competition. Unfortunately, so does her biggest rival: her "frenemy," Raquelle! Barbie is very nervous--but with a little help from her friends, she rocks the house! This full-color storybook comes with over 50 rockin' stickers!From the Trade Paperback edition.
Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons Enhanced E-Book
by Greg FitzsimmonsDear Mrs. Fitzsimmons is Greg’s life, told through this cavalcade of disciplinary letters, incident reports, and newspaper clippings that his parents received from teachers and school officials. Greg picks up where his parents left off with his own collection of letters received during college and throughout his successful career as a writer, producer, and stand-up comic. Revealing the larger story of how Greg’s distinctly dysfunctional Irish-American family bred him to blindly challenge anyone, anytime, anywhere, over anything, Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons comes full circle to show that the Fitzsimmons torch has been passed on proudly to a new generation.
Cher's Furiously Fit Workout (Clueless Series)
by Randi Reisfeld Amy HeckerlingHere's an all-new novel based on the new ABC-TV prime-time series, and written by Randi Reisfeld, creator of the hit movie Clueless starring Alicia Silverstone.
The Little Drummer Mouse: A Christmas Story
by Mercer MayerA little mouse who is teased for being the smallest and for playing an acorn drum is singled out to give a gift to the very special child who has been born in a nearby stable.
A Beautiful Mess
by Diamond Rio Tom RolandWhat made it possible for Diamond Rio to weather the storms inherent in the fickle world of fame and fortune and go more than two decades without a single lineup change? In "A Beautiful Mess," each band member provides a variety of perspectives on fame and success.
Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song, and the Power of Perseverance
by David ArchuletaSinging sensation and American Idol favorite David Archuleta tells his inspiring personal story. A runner-up on American Idol and successful music artist, David Archuleta was named one of the "breakout stars of 2008" by Forbes magazine and landed the number two spot on the Billboard charts. In Chords of Strength, David shares his unexpected and inspiring journey, including how he overcame vocal cord paralysis to achieve his dream of being a singer. He reveals insecurities he felt about his voice - before he realized that he loved the way singing made him feel more than he disliked the way he sounded. In this personal memoir, David opens up about the strength he draws from his unshakable faith and unyielding family. He pays tribute to those who continue to inspire him and through their example help him believe in himself, his talent, and his abilities. Intimate and uplifting, Chords of Strength allows a unique glimpse of the man behind the music and offers hope to anyone with a passion and a dream.
Mountain Man Dance Moves: The McSweeney's Book of Lists
by McSweeney'sIf a mountain man felt compelled to dance, how would he do it? If koala bears could talk, what would they say? And what's the right pickup line, if you're a necrophiliac? (Maybe "I'm pretty sure I'm not going to get you pregnant.") In the throes of debates like these, we're lucky to have the learned people of McSweeney's Internet Tendency, America's best low-budget humor website, and their edifying work. From their best-looking writers comes this collection of over three hundred lists, including..."Signs Your Unicorn Is Cheating on You.""Errors in Communication Between My Hairdresser and Me, in the Form of What I Said and What He Heard""Things This City Was Built On, Besides Rock 'n' Roll""Things This One Girl Sitting Near Me in a Movie Theater Said Out Loud When One of the Characters Was Shown Pulling Into a Gas Station""Future Winners of the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest""Adjectives Rarely Used by Wine Tasters""The Collected Apologies of Lawrence H. Summers, President of Harvard""Exactly What I Mean When I Say My Ex-Girlfriend Kristin and I 'Wanted Different Things from Life'"And much, much more...
A Funny Time to Be Gay
by Ed KarvoskiIn A Funny Time to Be Gay, Ed Karvoski Jr. traces the evolution of gay and lesbian comedy from the few pioneers in New York's Greenwich Village in the seventies, to the mavericks who played San Francisco's famed Valencia Rose in the eighties, to the comics who starred in their own TV specials in the nineties and continue to headline comedy clubs. Among the more than 30 humorists spotlighted... · TOM AMMIANO - longtime San Francisco elected official · JUDY CARTER - three-time author including The Homo Handbook· KATE CLINTON - three-time author including Don't Get Me Started · SABRINA MATTHEWS - star of own Comedy Central special· BOB SMITH - three-time author including Openly Bob and star of own HBO special· JASON STUART - frequent TV guest appearances · ROBIN TYLER - performer, producer and proprietor of a women's cruise line· SUZANNE WESTENHOEFER - star of own HBO special · DANNY WILLIAMS - longtime MC at RSVP Cruises ... and more! "To the next generation of showbiz hopefuls who are gay or lesbian and choose not to hide it: make a grand entrance onto the comedy-club stages and television and film studios. The closet door has been set ajar. As any of these openly gay and lesbians comics will tell you, 'A funny thing happened on the way out of the closet!'"-- Ed Karvoski Jr., from author's introduction
Booking Performance Tours
by Tony MicocciBooking Performance Tours is the quintessential guide for anyone involved in the touring of live arts and entertainment-as a producer, artist, presenter, agent, manager, or attorney. Industry insider Tony Micocci shares keen insights on: --Relationships among producers, agents, managers, and presenters --Negotiating styles --Taxation --Technology --Ethics in professional dealings --Booking strategies --Nonprofit versus commercial touring --Special considerations for booking Broadway and popular music --International touring --External factors affecting the field Booking Performance Tours includes nearly 100 pages of appendixes containing engagement contracts, technical riders, deal memos, and representation contracts, with extensive point-by-point analyses of all provisions. This book is destined to become the classic reference for the industry.
Improve Your Piano Playing
by John MeffenFor anyone with basic piano playing skills looking to dramatically improve his or her technique for performances or for personal pleasure, Dr. John Meffen offers simplified and tested techniques explained clearly, concisely, and occasionally humorously. Meffen offers a structured process of practice, making learning a new piece easy. Readers will learn:--Techniques to eradicate recurring mistakes--Workable fingering--Expressive touch--Methods to deal with tricky passages--Proper phrasing and tone production--Pedaling--How to do justice to the composer's work--Correct interpretation of musical scores. In addition, an invaluable chapter on the inner workings of the piano will help musicians of all stages and ages choose the right piano for their needs and abilities.
Paul and Me: Fifty-three Years of Adventures and Misadventures with My Pal Paul Newman
by A. E. HotchnerBestselling author A. E. Hotchner's intimate account of his 53-year friendship with his pal Paul Newman. A. E. Hotchner first met Paul Newman in 1955 when the virtually unknown actor assumed the lead role in Hotchner's first television play, based on an Ernest Hemingway story. The project elevated both men from relative obscurity to recognition and began a close and trusted friendship that lasted until Newman's death in 2008. In Paul and Me, Hotchner depicts a complicated, unpredictable, fun-loving, talented man, and takes the reader along on their adventures. The pair traveled extensively, skippered a succession of bizarre boats, confounded the business world, scored triumphs on the stage, and sustained their friendship through good times and bad. Most notably, they started Newman's Own as a prank and watched it morph into a major enterprise that so far has donated all its $300 million in profit to charities including the Hole in the Wall Camps worldwide, dedicated to helping thousands of children with life-threatening illnesses. Paul and Me, complete with personal photographs, is the story of a freewheeling friendship and a tribute to the acclaimed actor who gave to the world as much as the world gave him.From the Hardcover edition.
Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life: A Book by and for the Fanatics Among Us (with Bitchin’ Soundtrack)
by Steve AlmondDrooling fanatic, n. 1. One who drools in the presence of beloved rock stars. 2. Any of a genus of rock-and-roll wannabes/geeks who walk around with songs constantly ringing in their ears, own more than 3,000 albums, and fall in love with at least one record per week. With a life that's spanned the phonographic era and the digital age, Steve Almond lives to Rawk. Like you, he's secretly longed to live the life of a rock star, complete with insane talent, famous friends, and hotel rooms to be trashed. Also like you, he's content (sort of) to live the life of a rabid fan, one who has converted his unrequited desires into a (sort of) noble obsession. Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life traces Almond's passion from his earliest (and most wretched) rock criticism to his eventual discovery of a music-crazed soul mate and their subsequent production of two little superfans. Along the way, Almond reflects on the delusional power of songs, the awkward mating habits of drooling fanatics, and why Depression Songs actually make us feel so much better. The book also includes: * sometimes drunken interviews with America's finest songwriters* a recap of the author's terrifying visit to Graceland while stoned* a vigorous and credibility-shattering endorsement of Styx's Paradise Theater * recommendations you will often choose to ignore* a reluctant exegesis of the Toto song "Africa" * obnoxious lists sure to piss off rock critics But wait, there's more. Readers will also be able to listen to a special free mix designed by the author, available online at www.stevenalmond.com, for the express purpose of eliciting your drool. For those about to rock--we salute you!From the Hardcover edition.
Policing Cinema: Movies and Censorship in Early Twentieth-Century America
by Lee GrievesonTracing the discourses and practices of cultural and political elites and the responses of the nascent film industry, Grieveson reveals how these interactions had profound effects on the shaping of film content, form, and, more fundamentally, the proposed social function of cinema: how cinema should function in society, the uses to which it might be put, and thus what it could or would be.
Some Kind of Genius: The Extraordinary Journey of Musical Savant Tony Deblois
by Antonia Felix Janice DebloisFor everyone whose heart was touched by the movie Rain Man, here is the inspiring true story of an exceptional autistic savant whose musical gifts thrill audiences the world over. Ever since he was born--blind and weighing less than two pounds--Tony DeBlois has been defying the odds and wildly surpassing others' expectations. Tony's story will hold special appeal for all who have seen him on the Today s how and Entertainment Tonight, etc.
Still Grazing: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela
by Hugh Masekela D. Michael CheersHugh Masekela, a prodigiously talented giant of jazz and world music and one of today's few living world-class artists narrates a magical journey around the world in this epic, music-soaked tale of love, excess, exile, and home. Unfolding against the backbeat of the most revolutionary musical movements of the last forty years and one of the most inspiring political transformations of the twentieth century, this is the utterly engrossing and deeply effecting chronicle of a remarkable, one-of-a-kind life.
Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering
by Meredith BaxterI remember Sarah asking me, when I'd just begun therapy with her, what I looked for in a man. After a few moments of silent, tense deliberation I had it. Hair, I blurted. He has to have hair. Meredith Baxter is a beloved and iconic television actress. Her warmth, humor, and brilliant smile made her one of the most popular women on television, with millions of viewers following her on the small screen each week. Yet her success masked a tumultuous personal story and a harrowing private life. For the first time, Baxter is ready to share her incredible highs, (working with Robert Redford, Doris Day, Lana Turner, and the cast of Family Ties), and lows (a thorny relationship with her mother, a difficult marriage to David Birney, a bout with breast cancer), finally revealing the woman behind the image. From her childhood in Hollywood, growing up the daughter of actress and co-creator of One Day at a Time Whitney Blake, Baxter became familiar with the ups and downs of show business from an early age. After wholeheartedly embracing the 60s counterculture lifestyle, she was forced to rely on her acting skills after her first divorce left her a 22-year-old single mother of two. Baxter began her professional career with supporting roles in the critically panned horror film Ben, and in the political thriller All the President's Men. More lucrative work soon followed on the small screen. Baxter starred with actor David Birney as the title characters in controversial sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. While the series only lasted a year, her high-profile romance with Birney lasted 15 volatile and unhappy years. Hiding the worst of her situation from even those closest to her, Baxter's career flourished as her self-esteem and family crumbled. Her successful run as Nancy on Family was followed by her enormously popular role as hippie mom, Elyse Keaton, on Family Ties, and dozens of well-received television movies. After a bitter divorce and custody battle with Birney, Baxter increasingly relied on alcohol as a refuge, and here speaks candidly of her decision to take her last drink in 1990. And while another ruinous divorce to screenwriter Michael Blodgett taxed Baxter's strength and confidence, she has emerged from her experiences with the renewed self-assurance, poise, and understanding that have enabled her to find a loving, respectful relationship with Nancy Locke, and to speak about it openly. Told with insight, wit, and disarming frankness,Untied is the eye-opening and inspiring life of an actress, a woman, and a mother who has come into her own.
Mexicana Encounters: The Making of Social Identities on the Borderlands
by Rosa Linda FregosoMexicana Encounters charts the dynamic and contradictory representation of Mexicanas and Chicanas in culture. Fregoso's self-reflexive approach to cultural politics embraces the movement for social justice and offers new insights into the ways that racial and gender differences are inscribed in cultural practices.
Closely Watched Films: An Introduction to the Art of Narrative Film Technique
by Marilyn FabeThrough detailed examinations of passages from classic films, Marilyn Fabe supplies the analytic tools and background in film history and theory to enable us to see more in every film we watch. This concise introduction provides a broad, complete, and yet specific picture of visual narrative techniques that will increase readers' excitement about and knowledge of the possibilities of the film medium.
Screenwriting for a Global Market: Selling Your Scripts from Hollywood to Hong Kong
by Andrew HortonThis book provides the practical know-how for breaking into the global marketplace. It offers specific advice on writing for screens large and small, around the world from Hollywood to New Zealand, from Europe to Russia, and for alternative American markets including Native American, regional, and experimental.
Chinaberry Sidewalks
by Rodney CrowellFrom the acclaimed musician comes a tender, surprising, and often uproarious memoir about his dirt-poor southeast Texas boyhood. The only child of a hard-drinking father and a Holy Roller mother, Rodney Crowell was no stranger to bombast from an early age, whether knock-down-drag-outs at a local dive bar or fire-and-brimstone sermons at Pentecostal tent revivals. He was an expert at reading his father's mercurial moods and gauging exactly when his mother was likely to erupt, and even before he learned to ride a bike, he was often forced to take matters into his own hands. He broke up his parents' raucous New Year's Eve party with gunfire and ended their slugfest at the local drive-in (actual restaurants weren't on the Crowells' menu) by smashing a glass pop bottle over his own head. Despite the violent undercurrents always threatening to burst to the surface, he fiercely loved his epilepsy-racked mother, who scorned boring preachers and improvised wildly when the bills went unpaid. And he idolized his blustering father, a honky-tonk man who took his boy to see Hank Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash perform live, and bought him a drum set so he could join his band at age eleven. Shot through with raggedy friends and their neighborhood capers, hilariously awkward adolescent angst, and an indelible depiction of the bloodlines Crowell came from, Chinaberry Sidewalks also vividly re-creates Houston in the fifties: a rough frontier town where icehouses sold beer by the gallon on paydays; teeming with musical venues from standard roadhouses to the Magnolia Gardens, where name-brand stars brought glamour to a place starved for it; filling up with cheap subdivisions where blue-collar day laborers could finally afford a house of their own; a place where apocalyptic hurricanes and pest infestations were nearly routine. But at its heart this is Crowell's tribute to his parents and an exploration of their troubled yet ultimately redeeming romance. Wry, clear-eyed, and generous, it is, like the very best memoirs, firmly rooted in time and place and station, never dismissive, and truly fulfilling.
Family Guy and Philosophy: A Cure for the Retarded
by J. Jeremy WisnewskiWisnewski (philosophy, Hartwick College) provides the analysis and some of the funny footnotes as he and his contributors work through postmodernism, religion and religious exclusivity, virtue and perversity, clueless men (in the character's case this is an oxymoron), motherhood, deadly sins, the importance of background people, dogs with personality, the logic of expectation, humor, fallacies, plagiarism, will and wantonness in wives, ego, and death. The result is fun, if you are a fan of the show, but even if you are not, you can get the point and most of the jokes.
The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice (The Folger Shakespeare Library)
by William Shakespeare Barbara A. Mowat Paul WerstineDesigned to make Shakespeare's great plays available to all readers, the New Folger Library edition of Shakespeare's plays provides accurate texts in modern spelling and punctuation, as well as scene-by-scene action summaries, full explanatory notes, many pictures clarifying Shakespeare's language, and notes recording all significant departures from the early printed versions. Each play is prefaced by a brief introduction, by a guide to reading Shakespeare's language, and by accounts of his life and theater. Each play is followed by an annotated list of further readings and by a "Modern Perspective" written by an expert on that particular play.