Rise Up!
Broadway and American Society from 'Angels in America’ to ‘Hamilton’
by Chris Jones
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Pub Date 15 Nov 2018 | Archive Date 16 Nov 2018
Bloomsbury Academic | Methuen Drama
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Description
Penned by one of America’s best-known daily theatre critics and organized chronologically, this lively and readable book tells the story of Broadway’s renaissance from the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, via the disaster that was Spiderman: Turn off the Dark through the unparalleled financial, artistic and political success of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. It is the story of the embrace of risk and substance. In so doing, Chris Jones makes the point that the theatre thrived by finally figuring out how to embrace the bold statement and insert itself into the national conversation - only to find out in 2016 that a hefty sector of the American public had not been listening to what it had to say.
Chris Jones was in the theatres when and where it mattered. He takes readers from the moment when Tony Kushner’s angel crashed (quite literally) through the ceiling of prejudice and religious intolerance to the triumph of Hamilton, with the coda of the Broadway cast addressing a new Republican vice-president from the stage. That complex performance - at once indicative of the theatre’s new clout and its inability to fully change American society for the better - is the final scene of the book.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781350071933 |
| PRICE | US$24.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Nicki M, Reviewer
Rise Up! is a wonderful tome that investigates how Broadway has influenced, and been affected by, culture, politics and social values over the last thirty years. By highlighting certain productions, it tells the story of societal development and changing attitudes since the 1990s, and how these have related to the types of productions seen on the stage. I knew most, but not all, of the shows referenced, and found it an interesting and informative work. This is a book that will appeal to theatre lovers who enjoy a more thought-provoking approach to theatrical commentary. Definitely worth a read!
Jeff L, Reviewer
How does the saying go? ‘Art reflects life reflects Art?’ Author (and Chicago Tribune Theatre Critic) Chris Jones gives us, not a critique but an important history lesson; as much an American History lesson as one of Broadway in recent years. Our entire landscape is changing—both on stage and off, as Jones clearly demonstrates throughout this passionate book.
Jones has taken more recent, key Broadway accomplishments as they relate to the world around us and thoroughly examines their relationship to many historical events that continue to shape our world.
Many notable (and a few unexpected) productions are discussed in Rise Up. Their relationships with society today, as well as the redefining of Broadway’s direction have radically changed over past 20 years. Jones carefully walks the reader through those changes in a most enjoyable and engaging way.
I have to say, I was thrilled for the inclusion of American Idiot in the discussion. Though not a blockbuster commercial success, I completely agree that it was an important theatrical event on many levels.
I realize that the focus of Rise Up is the period from Angels in America (1992 Tony) to Hamilton (2016 Tony) but Jones mentions the successful Come From Away (2017) and there are numerous references to current facts as of 2018—so why, I wonder, did he choose to ignore Dear Evan Hansen (2017 Tony Winner) with its socially significant storyline involving the highly topical subjects of mental illness and youth suicide? I would have appreciated it inclusion, even if in an epilogue. The story goes on.
Highly recommended! I received an ARC copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jackie T, Reviewer
What a wonderful, uplifting account of the American musical!! As a person who follows the people and times of the genre, I found this book satisfying and informative. If you are a reader who loves finding out the backstory of Broadway, this is the book for you.
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