Ethel Merman: A Life

Cover
Penguin, 2007 - 326 Seiten
A biography equal to the outsized personality of one of Broadway’s best-loved stars

From her breakout rendition of George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” in 1930 to her triumphant performance as Gypsy’s Mama Rose in 1959, Ethel Merman defined Broadway stardom for two generations of music lovers. Merman’s singing voice—brassy, penetrating, and undeniably American—has transcended genre and era to become a cultural icon. As an entertainer she burned with unstoppable energy. Offstage she was the original diva, a woman who knew what she wanted and brooked no interference. Her spats and frequently off-color zingers have become part of theater lore.

In this entertaining and authoritative biography, Brian Kellow traces Merman’s life from her childhood in Queens, New York, through her three decades at the peak of Broadway celebrity. In an era dominated by outsized personalities and egos, none was more vibrant and powerful than Merman’s, yet beneath the tough-dame image was an enormously vulnerable and often lonely woman. Kellow’s book, which includes recollections from more than 120 of Merman’s friends, colleagues, and family members, stands as the definitive biography and an affectionate portrait of an unforgettable star. Fans of Broadway history and of the great Ethel Merman will find Kellow’s biography an irresistible read.

Im Buch

Ausgewählte Seiten

Inhalt

Abschnitt 1
1
Abschnitt 2
9
Abschnitt 3
22
Abschnitt 4
30
Abschnitt 5
41
Abschnitt 6
47
Abschnitt 7
56
Abschnitt 8
67
Abschnitt 19
150
Abschnitt 20
150
Abschnitt 21
150
Abschnitt 22
150
Abschnitt 23
160
Abschnitt 24
173
Abschnitt 25
193
Abschnitt 26
205

Abschnitt 9
76
Abschnitt 10
90
Abschnitt 11
103
Abschnitt 12
119
Abschnitt 13
133
Abschnitt 14
144
Abschnitt 15
150
Abschnitt 16
150
Abschnitt 17
150
Abschnitt 18
150
Abschnitt 27
217
Abschnitt 28
227
Abschnitt 29
247
Abschnitt 30
260
Abschnitt 31
269
Abschnitt 32
273
Abschnitt 33
291
Abschnitt 34
313
Urheberrecht

Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen

Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen

Autoren-Profil (2007)

Brian Kellow is the features editor of Opera News, where his column, "On the Beat," appears monthly. He is the author of The Bennetts: An Acting Family and the coauthor of Can't Help Singing: The Life of Eileen Farrell. A classically trained pianist, Kellow has also written for Opera and Playbill, among others. He lives in New York City.

Bibliografische Informationen