This frank, funny and well written autobiography is an easy and engaging read.
Best known for having composing Mary Poppins Returns and Hairspray alongside Scott Wittman, it is really fascinating to find out more about the life that Marc Shaiman has lived, while gaining insight into the way in which he works.
While the work he created for Broadway only comes to the forefront towards the middle of the book (he really does highlight the struggles of getting work onto the stage which is fascinating to find out more about), this book is really a story of acceptance and following your dreams no matter what it takes.
Taking us through his early passion for music (Bette Middler for one features a lot in the book), through to the loss of so many of his friends through AIDS there is plenty of emotion on display. However, there does feel as though there are some things that have been deliberately left unsaid for many reasons of his own.
Throughout the book, he never shies away from the disappointments he has faced – including the response to his original songs for the musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well as his dealings with director Nora Ephron. There is great rawness and honesty written in these parts, while the chapters focusing on his relationships with his father and Martin Short are wonderfully affectionate.
Shaiman has a way of writing that is strikingly frank, sharp and witty that keeps you engaged with every story that he tells. But there are moments when it feels as though he isn’t truly sure what type of autobiography that he wants to tell – the conflict in the way in which he is happy to delve into certain aspects of his personal life in contrast to the sharp focus into his professional career (there are plenty of name drops along the way).
The way in which he includes the lyrics from various songs he wrote adds a lovely sincerity and depth to the stories that he tells and his passion for what he does is never in question. Yet it is surprising that not more focus is on Hairpray, one of his and Scott Witmman’s biggest hits.
There is a real sense of briskness in the way in which the story unfolds that keeps it breezy and lighthearted. There are plenty of amusing and embarrassing antidotes along the way that remind us its ok to make mistakes along the way through life – but it is interesting he doesn’t focus too much on his partnership both professionally and romantically with Scott Wittman.
This being said, it definitely feels like that the tone of the book suggests that Shaiman can’t believe how lucky he has been in his career – hence all the stories of the people he has been lucky enough to meet – including anecdotes to those such as Barbra Streisand and Mel Brooks for example and it is extraordinary to find out how far he has come in his career and to find out more about his technique in composing.
Overall, there is plenty of enjoyable stories from Broadway, film and beyond to enjoy but it feels as though there is still much to be said that for many reasons have been left unsaid. Still, it is entertaining, lively and provides a fascinating insight into the world of music composition.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️