Everyone has heard of George Balanchine. Few outside Russia know of Leonid Yakobson; Balanchinersquo;s contemporary; who remained in Leninrsquo;s Russia and survived censorship during the darkest days of Stalin. Like Shostakovich; Yakobson suffered for his art and yet managed to create a singular body of revolutionary dances that spoke to the Soviet condition. His work was often considered so culturally explosive that it was described as ldquo;like a bomb going off.rdquo; Based on untapped archival collections of photographs; films; and writings about Yakobsonrsquo;s work in Moscow and St. Petersburg for the Bolshoi and Kirov ballets; as well as interviews with former dancers; family; and audience members; this illuminating and beautifully written biography brings to life a hidden history of artistic resistance in the USSR through this brave artist; who struggled against officially sanctioned anti-Semitism while offering a vista of hope.
#4414455 in eBooks 2014-12-17 2014-12-17File Name: B00R623GHO
Review
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Larger than lifeBy ilprofessoreStella Adler was a force in the American theater; a larger than life actress; acting coach; the only American actress to have studied with Stanislavski; the mentor of Marlon Brando; the wife of Harold Clurman. This book; edited from the transcripts of lectures she gave to students in California; is more than a series of lessons on how to perform the plays of Americas greatest playwrights--ONeill; Miller; Williams; Inge; Odets and Albee--it is also an invaluable history book of a countrys ideals and dreams; mistakes and suppressions; and how they found expression through the handful of dramatists who managed somehow to have their voices heard on the commercial stage of Broadway. Adler contends that to gain the American dream of fame and success a writer or an actor must know his or her countrys history: when and why these classic plays were written; who were the men who had the courage to speak out; and how they reflected their moment in American time. She encourages her student actors to be big; big as the country; to make the theater a forum for unpleasant truths rather than escapism and mindless entertainment; In the course of these talks; Stella is never too modest to remind you how bright; talented; sexy and irresistible she was; how he knew everyone who was anyone; and what she said to them and they said to her. Those who are not actors will delight in the backstage gossip; and the sense of excitement all those bright young people of her generation felt because they sincerely believed that their voices; their theater; would change the world. Reading the book; you are left with the feeling that once upon a time giants walked; if not the earth; at least on that stretch of New York City where plays were performed and people paid to learn about themselves. Those days may be over. Those who remember them or wish for their return will find no better guide book to Americas golden age of theater than this amazing document of a life fully lived.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The Gold StandardBy T. BarksdaleI have seldom read a book that brought such an equal measure of enjoyment and learning. Ms. Adlers book provides the equivalent of a college semester of lectures and research on Americas master playwrights. But the verve; perception; and personality in the words provide the real joy. She not only presents the essence of the playwrights works; because she believes that an actors knowledge of the social and political environment in which the plays take place is the absolute core of good acting; she provides invaluable historical nuggets on each of the eras covered in the plays.Stella Adler proves she is truly one of a kind. Her insights on acting; for this layman on the subject; adds a unique dimension that draws the reader in and keeps him enthralled. The advice of this native Southerner: Want to read one of the best; concise synopses ever written of what the term "Southern culture" really means? Forget W.J. Cashs seminal work; "The Mind of the South." Read Stella Adlers review of Tennessee Williams "Summer and Smoke" in this book.Anyone who reads this book will come away a Stella Adler fan; her name high on the list of "people I wish I had known." No wonder a generation of Americas leading actors; led by Marlon Brando; virtually worshiped her. She was a national treasure; and the two books preserving her lectures are; too.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This is a perfect follow-up to the first volume on IbsenBy BSTIMELESSThis is a perfect follow-up to the first volume on Ibsen; Strindberg and Chekhov. There was and will never be another Stella Adler. Her voice; in each of these brilliant books; comes through quite strongly. They have changed my thinking in the most wondrous way. She proves that she is simply one of the greatest acting teachers of our time; and unrivaled in terms of script analysis. Barry Paris and Victoria Wilson deserve a lot of praise for putting these together so well. Stella Adler was epic. A force of nature and a powerful teacher. Absolutely thrilling!!!
