Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Working on a Song by Anaïs Mitchell - Available

Working on a Song

The Lyrics of HADESTOWN

by Anaïs Mitchell
ebook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Read a sample Read a sample
1 of 1 copy available
"Working On A Song is one of the best books about lyric writing for the theater I've read."—Lin-Manuel Miranda
Anaïs Mitchell named to TIME's List of the 100 Most Influential People in the World of 2020
An illuminating book of lyrics and stories from Hadestown—the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical—from its author, songwriter Anaïs Mitchell with a foreword by Steve Earle
 
On Broadway, this fresh take on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has become a modern classic. Heralded as “The best new musical of the season,” by The Wall Street Journal, and “Sumptuous. Gorgeous. As good as it gets,” by The New York Times, the show was a breakout hit, with its poignant social commentary, and spellbinding music and lyrics.
 
In this book, Anaïs Mitchell takes readers inside her more than decade’s-long process of building the musical from the ground up—detailing her inspiration, breaking down the lyrics, and opening up the process of creation that gave birth to Hadestown. Fans and newcomers alike will love this deeply thoughtful, revealing look at how the songs from “the underground” evolved, and became the songs we sing again and again.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 6, 2020

  • Formats

    • Kindle Book

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9780593182581

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9780593182581
      • File size: 15260 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      July 1, 2020

      Retelling the Greek myth of naive yet earnest Orpheus and tough yet vulnerable Eurydice, Hadestown opened on Broadway to critical acclaim in 2019. In a series of short chapters, singer, songwriter, and playwright Mitchell movingly traces the history of the musical as it evolved from a community project in Vermont in 2016-17 to a 2010 concept album followed by productions off-Broadway (2016), at Edmonton's Citadel Theatre (2017), and at London's National Theatre (2018) before its Broadway debut. By sharing her songwriting process, Mitchell offers fascinating details behind each lyric, verse, and song, and explains how noteworthy songs such as "Wait for Me" and "Why We Build the Wall" have progressed in each production. In between these anecdotes, she explores other central characters, including Hades and Persephone in the underworld, as well as Hermes, conductor of both souls and the story. In Mitchell's words, Hadestown is a musical of metaphors with elements of surprise and change; the lack of a resolution in a musical that balances seriousness and humor allows audiences to fill in the blanks. VERDICT Fans of Hadestown, especially, will gain a better understanding of Mitchell's lyricism, while theater lovers, generally, will appreciate insight into the dramaturgy. A captivating read.--Stephanie Sendaula, Library Journal

      Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading