Fictional books about theatre and backstage life

[04sdwall]

I have always noticed that theatre has a lot of book worms in it including crew members reading books between cues.  Are there any good books that anyones read.  I read a pretty cool murder mystery book about a murder in a Broadway show.  The book wasn't that great but it was a really cool concept and gave an interesting perspective into the "underground of theatre"  I'm always looking for a good book to read.
~Sten

[centaura]

There was an old science fiction series that was about a touring theatre troupe that was touring in a rocket to several planets.  I am out of town so can't go look it up in my library.  It was not a very good book, and some of the theatrical bits weren't very believable - who would hire someone who's never done a show to be the sole techie?  But anyway, it was an interesting concept.
I'll try to remember to look up the author and series name when I get home.

-Centaura

[Maribeth]

the deptford trilogy by robertson davies. it's a long trilogy, but the third book, world of wonders has one of the most interesting descriptions of backstage life i've ever read. it describes the tour of a reportory company through canada in i think the middle part of the 20th century. there are at least a few descriptions of stage managers in it- one of the main characters functions as an asm.

a good read, but a big time investment.

[kiwitechgirl]

Quite a few of Ngaio Marsh's murder mysteries are set in the theatre - Final Curtain, Opening Night, Hand in Glove, Light Thickens - and they're all very good.  Light Thickens is probably my favourite one, no prizes for guessing which play the action is centred around!

[Balletdork]

ummm.... I think the Sci Fi theater book is a series called STARSHIP TROUPERS by Christopher Stasheff... and I liked it quite a lot.

[centaura]

You get the gold star - yes that's the name, and the author.  Its been ages since I read it.  Do you know if it ever went beyond three books?  Its concept if I remember was to be a whole series, but I don't think it kept going.

-Centaura

[Balletdork]

Yup... it petered out after 3...

And... maybe Christopher Stasheff died? I'll have to google.

[Balletdork]

Oops... I'm how rumor's get started... Christopher Stasheff is in no way dead.

He actually teaches radio and television at the University of New Mexico, at least wikipedia says he does.... And those Starship Troupers were publishes in the early 90's- while I was in HS, so maybe I remember them as being better than they are.... 

[Hopela]

There is a great novel called "Broken for You" about a Production Stage Manager who falls in love with her hunky assistant. Its SO unrealistic, but a good read.

[thehayworth]

There's a science fiction short story about a man who runs the controls for a play in the future where actors have been replaced by robots.  One of the robots malfunctions and he as to go on for it.  Does anyone know the title?  It was great.  I think it won an award.