SHOW BUSINESS IS NO BUSINESS

A once over roughly for the parts and parcels of the theatrical game by on who has been bitten -- to the quick -- this has an introduction by Russell Crouse which more than prepares the reader for what is to come. For Mr. Hirschfeld, whose own illustrations are part of the book, gives a ghastly, glacial and acidly glib appraisal of the state of the drama (commercial experimental, musical, etc) in metropolitan New York -- with a necessary glance at out of town try-outs. He takes cognizance too of the performances off-stage as well as on -- on the part of producers, playwrights, directors, designers, and even actors. He unveils the secrets of auditions for angels and casts, of rehearsals and the final mystery of playhouses. Biting the tongue in the cheek completely off, his survey of the high, low and Broadway to ulcers is bright, light entertainment.