The boys from Syracuse : the Shuberts' theatrical empire / Foster Hirsch.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hirsch, Foster.

Contributor:

Gotham Book Mart Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shubert, Lee, 1873?-1953.

Shubert, Lee.

Shubert, Sam S., 1875-1905.

Shubert, Sam S.

Shubert, Jacob J., 1878?-1963.

Shubert, Jacob J.

Shubert Organization.

Theater--New York (State)--New York--History--20th century.

Theater.

History.

New York (State)--New York.

Theater--United States--History--20th century.

United States.

Theatrical producers and directors--United States--Biography.

Theatrical producers and directors.

Shubert Organization--History.

Schubert family.

Genre:

Biographies.

Penn Provenance:

Laurence, Paula (inscription) (Gotham Book Mart Collection copy)

Hirsch, Foster (autograph) (inscription) (Gotham Book Mart Collection copy)

Gotham Book Mart (former owner) (Gotham Book Mart Collection copy)

Physical Description:

x, 342 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Carbondale : Southern Illinois University Press, [1998]

Summary:

The sons of a religious fanatic, the Shubert brothers from Syracuse -- Sam, Lee, and J. J. --" seemed unlikely casting for the most ruthless titans in the history of American theatre", notes biographer Foster Hirsch. But since the turn of the century, the Shuberts and their heirs have exercised an un-equaled power over Broadway and the road. Not until now has there been a complete account of their lives and the evolution of their business.

During their heyday from 1905 to the crash of 1929, the Shuberts presented a dozen or more shows each season in New York and twice that number on tour, featuring the most respected and sought-after stars of the day: AI Jolson, Richard Mansfield, Beatrice Lillie, Carmen Miranda, Lillian Russell, Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice, Mae West, Fred Astaire, and the Three Stooges, among many others.

Nearly illiterate, the Shuberts conquered commercial theatre, in part because rivals saw them as malaprop-spouting yokels from Syracuse who posed no threat. They were excellent businessmen who seldom financed their enterprises with their own money and who instinctively understood star power. Although jealousy and rivalry dominated their relationships among themselves, they believed in the blood bond and stuck together when attacked from the outside.

The story of the Shuberts is an epic tale of business successes and shenanigans on an enormous scale. Embellished with original interview material, this vivid chronicle is a major contribution to the history of the American theatre and is certain to become an essential reference work.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 327-333) and index.

Local Notes:

Gotham Book Mart Collection copy has dustjacket retained.

Gotham Book Mart Collection copy has ms. inscription on half title page: "To Paula Laurence - with gratitude and best wishes - Foster Hirsch May 1999".

Gotham Book Mart Collection copy has variety of correspondence, postcards and newspaper clippings laid in.

ISBN:

0809321564

OCLC:

37527544