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Description
Director John Doyle is an unlikely revolutionary. Described by critics as 'the saviour of the Broadway musical' , the 'amazing Mr Musicals' and 'the man who changed the face of the American musical', his name alone has become synonymous with a style of reinvention that opened doors for what commercial musical theatre could be in the 21st century.
In his first book Doyle presents a reflection of the 50-year theatrical journey of a boy who never dreamt this could happen to him. With a reputation for thinking outside of the box and credited with helping create a new art-form - that of actor-musician led musical theatre - he was simply working at his craft and trying to earn a living.
From the Highlands of Scotland through to prestigious regional theatres, Broadway and multiple Tony Awards thanks to revolutionary productions of Sweeney Todd, Company and The Color Purple, this reflective yet practical book tracks a rich and celebrated journey in theatre from one of the most important and recognized contemporary artists.
Through anecdotes, industry insight and practical advice, this book inspires students of theatre both young and old to look into themselves and discover what makes each of us unique. From working directly with esteemed artists such as Stephen Sondheim, John Weidman, John Kander and Terrence McNally to actors such as Patti LuPone, Chita Rivera, Judy Kuhn and Michael Cerveris, it also considers the challenges of programming and running a prestigious New York theatre at the height of Covid and against an ever shifting social background. This book is a record of a remarkable career in the theatre that demonstrates how art comes from within and our journeys make us who we are.
Table of Contents
Chapter One - A Boy of No Importance
Chapter Two - The Only White Guy on the Bus
Chapter Three - The Early Artistic Director Years
Chapter Four - The Later Artistic Director Years
Chapter Five - Thinking Out of The Box
Chapter Six - Why God was a Woman
Chapter Seven - Then Along Came Steve
Chapter Eight- Building the Box Set
Chapter Nine - Give my Regards to Broadway
Chapter Ten - Now I was Driving the Bus!
Chapter Eleven - From The Met to Sydney Opera House
Chapter Twelve - Opening Doors
Appendix
Product details

Published | Jan 22 2026 |
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Format | Hardback |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 288 |
ISBN | 9781350508521 |
Imprint | Methuen Drama |
Dimensions | 234 x 156 mm |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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With this incisive, deeply personal and entertaining book John continues to open doors that will inspire and enlighten his readers just as he has for me.
Patti LuPone
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John Doyle has been one of my favourite directors for many years. He always tells the story of the play with such clarity and artistry. Now, I think he is one of my favourite writers. I was very moved by the way he writes about his life and his work. It is essential reading for anyone who loves Theatre.
Donna McKechnie
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Some of the most joyful and profoundly rewarding memories I have of my life in the theatre have been the bits of life spent in a rehearsal room with John Doyle. In this marvellous book, John leaves the door open for a curious reader to share some of the insight, questioning, playfulness, rigour, celebration and deep respect for humanity in the form of an actor in a space that the sandbox of a rehearsal room led by John will always be. John's work has always aimed unerringly at paring everything (a performance, a story, a production, a gesture) down to its essence. In his humbly ferocious way, John gives us a memoir that is a guide, an invitation, an inspiration, an absolute treat, and nothing less than essential.
Michael Cerveris
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During the summer of 2017, I performed as Touchstone in a production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. John Doyle was both the Producing Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company, and director of the play. John suffered my performance while teaching me a sobering lesson about essentialism. In his new book, Opening Doors, John achieves a similar service regarding the three taboo subjects we all were taught to avoid discussing--"sex, religion and politics." Just as he opened the door to more authentic acting for me, John also opens the door to the truth, that the inclusion of woman power, equity of LGBTQ# rights, and the acceptance of legitimacy and legacy for people of color are necessary to making the 21st century an authentic one. When life is manipulated to not reflect art, then art must liberate the reflection life.
André De Shields
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John Doyle has written an exhilarating account of a rich, vigorous, complex, courageous life in the theater. When you get to the end of it you may well ask yourself, as I did--well what the hell have I been doing? A wonderful, rewarding read.
John Weidman