Synopses & Reviews
Broadways most respected (and feared) commentator pulls back the curtain on its stars, its producers, and its mega-hits to reveal all the shocking drama, intrigue, and power plays that happened off stage.
Razzle Dazzle is a provocative, no-holds-barred narrative account of the people and the money and the power that re-invented an iconic quarter of New York City, turning its gritty back alleys and sex-shops into the glitzy, dazzling Great White Way—and bringing a crippled New York from the brink of bankruptcy to its glittering glory.
In the mid-1970s Times Square was the seedy symbol of New Yorks economic decline. Its once shining star, the renowned Shubert Organization, was losing theaters to make way for parking lots. Bernard Jacobs and Jerry Schoenfeld, two ambitious board members, saw the crumbling company was ripe for takeover and staged a coup amidst corporate intrigue, personal betrayals, and criminal investigations. Once Jacobs and Schoenfeld solidified their power, they turned a collapsed theater-owning holding company into one of the most successful entertainment empires in the world, ultimately backing many of Broadways biggest hits, including A Chorus Line, Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Mamma Mia! They also sparked the revitalization of Broadway and the renewal of Times Square.
Now Michael Riedel tells the stories of the Shubert Organization and the shows that re-built a city in grand style, revealing the backstage drama that often rivaled what transpired onstage, exposing bitter rivalries, unlikely alliances, and—of course—scintillating gossip. This is a great story, told with wit and passion.
Review
“This book is a love letter to Broadway, both a splendid history of this American institution and a wonderful account of how art gets made. It made me fall for Broadways magic all over again: its history and its myths, its heroes and its villains, its up and its downs, its dirt and its dish, its failure and its glory.” Hugh Jackman
Review
“There have only been a handful of books in history that have come close to accurately depicting the energy and drive that run the business of Broadway. Michael Riedels Razzle Dazzle joins that very short list that includes William Goldmans legendary The Season and Richard Maneys classic Fanfare—and is every bit the equal of those books that those of us who love Broadway can recite by heart.” Scott Rudin
Review
“Razzle Dazzle is a fantastically fun book, full of high energy, anecdotes, and wit. Michael Riedel lays bare the secret history of Broadway in all its grease paint, shady dealings, and shining moments. Written with love but also a piercing eye, this is one show no one should miss.”
Amanda Foreman
Review
“If you've ever wondered how Times Square got its name, how the great New York theatres were built and who they were named after; or how on Broadway the word 'ice' can also mean corruption, Michael Riedel's revealing book on the history of the Great White Way will be a brilliant gift for any reader. Its an epic and entertaining study of the stage and the impresarios and artists who became not just legends—but very wealthy ones at that. And while there may still be some 'ice' melting on the streets of mid-town, Riedel shows us that what the scalpers, producers and bookies, in and around Shubert Alley, were doing with kickbacks and bribes, makes the moral decay in Washington look like a badly run lemonade stand. Riedel's journey unfolds faster than a curtain going up on opening night; and his nimble choreography with language brings a full understanding and appreciation of how the artistry, decisions, and backstage shenanigans made these men and women of Broadway titans of the American theater. A must read.” Kevin Spacey
Review
Riedel brings enthusiasm and authority to this rich, lively debut history of New York theater in the 1970s and '80s…. Riedel masterfully builds suspense as he chronicles productions from idea to stage to reviews to Tony Awards. A captivating gift to theater lovers. Kirkus (starred)
Review
"Riedel may be known, where he is known, for his sharp wit and sharper tongue, but when it comes to Broadway as an institution, as a history, and as a legend, hes very much a man in love." Booklist
Review
“Just finished RAZZLE DAZZLE, a vivid page-turner thats basically a history of Broadway by longtime theater observer Michael Riedel. It starts with a ticket-scalping scandal that practically brought down the industry, then flashes back to the sharp-elbowed early days of the Shubert empire, and then fills in with anecdotes both well-known (to aficionados) and long-forgotten (by nearly everyone). Startling deaths, unexpected demolitions, backstage gossip, inside stories — its every bit as theatrical as its subject matter.” Bob Mondello, NPR
About the Author
Michael Riedel has been a theater columnist for theandlt;iandgt;andnbsp;New York Postandnbsp;andlt;/iandgt;since 1998. He worked at theandnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Daily Newsandnbsp;andlt;/iandgt;(New York) for five years before returning to theandlt;iandgt;andnbsp;Postandlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;and has written forandnbsp;andlt;iandgt;The Guardian, Harperandrsquo;s Bazaar, Mirabella, Departuresandlt;/iandgt;, andandnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Commentary.andnbsp;andlt;/iandgt;Riedel is the cohost ofandnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Theater Talkandlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;with PBS, is a contributor to the BBC, and has appeared onandnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Larry King Liveandlt;/iandgt;, the andlt;iandgt;Todayandlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;show,andnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Good Morning Americaandlt;/iandgt;, and many other news programs. He lives in New York City.andnbsp;andlt;iandgt;Razzle Dazzleandlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;is his first book.