Reviews

Free for All: Joe Papp, the Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told by Kenneth Turan, Joseph Papp

dkrane's review against another edition

5.0

I’m biased because of my time working there, but this book is a thrilling journey through the founding and development of one of the most important theatrical institutions ever made. Insightful, exciting, with some fun gossip and intriguing works I was introduced to. Highly recommend for those interested in professional theater.

slerner310's review

4.0

This book is a delight! Makes me laugh out loud in the subway and brightens my day.

alexislynae's review

5.0

I was really worried this would be a dry look at the history of the Public. I was wrong to worry. The chapters are broken down into vignettes and read extremely quickly. The array of people spoken with is wonderful.

I love that for the most part each chapter focuses on a specific show, which allowed me to really develop a better sense for what some of the shows I had not heard of are about. I was thrilled to read chapters about Hair, A Chorus Line, The Normal Heart, and the early days of Shakespeare in the Park, which sounded unreal in the best way.

I highly recommend this to anyone even slightly interested in theatre, and particularly in New York theatre.

drewsof's review against another edition

5.0

An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to create theater. Joe Papp was the greatest impressario to ever live - we won't see his like again. He was lucky to live in the time that he did, because he could create the game instead of just try to play it. It has been corrupted since his heyday and he'd probably hate the State of the Art today... but goddamn times were good. If this book doesn't inspire the artist in you, you shouldn't be making art.

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