Great theater books of 2021 capture spirit of Sondheim and mavericks of the theater world

It seems extra fitting that I just about began and ended the year reading books about Stephen Sondheim, the pioneering and legendary Broadway composer who died Nov. 26 at age 91.

A new encyclopedic survey of his work and a colleague’s reflections of their collaboration on “Sunday in the Park with George” were among the theater-related titles that captured my attention this year, and I wanted to share them with you. Two are particularly timely. One is about Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” which Asolo Repertory Theatre will produce in January, and another, from 10 years ago, is worth another look as the new film version of “West Side Story” is in theaters.

You may want to gift them to yourself or the theater fans on your holiday list.

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‘The Stephen Sondheim Encylopedia’

Rick Pender (Rowman & Littlefield)

Rick Pender’s 638-page guide is about as comprehensive and definitive an overview of Sondheim’s legacy as you’re likely to find. There are extensive entries about all the shows, key songs and the people who worked with Sondheim or starred in his musicals. It’s an easy-to-use reference guide, but also highly readable and written and edited by a reliable source. Pender is a Cincinnati-based writer and theater critic who oversaw the quarterly “The Sondheim Review” for 12 years and created the EverythingSondheim.org website that was shuttered in 2017 before it was acquired by the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va. It’s fun to just open a page and read about demo recordings, background references, or a profile of one of the stars and their connection to the songwriter. The book lists for $135, but is available at a discounted price through RickPenderWrites.com.

‘Putting it Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ ’

James Lapine (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

There have been plenty of histories about the creation of various musicals and plays over the years, but few have been put together in quite the way James Lapine approaches “Sunday in the Park with George.” He wrote the book for the musical and directed it. He was an off-Broadway, avant-garde theater kind of guy with no real connection to Broadway when he started working with Sondheim on an idea in the early 1980s. Rather than just rely on his own memories decades later, Lapine interviewed many of the people who worked on the show – designers, producers, stage managers, conductors and cast members.

He uses their memories of various moments to trigger his own, or his newer reflections of what was happening. It was a show that never fully came together until just a day or two before opening night. Those who love Sondheim, and particularly those with an affinity for “Sunday” will be thrilled by every page. The book also includes the full script.

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‘Something’s Coming, Something Good: ‘West Side Story’ and the American Imagination’

Misha Berson (Applause Books)

Misha Berson, who eventually became a Seattle-based theater critic, grew up obsessed with the original cast album of “West Side Story.” Over the years and during her career, she saw many productions and turned that fascination into a book, first published in 2011, that explored the creation of the show and why it had such an impact on her and a generation or two of others. Though it’s been a decade since it was first released, the book is timely once again with the release of Stephen Spielberg’s new film version of “West Side Story.” Berson provides a fascinating backstory amid personal reflections.

‘Another Day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ in the 21st Century’

Howard Sherman (Methuen)

Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” is one of the most produced plays in the United States, frequently staged by high schools, community theaters and professional companies. In his new book, Howard Sherman, a theater executive and public relations director, explores why, 83 years after its premiere, the play remains relevant and so powerful today. He focuses on a dozen different productions staged over the last two decades by talking to directors and actors who played key roles – the Stage Manager and Emily Webb. I’ll be writing more about him and his thoughts in advance of the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, which begins Jan. 12.

‘Mike Nichols, A Life’

Mark Harris (Penguin Press)

I apparently didn’t know as much about Mike Nichols as I thought before reading Mark Harris’ enlightening and highly engaging biography. I was aware of his long comedic partnership with Elaine May, and that he had a seemingly golden touch on the many plays and movies he directed (despite a few clinkers). Harris tells a rich story of a man who struggled with his image since his immigrant childhood. He was a keen observer of other people, had a wickedly sharp mind and a penchant for comedy and how to get the best from the actors he worked with. The book goes far beyond the “and then he directed ...” approach, to provide emotional and intellectual insight into the way he helped establish Neil Simon as a Broadway hitmaker, tamed Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to make his film directorial debut with “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” before moving on to “The Graduate,” “The Birdcage” and other film hits. It was a career of tremendous highs and horrible lows where he often lost his vision and focus, which Harris captures in a fascinating and engaging style.

‘Emily Mann: Rebel Artist of the American Theater’

Alexis Greene (Applause Books)

At a time when the American regional theater movement was just gaining traction across the country, Emily Mann was doing her part to help shape its growth. The playwright and director spent 30 years as the artistic director of the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, where “Our Town” had its world premiere in 1938. Mann is also a playwright of such plays as “Execution of Justice,” “Having Our Say” and the recent “Gloria: A Life” about Gloria Steinem. I’ve just started reading Green’s book, which explores women in the theater and Mann’s broad impact on the industry. For a time, Mann headed the National Artist Advisory Committee for the Hermitage Artist Retreat, which helped recommend artists for fellowships at the Englewood venue.

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Great theater books of 2021, from Sondheim to Emily Mann