Opening Doors: Reimagining the American Musical

About the Book

“In this honest, self reflective piece, John so beautifully and succinctly shares of his experience in theatre and the passion with which he pursues the opportunity to create art that is connective tissue for humanity and a reflection of the time we live in.” (Cynthia Erivo, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning star of Wicked)

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 has opened doors to what commercial musical theatre can be in the 21st century.

In his first book Doyle reflects on the 50-year theatrical journey taken by a boy who never dreamt it could happen to him. Through simply working at his craft and trying to earn a living he gained a reputation for thinking outside of the box and is credited with helping create a new art form – that of actor-musician led musical theatre.

From the Highlands of Scotland to prestigious regional theatres and Broadway, he has achieved 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 its 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:

Preface and Foreword
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

About the Author :
John Doyle has been Artistic Director of four prestigious UK theatres. He has an extensive directing career in theatre, film and opera. His credits in the US include Broadway productions of Sweeney Todd (Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical); Company (Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical); The Visit (Tony Nomination for Best Musical); The Color Purple (Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical); A Catered Affair (Drama Desk Nomination for Best Director of a Musical), as well as Carmen Jones (Lortel Award for Best Revival of a Musical); Peter Grimes (Metropolitan Opera); The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (LA Opera); and Road Show (The Public Theater). John has numerous theatre credits in London’s West End and throughout the UK. Until recently he was Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company in New York City and a Professor at Princeton University, USA.

Review :
Doyle has just published a valuable, highly accessible memoir in which he outlines both his prolific career and his practical and theoretical views ... Anyone with a love of theater will find much to appreciate. John Doyle, at some point in this work, shares that he hopes he has opened doors for someone. The truth is, I am one of what I am sure is many of the people behind some of the doors he has opened. In this honest, self-reflective piece, John so beautifully and succinctly shares of his experience in theatre and the passion with which he pursues the opportunity to create art that is connective tissue for humanity and a reflection of the time we live in. I can say from personal experience that reading this comes a close second only to listening to him, for it is almost as if he is in the room with you. His dulcet Scottish lilt is even in his writing, don’t let that fool you, for there is always biting conviction to follow, and follow we shall. 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. 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. 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. 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 of life. 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.