In this riveting and surprising personal history, John Lithgow
shares a backstage view of his own struggle, crisis, and discovery,
revealing the early life and career that took place out of the
public eye and before he became a nationally known star.
Above all, Lithgow''s memoir is a tribute to his most important
influence: his father, Arthur Lithgow, who, as an actor, director,
producer, and great lover of Shakespeare, brought theater to
John''s boyhood. From bedtime stories to Arthur''s illustrious
productions, performance and storytelling were constant and
cherished parts of family life. Drama tells of the
Lithgows'' countless moves between Arthur''s gigs-John attended
eight secondary schools before flourishing onstage at Harvard-and
details with poignancy and sharp recollection the moments that
introduced a budding young actor to the undeniable power of
theater.
Before Lithgow gained fame with the film The World According
to Garp and the television show 3rd Rock from the
Sun, his early years were full of scenes both hilarious and
bittersweet. A shrewd acting performance saved him from duty in
Vietnam. His involvement with a Broadway costar brought an end to
his early first marriage. The theater worlds of New York and London
come alive as Lithgow relives his collaborations with renowned
performers and directors, including Mike Nichols, Bob Fosse, Liv
Ullmann, and Meryl Streep. His ruminations on the nature of
theater, film acting, and storytelling cut to the heart of why
actors are driven to perform, and why people are driven to watch
them do it.
Lithgow''s memory is clear and his wit sharp, and much of the
humor that runs throughout Drama comes at his own expense.
But he also chronicles the harrowing moments of his past,
reflecting with moving candor on friends made and lost, mistakes
large and small, and the powerful love of a father who set him on
the road to a life onstage.
Illuminating, funny, affecting, and thoroughly engrossing,
Drama raises the curtain on the making of one of our most
beloved actors.
