Elegantly written.... Granted access to previously unpublished sources, Hirsch describes how, for the Shuberts, Broadway was Rome with a casting couch.
The Boys from Syracuse
The Shuberts' Theatrical Empire
Description
From 1905 to the crash of 1929, Sam Shubert (1874-1905) and his brothers Lee (1874-1953) and J. J. (1878-1963), despite poor beginnings and near-illiteracy, created a theater monopoly unrivaled in history. Their ruthless business tactics and showmanship made 42nd Street the heart of American popular theater and won them the most sought-after stars of the day, including Al Jolson, Carmen Miranda, Eddie Cantor, Fanny Brice, Mae West, and Fred Astaire.
Reviews
Hirsch presents the fascinating Shubert story, drawing on interviews with family members and others who worked for the brothers.
In The Boys from Syracuse: The Shuberts' Theatrical Empire, Foster Hirsch reveals an epic tale of business successes and shenanigans on an enormous scale. Making good use of original interview material, this vividly written chronicle... is an outstanding addition to the history of the American theater.
A sweeping account of the Shubert family saga and the transformation of the twentieth-century theater.
