Writer's Block

by Bruce Kimmel

Book Overview

They say that trying out a new musical can be murder. It doesn't help that the show has a terrible second act, that the author has writer's block, that most of the company can't stand the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1420809636
• ISBN13: 9781420809633
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Writer's Block review

The true test of a good book is if you can't put it down. Well, in that case, WRITER'S BLOCK passes with flying colors! Set in 1969 in the world of musical theatre, this murder mystery takes you through the out of town try-outs of a new musical, BUS AND TRUCK. You get to meet Arthur, the book writer who can't seem to finish Act Two (hence the title, Writer's Block); Stanley the brilliant young composer who stubbornly refuses to cut any of his songs; Galen the talented director/choreographer; and Conrad the bossy producer who wants a hit show. The story is compelling and full of twists and turns, including a very surprising "twist" half way through the book. This is a mystery like no other you've read. I would definitely recommend it.

A Novel That Brings Theatre People to Life--and One to Death

Once again, writer-actor-director-producer-singer-bon-vivant Bruce Kimmel has shown that he is a veritable polymath. This time with a page-turning mystery with twists within twists and a fascinating back-story. With its raunchy language and some truly nasty characters, Writer's Block is quite a departure from the memoir trilogy Benjamin Kritzer, Kritzerland, and Kritzer Time, except that it shares Kimmel's whacky sense of humor and fascination with the vagueries of the English language and all things theatrical. Set during the out-of-town tryouts and opening of a 1969 Broadway musical, the story evokes a the world of pre-Disneyfication Broadway, a world well known to the author, where baroque producers like David Merrick love'em or hate'em, still could make their mark on theatre through shear force of personality without the backing of a multinational corporation. As we follow the roman-à-clé ins and outs of assorted theatrical types from city to city-with an eventual excursion to the City of Angels (in more than one sense)-the story turns from who'll-do-it to who-done-it to much more than that, with clues laid out subtly from the very beginning, much like Perkins and Sondheim's The Last of Sheila. And even with a double twist midnovel that practically pulls the rug out from under the reader, Kimmel follows the rule of a good mystery: lead the reader into increased confusion, and then leave him saying, "Of course, of course. I should have known. It all makes sense."

Writing A Show Can Be Murder

The subtitle of WRITER'S BLOCK could be "Another Turn of the Screw." Halfway through this book, the author turns everything upside down with more twists and turns than a worm inside an apple. Besides providing a time capsule of the 1969 New York theatre scene and a lot of insight into the assembling of a Broadway musical from that period, Mr Kimmel provides some laughs and a fascinating mystery filled with surprises and show biz personalities; guessing the people they're based on is part of the fun. This is a great book for both the mystery fan and the musical comedy aficionado.

Don't miss this mystery!

I was excited to read this book because it combined to of my favorite genres - murder mysteries and musical theatre! The characters are interesting and kept me guessing the entire time. I won't give away any of the twists and turns in this book, but I will say this: YOU WON'T GUESS THE END! This is hands down one of the most fun mysteries I have ever read. I could not put it down.

Singing the praises of this gem of a mystery

As a past actress and present screenwriter, WRITER'S BLOCK, a backstage mystery, is just the kind of book I look forward to reading -- and thus always begin with some trepidation, afraid that I'll be disappointed. I'm happy to report that there was no need to be afraid with this gem of a book. WRITER'S BLOCK is a clever, funny, hard-to-put-down romp of a mystery -- as well as an insider's tour of how to (or how NOT to) get a new musical on its feet and ready for Broadway. Author Bruce Kimmel's insider's knowledge of the world of musical comedy serves him well in this unusual mystery. To say what makes it "unusual" would be a spoiler. So just take my word for it -- you're in for some delightful surprises as well as some great laughs. By the way -- you don't have to be a fan of musical comedy to enjoy this terrific book -- but if you happen to be one, you'll have great fun figuring out who the characters are "based" upon. Gower Champion, Mary Martin, Bob Fosse, David Merrick and a whole list of the usual suspects will pop into your head. To sum up, may I just say I'm absolutely thrilled that Bruce Kimmel does not suffer from writer's block.