Behind The Mask...No More - Softcover

Nease, Byron

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1419655299 ISBN 13: 9781419655296

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

A Lesson in Hope: Re-Invention in the Face of Adversity! Long before Byron Nease donned the mask to play the Phantom, he had learned to show the world one face while concealing another. On stage and off, his life has been about what it means to be a Leading Man. That role has meant constant re-invention, often in the face of adversity. An inspiring story of survival and personal, perpetual full-throttle re-invention, Nease’s life holds lessons and encouragement for all who tackle life's challenges. His were, casting off the childhood legacy of family dysfunction and abuse, pursuing the dream career through trials as well as triumphs, coming to terms with life, love and loss, caring for an aged loved one, and managing a long term illness through the pain, costs and fear. 'BEHIND THE MASK…No More' evokes the glamour, humor, and drama of Nease’s 25 years as a performer. His portrayal of the lover, Raoul, contrasted dramatically with his role of the Phantom. Hero vs. Monster. The grief, hope love and resilience in his life and the quest for love and meaning in which Nease seems to make him not so much a leading man, but every man.

About this title

About the Author

Jane Pauley called him “Transcendent!” Angela Lansbury said: “He is a feast of musical inspiration!” Making his Broadway debut opposite Miss Lansbury as Patrick in Mame, he has, in the past twenty years, played most of the romantic heroes in the American Musical Theater. His portrayal of Raoul contrasted sharply to his role as the Phantom. Across the US audiences have thrilled to his portrayals in Camelot, Annie Get Your Gun, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Carousel, South Pacific ... to name a few. Byron has concertized from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl with dozens of symphonies under illustrious conductors Skitch Henderson and Peter Nero. Honored to have sung at The White House as well as having spoken in the Senate Chambers, he has also performed high atop New York City at the world renowned Rainbow Room and sung in over 100 countries around the world. Growing up in the great tradition of leading men, Byron’s charisma has more to do with heart than style ... truth than bravado ... courage and dignity than false machismo. This recording artist speaks and sings eloquently about his diverse career, celebrating the synthesis of life’s journey. His one-man show From the Parsonage to Broadway inspired him to write his new book 'BEHIND THE MASK ... No More.' On PBS, Mr. Nease starred in Ageless Friends: Where Harold & Maude meets The Odd Couple. Also on PBS, Mr. Nease co-starred in Broadway Love Stories, The Healing Touch of Mercy and From the Parsonage to Broadway which both chronicles his quest to define religion from spirit. Mr. Nease can be heard on the multi-platinum original Canadian cast recording of The Phantom of the Opera, Bittersuite, Love Stories, Leading Men Don’t Dance as well his own critically acclaimed solo CD Byron Nease – Listen To My Heart, his live concert performance of From the Parsonage to Broadway, and his recently released 'Byron Nease ... TODAY!' Byron Nease has taken the lead on and off stage. He has found his own voice.

Review

An HIV-positive Broadway veteran examines his life and his journey toward self-acceptance. Springing from conservative roots in Southern California, Nease’s adolescence is the first time he’s compelled to don a mask—his burgeoning sexuality creates a secret divide between him, his Nazarene minister father and the rest of his family. Hiding behind a carefully choreographed portrayal of the boy society expects him to be, the author taps into acting talent that eventually leads him to New York and a career in the theater. Finally comfortable with himself, Nease reveals his true face to everyone in his life and saves his masquerading for the stage. His career highlights include a role in Angela Lansbury’s revival of Mame and, crucial to the memoir’s mask motif, both Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera and Maury Yeston’s Phantom. When he is diagnosed with HIV, however, he finds himself wearing a new mask and must once again find the strength to show the world his true self. Because of its strong thematic backbone—and sometimes in spite of it—Nease’s memoir is a success. While the idea of a gay man spending his life behind “masks” may come off as cliché, Nease’s having played the romantic lead in Webber’s Phantom and the grotesque antihero in Yeston’s version lends an unexpected sincerity to the book. The narrative, delivered in a calm, meditative voice, oscillates between serious life analysis and fond recollection of theatrical triumphs. Not everything fits cleanly into the mask motif, but when employed correctly, it is highly effective. Nease enduring plastic surgery—to prevent his wilting looks from ending his career—is particularly significant. The story of one man’s struggle to find inner peace, the book is an incisive look at the joys and hardships of a career in theater—but its quiet universality elevates it to an essential portrait of unwavering stamina and inspiring heart.

Edition details

• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1419655299
• ISBN 13: 9781419655296
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 180