All I Ever Needed Was the Music: A Biography of Edward Kleban, Lyricist of "A Chorus Line" - Softcover

Sprayberry, Phillip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1682736083 ISBN 13: 9781682736081

Publisher: BookPatch LLC, The, 2016

Synopsis

“All I Ever Needed Was the Music: A Biography of Edward Kleban, Lyricist of 'A Chorus Line'” by Phillip Sprayberry is the first biography that reviews the life of this largely under-recognized talent of the 20th Century. Edward Lawrence Kleban (1939-1987) was a figure of vital importance to the 20th Century musical theatre community whose value to the genre was, and is, underestimated. This biography discusses his personal and professional life and his value to musical theatre by examining his work as a record producer, as a student and teacher at the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, as a composer, and as a lyricist, especially regarding his contribution to the multi-award winning musical, "A Chorus Line." His work before, during, and following "A Chorus Line" is detailed with his professional life. His emotional troubles that proved to be a stumbling block to his success are included as a part of his personal life. “All I Ever Needed Was the Music” strives to put a face on Kleban and establish a connection between him and a public that has adored his lyrics for more than three decades. It introduces some of Kleban’s unknown and unproduced work, including his favorite, a musical called Gallery. It explores his contribution to the genre and places Kleban and his work in context with his predecessors, contemporaries, and successors. Additionally, it recognizes the organization established in his will, the Kleban Foundation, an award program for theatrical lyricist and librettists with a monetary prize to allow the recipient the financial freedom to devote time to creative projects. The great paradox of Edward Kleban was his yearning for success coupled with self-imposed stumbling blocks and a lifetime of emotional issues. Here is the life of a composer and lyricist whose only recognized work is "A Chorus Line," but who strove to make a life in musical theatre.

About this title

About the Author

Phillip Sprayberry is an arts educator with more than 30 years experience in music, theatre, and musical theatre. He earned his doctoral degree with distinction at Drew University and a master of arts in musical theatre from New York University and a bachelor of arts in music education from Lipscomb University. Sprayberry is media relations coordinator and a member of the adjunct communication faculty at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Edition details

• Publisher: BookPatch LLC, The
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1682736083
• ISBN 13: 9781682736081
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 222