3.5 Stars

This memoir was written by Joe Papp's fourth (and final) wife Gail Merrifield Papp. Joe was an iconic figure in the theatre world of New York City. He established "Shakespeare in the Park" which was a way for New Yorkers to see free Shakespeare productions in Central Park on its Delacorte Theatre open-air outdoor stage. This theatre director and producer also saved the empty Astor Library in the East Village of Manhattan from the wrecking ball in a "Landmarks for Sale" situation by creating The Public Theatre in 1967. It housed 5 theatres and administrative offices to nurture new talent. Two of the plays that went on to great acclaim that originated at The Public Theatre were "Hair" and "A Chorus Line".

In the early sixties, Gail Merrifield was working in the publishing industry and experiencing job difficulties when she decided to transition to working in the theatre. After sending out 80 job-seeking letters to theatrical producers gleaned from the Yellow Pages in the NYC phonebook, she ultimately wound up working with Joe Papp. She started out working at his side as a note taker and with time grew to reading submitted plays. She would assess these plays and those with promise would be shown to Joe for consideration. Joe was already in a third troubled marriage when his working relationship with Gail morphed into a secret romantic one. They ultimately married and lived and worked happily together until his death from prostate cancer in 1991.

I am certainly not a theater goer, but love reading biographies, especially those that take place in New York City in the art realm and in decades past. This memoir was clearly written with love. The writing style was straightforward and free flowing...a joy to read. The book begins with the author watching a film recording of her husband's memorial service and recounting the many notable people present that honored him. It was very interesting reading about their working relationship (public) as well as their private one as a happily married couple. Gail uses many quotes from her husband's meetings, speeches and writings in newspapers to make Joe's force of nature come alive on these pages. It was also a delight realizing how many famous actors and actresses prefaced their careers by first acting in these early theatrical productions (George C. Scott, Colleen Dewhurst, Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, James Earl Jones). Even though I have absolutely no interest in Shakespeare or theatrical plays, the author drew me in with this very well-executed memoir.

Thank you to the publisher Globe Pequot, Applause who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.