Sometimes, novice writers with a publishing deal think that they can bury their weakest essays toward the back of their book. This is very much the case with Andrew Rannells's essays ("Uncle of the Year"): Two pieces, on the gym and on a semi-amateur production of "Miss Saigon," should not have evaded the close scrutiny of Rannells's editor.
That's all right. Rannells has an odd, interesting career to reflect on, and he makes some smart choices. I really liked his observations about Lena Dunham: While advising Rannells on his work, the basically adolescent Dunham was able to demonstrate the toughness and acuity of a veteran in her fifties. (Dunham is very different from Hannah Horvath.) Rannells also makes clear that the memory of Dunham's fearlessness and honesty has been a major motivating factor in his own career, in the past fifteen years.
It's also a treat to read about the genesis of "The Book of Mormon." Rannells doesn't care about religion--but he knows what it means to experience hunger (for a Broadway life). Rannells just took his own ambition and dressed it in new clothing, and this is how he became Elder Price. (Additionally, Rannells demanded that each solo would be transposed to an impossible key, so that others could not sing the role, could not "steal" the role down the road.) I also enjoyed Rannells's analysis of Josh Gad--specifically, Gad's ability to turn his lunacy "on" and "off." It's fun to read one artist's portrait of another artist.
Finally, I liked the war stories from "Hairspray": Broadway is an ugly, hypocritical place, and Rannells is able to convey the message while shying away from self-pity. He's a survivor.
Delightful book from a stealthy, subtle thinker; Rannells is a "brain."
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