Need recommendations for theater-themed novels

Ineti · Jan 31, 2011

I had this idea to write a novel about theater people, auditions, putting up a show, and all the fun stuff involved in the theater world. I have no idea if I'd make it a mystery or a romance or something else, so I'm starting at pretty much zero.

Are there any novels out there you can recommend that involve theater, actors, shows going up, or the like? I'd like to do some market research before writing to see what's out there. Google has failed me as yet. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

alleycat · Jan 31, 2011

If there are any small theaters in your area, talk to them and see if you can sit in. I've always found the people who do small theater to be some of the most welcoming and friendly people around. They really appreciate people taking an interest in live theater.

Ineti · Jan 31, 2011

Sorry, I may have been unclear. I have a theater background and am thinking about writing a novel involving theater, but haven't seen anything like that on shelves. I was looking for novel recommendations that might involve actors or theater.

alleycat · Jan 31, 2011

Sorry, I did misunderstand.

Maybe Next Season.

Kitty Pryde · Feb 1, 2011

Oh oh oh! Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler is so so so good! It's a murder mystery set during the London Blitz. Also, Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, a crazy fantasy set in a magical theater that is an entire world. Sorta. A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend and Will and Will Grayson, Will Grayson are good ones about putting on high school theater productions. Also possibly Drama Qu33rs and Attack of the Theater People! I believe Wondrous Strange is set in among a theater company, but I didn't read it.

trailerbride · Feb 3, 2011

There is a mystery writer called Simon Brett who wrote a whole series of theatrical whodunnits featuring a jobbing actor called Charles Paris.

I also strongly recommend another mystery called The Fourth Wall by Barbara Paul. I haven't read it since I was 12 but I remember it very fondly.

Ineti · Feb 3, 2011

Thanks, folks. I'll do some digging and see what I can find.

alleycat · Feb 3, 2011

Do check out Next Season. I haven't read it, but I've heard it's really good. The guy who wrote it has been in the theater for years, so it's not from the outside looking in.

MissMacchiato · Feb 3, 2011

Kerrie Greenwood has one called Ruddy Gore, which is a murder mystery set in a theatre.

Witness in Death by JD Robb is another murder mystery set in a theatre.

They're not straight theatre books, having the added mystery/murder thing, but they do go into the intricacies of the relationships and so on..

LJD · Feb 8, 2011

Tempest-Tost by Robertson Davies.
It is an old book (1950's) - first novel by a fairly famous Canadian writer.
It appears that the trilogy (it is the first in the Salterton Trilogy, though I don't believe the others involve theatre) is available on Amazon.

Mysty · Feb 8, 2011

A YA book would be How I Paid For College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theater. It's exactly what it says on the tin.

Need recommendations for theater-themed novels

Ineti

Purveyor of Prose

alleycat

Still around

Ineti

Purveyor of Prose

alleycat

Still around

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

trailerbride

Northern scum. Southern belle.

Ineti

Purveyor of Prose

alleycat

Still around

MissMacchiato

Bring on the Sweet, Sweet Coffee

LJD

Mysty