Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.53 AVERAGE
4.53 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I already loved this musical, but now I love it even more. The respect I have for Anaïs Mitchell's process is immeasurable. I feel creative and inspired. This is a book for writers, or even a book for people who want to make things. Wow, I can't wait to read it again.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
God, this was so cool. I discovered Anais Mitchell back in like 2013 or so and Hadestown, which I thought was just a concept album, was an instant favorite that I played over and over. I was so excited when I realized that it actually had a whole play attached. When I finally listened to the live Off-Broadway album, it took me awhile to get used to the new songs and performances and I was surprised by some of the lyric changes. I honestly still haven't seen the musical performed (not comfortable at indoor events because of Covid) and I haven't listened to the final Broadway album because the idea of hearing all my favorite songs changed again felt overwhelming.
So this book was essentially made exactly for me. It was so cool to hear Anais herself discuss the timeline of writing the songs and adjusting them over and over again. Hearing her very considered reasoning was cool and I was absolutely fascinated by the struggle between musicianship and poetry and dramaturgy. It was so deeply interesting.
And I cannot recommend the audiobook highly enough. Anais makes a great narrator, especially when she slips in and out of humming and softly singing pieces of music and then actual clips from the live album are also included. It was a beautifully crafted experience, listening to the audiobook.
Honestly, so good. Definitely the best book about writing I've ever read.
So this book was essentially made exactly for me. It was so cool to hear Anais herself discuss the timeline of writing the songs and adjusting them over and over again. Hearing her very considered reasoning was cool and I was absolutely fascinated by the struggle between musicianship and poetry and dramaturgy. It was so deeply interesting.
And I cannot recommend the audiobook highly enough. Anais makes a great narrator, especially when she slips in and out of humming and softly singing pieces of music and then actual clips from the live album are also included. It was a beautifully crafted experience, listening to the audiobook.
Honestly, so good. Definitely the best book about writing I've ever read.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
a very very lovely quick read on the making of my favorite musical, hadestown!! im deeply biased already, and it’s no surprise i love this book. i think hadestown is such a gorgeous, well thought out show in every aspect, and it was sooo wonderful to read about the development of the musical straight from the songwriter herself. anais mitchell is so honest about the process in this book, sharing cut lyrics and things that embarrassed her, and how they came to find the things that worked for the show through its many iterations. even reading through the lyrics, which i thought wouldn’t hit me bc i’ve seen the show like 300 times, made me cry all over again. i love this goddamn show and this book.
to the world we dream about, and the one we live in now 😭😭😭
to the world we dream about, and the one we live in now 😭😭😭
Five stars without another thought. Admittedly, I've become an utter sucker for Hadestown in the month since seeing it on Broadway, but this book is a beautiful accompaniment to the songs themselves. Telling both the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, a true love doomed to fail, and the creation of the modern work of art that centers around it, Working on a Song opens the readers eyes to the intricacies of Hadestown, and the details that make its story so emotionally powerful and affecting.
I am in love with how this book goes through the lyrics of the whole production and then gives insight on Anaïs's creative process and what lead to the changes seen throughout the yeah.
For Hadestown, I have always love that we have official recording of the concept album all the way back from 2010, another album in 2017, and then the cast recording in 2019. Between the three, it was fascinating to see the differences between what got added and what got removed. And now, I get further insight as to why there were lyric changes, what the driving force was behind changing them, and they had helped or hinder the story.
I love how collaborative the whole production was. Anaïs was the main writer, but it was heavily influenced by the production team, and by the love and passion everyone puts into the it. Hadestown has been confirmed to be in my city next year, and I very much look forward to attending it.
For Hadestown, I have always love that we have official recording of the concept album all the way back from 2010, another album in 2017, and then the cast recording in 2019. Between the three, it was fascinating to see the differences between what got added and what got removed. And now, I get further insight as to why there were lyric changes, what the driving force was behind changing them, and they had helped or hinder the story.
I love how collaborative the whole production was. Anaïs was the main writer, but it was heavily influenced by the production team, and by the love and passion everyone puts into the it. Hadestown has been confirmed to be in my city next year, and I very much look forward to attending it.
funny
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
This was a pleasure to listen to on audio, in Anais Mitchell's own voice! I have been a big fan of her music for a long time, but this gave me a whole new appreciation for the incredible artistic force that is Anais Mitchell. She has a dreamy voice that I am happy to listen to any time which made this even better.
Prior to this book, I had next to zero understanding of the production of a theatrical show like Hadestown. What really blew my mind was the outstanding feat of creative collaboration and community behind such a production.
Everything from the creation, arranging, rearranging, editing, and reimagining of every little detail of the lyrics, to choosing every lyric through the audience's eyes and ears, to the consideration of drama vs. poetry, to hunting for the perfect word for each intended impact - it all genuinely amazed me.
I loved being able to see how many ways this show was co-created by all artists involved, the audience and critics, and even song meanings were bent and shaped by current events and social movements.
Anais Mitchell is a natural storyteller, and this was a great story to tell!
Prior to this book, I had next to zero understanding of the production of a theatrical show like Hadestown. What really blew my mind was the outstanding feat of creative collaboration and community behind such a production.
Everything from the creation, arranging, rearranging, editing, and reimagining of every little detail of the lyrics, to choosing every lyric through the audience's eyes and ears, to the consideration of drama vs. poetry, to hunting for the perfect word for each intended impact - it all genuinely amazed me.
I loved being able to see how many ways this show was co-created by all artists involved, the audience and critics, and even song meanings were bent and shaped by current events and social movements.
Anais Mitchell is a natural storyteller, and this was a great story to tell!