pbraue13 's review for:

Too Much Is Not Enough by Andrew Rannells

4.0

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I was one of the rare few that didn't cling to Andrew Rannells when he took the stage in Book of Mormon. I wasn't a fan of his singing, his acting, or him as a person from what I had seen in interviews and heard from friends who worked with/met him, but this book has given me new respect for the Broadway star. This memoir, a collection of essays detailing his first few years in New York as well as memories of his childhood and adolescence, was one of the most relatable pieces of nonfiction I have read in a long time. As a gay man and former actor (before COVID 19 wrecked the theatre world this past year) I knew exactly the kind of experiences Andrew spoke of when maneuvering the world post high school and outside of the jurisdiction of his parents for the first time. I understood the unrequited loves and the short romances he spoke of post-coming out and coming into his own as a gay youth. His rampant "sex-capades" in his twenties and troubled past with older men who used him and abused were also sadly relatable. Coming from a catholic school experience and small town background I understood the way the world seemed to open up like a cornucopia of opportunities, while also hitting us hard with reality. Overall, what I mean to say is Mr. Rannells is a good writer and has lived experiences that many will be able to relate to. Especially, being young and chasing a dream with your eyes full of stars and thinking anything is possible.