The Street Where I Live: A Memoir

By Alan Jay Lerner and Alan J. Lerner

Book Overview

The Street Where I Live is at once an intimate biography of three great shows--My Fair Lady, Gigi, and Camelot--and a candid account of the life and times of Alan J. Lerner, one of America's most acclaimed and popular lyricists. Large-hearted, humorous, and often poignant in its reverence for a celebrated era in the American theater, this is the story of what Lerner calls "the sundown of wit, eccentricity, and glamour." Try as he might to keep himself out of these pages, Lerner reveals himself to be a man of great talent, laughter, and love. Along the way, we meet a sensational supporting cast: Moss Hart, Fritz Loewe, Julie Andrews, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Cecil Beaton, Louis Jourdan, and Maurice Chevalier, to name a few. They are seen in moments of triumph and disaster, but all are professionals at the creation of theater. And the creation of theater is the matrix of this wonderful book. Included are the complete lyrics to My Fair Lady, Gigi, and Camelot.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393356132
• ISBN13: 9780393356137
• Release Date: April 2018
• Publisher: Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W.
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

The great lyricist also a master of prose (not a surprise!).

Alan J. Lerner/and his collaborations with Fritz Lowe and Burton Lane are miracles of the 20th century. The circumstances of their coming together in an artistic and social mileux that called for--no yearned for that kind of musical theater--is a story in itself.Mr. Lerner talks eloquently about these collaborators-and others (some not so succesful), and gives us complete and insightful discussions about the shows for which he has written the lyrics--"just" productions like "My Fair Lady," "Gigi," "Camelot," and others perhaps not as well known.Mr. Lerner also discusses his own life with great candor--and even greater wit.This book is an absolute must-have for those interested in The American Musical Theater! I have given it several times as a gift.

a superior memoir

This is a witty (if occasionally slaphappy), literate, and very readable (difficult to put down) account of the making of three musicals. I doubt, however, that persons not especially interested in the theatre will want to read this. Note also that this is not a conventional autobiography like, say, Richard Rodgers's "Musical Stages": it concerns the circumstances of the author's life only peripherally.Also recommended: Craig Zadan's "Sondheim & Company" and, for musicians, Jeff Burns's "Pentatonic Scales for the Jazz Rock Keyboardist".

The man can write!

Unlike many theater or Hollywood figures who write their own life stories, Alan Jay Lerner can actually organize and clearly articulate the events of his life! Even if you are not a lover of the Broadway theater or Hollywood, I recommend that you get the book purely for the pleasure of reading his prose! I have been searching for this book ever since I read a library edition of it years ago. I am more than overjoyed that they have finally reprinted it!

A must-read for lovers of musical theater!

Alan Jay Lerner has written a funny, fascinating, charming memoir of his biggest successes (My Fair Lady, Gigi, and Camelot). Full of insight, wit, and memorable anecdotes, this book is about as close as you can come to recapturing the lost world of Broadway as a place brimming with vitality and talent. You will certainly enjoy it if you care about the subject matter at all.

Pure magic!

For anyone who loves Broadway or Hollywood musicals, this book is pure magic. Alan Jay Lerner tells how he came to create his finest works, infusing the text with his signature wit and fascinating insight into human nature. Some of the show business giants of the 50's and 60's make appearances here, and Lerner shares marvelous anecdotes about all of them. MY FAIR LADY, CAMELOT, GIGI -- so many stars, so many songs, so many wonderful stories to tell. The result is a delightfully entertaining read, one that is both funny and filled with the author's love of his life's work.