Act One

"Act One may be the greatest show-business autobiography ever written. It’s certainly one of the greatest. The book is a compendium of backstage stories and anecdotes about all the fabulous people Moss Hart knew intimately – and he knew them all. Hart co-wrote some of the most successful comedies in Broadway history with George S Kaufmann. You Can’t Take It With You and The Man Who Came to Dinner are probably the most famous – you still see them being revived today. Hart also directed many successful shows including My Fair Lady , one of Broadway’s biggest musical hits. But none of that is covered in Act One , and you don’t really care. The book is a funny, heartfelt description of Hart’s struggle to make it big on Broadway in the 1920s. He grew up poor in the Bronx. Even though Hart’s family couldn’t afford food, his aunt always found a way to go to the theatre. She’d come home and describe in detail everything that she saw on stage. She must have been a great storyteller, because Hart became obsessed with Broadway. Hart talks about Broadway as a refuge. Certainly that’s how he looked at it, as a magical place where the troubles of the world no longer matter. These days you may wonder what possesses people who are drawn to theatre, because it’s not the major American cultural force it once was. But there’s something about live performance, and the glamorous history that Hart writes about, which still attracts people to Broadway."

"Hart rose from grinding poverty in Brooklyn to the heights of Broadway success in writing and directing. Act One is easily the best show — business autobiography — a riveting story that risks promoting the foolish idea that if you chase your dream and never give in, you will succeed. Bull. A few will. Hart did."

"“Act One” is one of the best things about owning a bookstore. I can sell “Act One” to people all day long."

"Any playwright who isn't brought to tears by the last third of Moss Hart's Act One (where he finally figures out how to fix his play) is made of stone."

"Hands down, Moss Hart's "Act One.""

"Moss Hart's "Act One," although about a life in the theater, epitomizes every young artist's journey from innocence to experience."

"All about New York and Broadway and writing and show business and George S. Kaufman and Hart writing their plays."

"My all-time favorite theatrical memoir is "Act One," by Moss Hart… I have since reread often. It is a perfect time capsule of an era and art form, told with his exquisite humor, charm and candor."

"Moss Hart's autobiography, "Act One," still the best theatrical memoir ever."