Book Reviews

Review: Never Mind the Happy

Marc Shaiman's memoir Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner is a wonderfully light and breezy autobiography. How so? I inhaled this book in an afternoon.

If you have consumed any Broadway musicals in recent decades, you have probably experienced some of Shaiman's work, like "Hairspray." If you've enjoyed any classic movies from those same decades, you've definitely heard this musical direction in films like "When Harry Met Sally" and "Beaches."

Beginning with his piano savant childhood in Newark, New Jersey, Never Mind the Happy takes its title from something his often quirky mother said to him when he was a bit too melancholic. Starting in local community theater, Shaiman leaves school at 16 to work professionally in New York. His work as a musical director for theater and cabarets soon led to work on Saturday Night Live. He even appeared as The Sweeney Sisters' accompanist, Skip St. Thomas.

Being in New York during this time gave him access to great performers who were well known then and now. At times, his writing can seem a bit "name-droppy" with narratives based on how many celebrities can be mentioned. Just go with it. The stories are always good. Though I really wonder why he doesn't discuss Barry Manilow more, given that their times working with Bette Midler overlapped.

In fact, if you are a Sondheim fan, you definitely need to read this book for the hysterical anecdote Shaiman shares (one that Sondheim made him promise not to share until after his death). It's delightful.

Shaiman only gets serious during two sections. The first time is talking about his cocaine addiction, and the second is about the AIDS crisis. To be honest, this was some of his best writing as he let his mask slip a bit and we saw deeper inside his soul.

If you are a Broadway fan and/or a movie music lover, this is a no-brainer for you. Who doesn't love a bit of fluff once in a while?