All The World's an Indie Stage
The day Shakespeare stops being relevant is the day I chuck my phone and laptop, move to a hermitage in the woods, and give up on humanity. Luckily that day is not today. Today, Diane Haithman, author of the biting comedy Dark Lady of Hollywood, is partnering with Coeurage Theatre Company, donating a portion of her sales for the aforementioned book to this daring young company during their run of Shakespeare’s Andronicus. Indie books and theatre, plus bonus points for Shakespeare—what’s not love?
Published by Harvard Square Editions, Dark Lady of Hollywood is a merry mashup of the worlds of Shakespeare and the television industry that tells the story of a dying TV executive’s murderous search for a soul mate like Shakespeare’s mysterious Dark Lady of the Sonnets. We reviewed this book in our Spring Issue and reviewer Jill Allen gushed, “It takes a special kind of talent to simultaneously skewer Hollywood and Shakespeare while writing a thought-provoking novel, and Dark Lady of Hollywood proves Diane Haithman has this genius. As a former arts and entertainment writer for the Los Angeles Times, Haithman’s book explores themes of the ephemeral nature of show business, a human desire to connect, and what really matters in life, while causing chuckles at the same time. … Anyone who appreciates comedy and either loves or disdains Tinseltown will adore this breezy, biting book.”
Said Haithman, “I’m delighted to support a company that has the nerve to take on Andronicus, Shakespeare’s first tragedy and most violent play. Coeurage is serious about finding the humor in Shakespeare’s darkest moments.” In Andronicus, deliciously twisted humor gives way to unexpected poignancy in this bold take on William Shakespeare’s original horror play The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus. Reveling in the darkest corners of human nature, Andronicus is a streamlined adaptation of Shakespeare’s most violent play; the bard’s masterful dramatic structure and brutal tale of revenge have been carefully preserved.
If you would like to take part, you can buy an autographed copy at the Lyric-Hyperion Theatre & Cafe on performance nights, off the Coeurage website, or by contacting Haithman directly at dianehaithman@gmail.com. Any Kindle eBook sales during the run of the show will also count towards the Coeurage contribution. Andronicus runs weekends through August 17, but check the Coeurage website for exact dates. All seats are available on a “Pay What You Want” basis. Harvard Square Editions is also working with other theatres and their outlets (like gift shops) to market this highly theatrical book.
Allyce Amidon is the associate editor at Foreword Reviews. You can follow her on Twitter @allyce_amidon
Allyce Amidon
