Drama

An Actor's Education

By: John Lithgow

Narrated by: John Lithgow

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In this riveting and surprising personal history, John Lithgow shares a backstage view of his own struggle, crisis, and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye.

Above all Lithgow’s memoir is a tribute to his most important influence: his father, Arthur Lithgow, who, as an actor, director, producer, and great lover of Shakespeare, brought theater to John’s boyhood. From bedtime stories to Arthur’s illustrious productions, performance and storytelling were constant and cherished parts of family life. Drama details with poignancy and sharp recollection the moments that introduced a budding young actor to the undeniable power of theater.

Before Lithgow gained fame with films like The World According to Garp and television shows like 3rd Rock from the Sun, his early years were full of scenes both hilarious and bittersweet. His ruminations on the nature of theater, film acting, and storytelling cut to the heart of why actors are driven to perform, and why people are driven to watch them do it.

Lithgow chronicles the harrowing moments of his past, reflecting with moving candor on friends made and lost, mistakes large and small, and the powerful love of a father who set him on the road to a life onstage. Illuminating, funny, affecting, and thoroughly engrossing, Drama raises the curtain on the making of one of our most beloved actors.

©2011 John Lithgow (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

Yawn.....!!!!

I like watching John Lithgow in movies and TV shows, but was very bored with the story and could not finish it. Sorry.....

Wonderfully heartwarming 💓🥰💓

Listening to John Lithgow recount his story as well as his father's story was absolutely lovely. Few autobiographies have moved me as much. A large part of it has to do with the reverence with which he treats the influence his dad had on his life. Unlike most autobiographies, I will definitely be rereading this one as it was beautifully told and written.

Lithgow

I liked the whole thing. One of the sweetest, substantive memoirs I have ever heard or read.
xo

Very pleased I bought this wonderful book

Having been familiar with John Lithgow's performances in Third Rock and a couple of movies, I was interested in this autobio. It's a life more dedicated to the stage than the screen that makes up the bulk of this fascinating book. Narration by the author doesn't always work, but it certainly does in this case. I love his unique voice and his mastery of language is second to none. Beautifully descriptive and personally revealing, he lays out his life in a very compelling presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good autobio or has an interest in the theatre.

Wonderful!

If you could sum up Drama in three words, what would they be?

Fantastic engaging storytelling

What about John Lithgow’s performance did you like?

He is a consummate storyteller.

Any additional comments?

I actually want to listen to it all again.

I loved this book!

I loved this auto biography so much. John’s narration was wonderful and the respect he showed his parents and the truth in the way he spoke about his mistakes along the way just added to my love for this book. It was a great read. I highly recommend it.

An Actor’s Education

I didn’t realise this book would be a biography, I originally thought it was going to be about becoming an Actor, pitfalls etc. Nevertheless I enjoyed every minute of it.

Lithgow has a deep knowledge of 20th century theater

Great story, much love for his parents and a humbleness of his mistakes. loved it and hope we get a 2nd volume that deals with his TV & movie career!!

Intelligently written and spoken

If you could sum up Drama in three words, what would they be?

Language to caress the ears

What was one of the most memorable moments of Drama?

Finding out that some authors can do justice to their written words

Have you listened to any of John Lithgow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

John Lithgow uses language that takes you into his life story. He reads with pathos and articulation. A pleasure to listen to and an education for my ears.

Well, it's John Lithgow

I don't usually read memoirs by well-known people, but I have always enjoyed Lithgow's acting. Third Rock from the Sun was one of my favorite TV shows. Interestingly, he talks little about this program, and I was looking forward to some behind the scenes scenarios. I saw some bloopers from this show and they were very funny.

I was looking for something humorous to listen to, and the memoir is not very funny. Still, I enjoyed listening to him relate his life's story; it just wasn't what I expected. It appears that an actor can play a humorous role without being a funny person. I guess that's called acting.