Third Girl from the Left

By: Christine Barker

Narrated by: Betsy Struxness

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

“A beautifully written memoir of life on the Broadway stage at the onset of the 1980s AIDS epidemic.... Compelling, and remarkably hopeful.” (Mara Liasson, national political correspondent, NPR)

A moving, real-life account of making it as a dancer in New York City, embracing the changing faces of love and family, and being at ground-zero for one of the most fatal epidemics of modern times....

Wanting to be a dancer while growing up in a large military family made Christine Barker somewhat of a black sheep, but she followed her dreams to New York City, where—in a moment of almost unbelievable good fortune—she was chosen for the London cast of A Chorus Line.

London, and then New York, in the '70s and '80s opened up Christine’s world. The creativity, culture, and nightlife were intoxicating, enough so to compel her older brother Laughlin to join her. Once there, the divorced father, veteran, and corporate lawyer met rising fashion star Perry Ellis. Romance and success soon followed—as well as rumors of a devastating new disease....

Broadway’s theater community is ravaged by loss as the AIDS epidemic takes hold, and Christine is shocked by the toll it’s taken on her inner circle. Holding on tight to friends and loved ones left behind, the crisis becomes a crucible moment for her family and for all of society. And Christine is once again forced to go her own way to make sense of the tragedy.

©2023 Christine Barker (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

Powerful and Poignant

Christine and Betsy are a powerful team. Both know what it is to perform on Broadway, and both love humanity.
This comes out as Betsy performs Christine's story - Third Girl from the Left.
So rich in writing and performing, can’t say enough about this book on audible.
A must listen!

An interesting and powerful story

Really enjoyed this dual story centered around the iconic Broadway show, A Chorus Line and the Perry Ellis fashion house. So much love, pain and fortitude to move on.

Beautifully written & performed

Powerful true story that gives such wonderful insight into Christine's life as a Broadway dancer and performer, as well her navigating the lack of humanity occuring during the AIDS crisis involving the loss of her brother and many loved ones.

A Dancer’s Dream Told with Heart

I lost a husband to HIV in 1997. With love, poignance, and beautiful prose, Ms. Barker portrays the confusion, heartbreak, and immense sense of loss during the early days of the AIDS pandemic. She also conveys the challenges women faced in industries dominated by men.

A must listen

This book was an excellent story of Broadway in the 70’s and 80’s and an intimate look into the AIDS crisis. It has so much insight on one of the best shows A Chorus Line. Having staged and danced that show, I loved listening to the beginnings of the success of that show. Also…I lost friends during the time of this book to AIDS and it did bring that horrifying time into focus. Betsy Struxness was amazing. She draws you into the story and keeps you engaged and brings so much emotion. I hope she narrates more.

Excellent

Eye awakening account of events . AIDS a topic no one wants to discuss. Treated as a moral issue rather then a nasty disease. I love the way Christine approaches the subject.

Heartbreaking yet hopeful

The story of a time that thankfully past
This story brings life to a terrible time when pay men died in their prime of life when society did not recognize their rights to share their relationships openly and when science was not sufficiently advanced to save them from terrible deaths
Yet this story is also hopeful in how both society and science have changed for the better

A beautiful and tragic story that deserves a standing ovation

Christine, your brother would be so proud of you for writing this book. While the story of a girl from a small town moving to the big city trying to make it in show biz is familiar, that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this particular memoir. Christine Barker gives a rare woman’s perspective on the AIDS crisis from a very personal level, while also giving a deep dive on what life was like for a young actress in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In a time when women’s rights and gay and trans rights are under attack, this book is a timely message on where we were and why we can never go back. Betsy’s narration was top notch. She captured the emotion perfectly and left me laughing at some moments, gasping at others and on the verge of tears at some more. This audiobook will tear your heart to pieces, but it will leave you more whole than you were before you picked it up.

Loved, but left me wanting more...

I was absolutely intrigued by this story and I think the narrator did a phenomenal job of bringing the characters to life! Having come of age during this time and experiencing the onset of stigma/fear of AIDS I found this journey very thought provoking and gut wrenching. My only complaint is that I felt the ending left us wanting more information. It seemed to end a bit abruptly which is sad because I became very invested in the characters (people). It's a powerful story. I highly recommend.

Excellent personal account of AIDS epidemic and social coverup in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and even today

This personal account of the AIDS epidemic in NYC from 1970’s to the early 2000’s is epic. Men died by the thousands yet the deaths were listed as everything except AIDS. This was to “protect” the families, businesses, and everyone else. These men and women died for love. Thank you to Prince Dianna for her boldness in touching people with AIDS, her caring and all she did to change way the world looks at this terrible disease today.