Michael Recommends...
With my ridiculously busy schedule, I don't get a chance to read or listen to nearly as much as I would like to :(. I try to go through whatever comes my way, though -- and once in a while, something comes up that manages to be BEYOND the exceptional. So, for whatever it's worth...here are some of those things, which I'll keep updating as I come accross them! Click on any of the titles or pictures for purchase information : )
Books
By Anthony Rapp
This book contains everything you ever wanted to know (and a few things you probably didn't) about Anthony Rapp. Seriously, though -- this book provided me with the most incredible emotional journey that the written word has ever given me; and that is saying something! Anthony's has created something honest, genuine, and beautiful -- a uniquely amazing experience.
By David Wienir and Jodie Langel
This book was reccomended to me by Susan Egan, and is at once interesting and entertaining. This book contains organized exerpts from interviews with over 150 Broadway performers, and gives a genuine glampse at what life is really like on the Great White Way -- the glamorous, and the not-so-glamorous. This is a great asset to anyone aspiring to, or even has any interest in, Broadway.
Albums
Adam Pascal
Adam Pascal has done something that is near impossible in the musical industry -- he has created a new sound, his own sound, and the result is nothing short of amazing. Besides the well-known passion in Adam's voice, Adam's music and lyrics are prolific and, well -- awesome. Adam is a master of modern rock, and "Civilian" is an incredible tribute to his many talents!
A Pop-Opera by Damon Intrabartolo
Due mostly to a large number of unlucky circumstances, "Bare" never made it as far as it should have. Nevertheless, the show is a rich combination of an intense story and important thematic material, all elaborately portrayed through the genre of modern pop music. The actual demo CD is difficult to come accross -- but you can download all eleven songs from the album for free from Sh-K-Boom Records!