History Hiding Around Broadway - by Teale Dvornik (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Go behind the scenes of the Great White Way with this illustrated guide to the Theater District's hidden history--an essential book for your explorations of the district from a seasoned Broadway guide.

Broadway is one of New York's greatest treasures, and where there is treasure, there is a backstory. When it comes to Broadway, that backstory is fittingly juicy, dramatic, and unexpected. And no one knows these hidden histories like Teale Dvornik, who has been leading Broadway fans on tours of the theater district since 2017. With her immense knowledge and passion for the theater, Dvornik now takes readers on her one-of-a-kind tour of Broadway, "stopping" at each of the 41 theaters to tell us fun facts, lesser-known history, ghost tales, and interesting stories about actors, performances, stage flukes, blunders, and more, involving the biggest names and productions in theater history.

Learn about the Tiffany chandeliers of the Belasco Theater, the trove of hidden jewels at the Gershwin (which houses years of history from the beloved musical Wicked), and the impresarios and players who influenced Broadway. Readers will also learn the fascinating back stories of theater myths, legends, and traditions. Where did the stage ghost light come from? What started the tradition of intermissions? Which theaters have secret connecting hallways? And much, much more! Along the way, Teale takes detours to explain stage lingo and dives into some of Broadways most popular shows, including CATS, Hello, Dolly!, and Rent.

Review Quotes

"A love letter to both aspiring theatre kids and seasoned Broadway veterans alike. Her writing fresh, witty, and charming, Dvornik gives voice to a new generation of Broadway, leaving readers excited to discover something new on every page."----Cara Rose DiPietro, New York City-based actor and influencer

"...A must-read for theater geeks, history buffs, and anyone who's ever fallen in love with New York City. With the eye of an expert and the passion of a fan, Dvornik makes the theaters, streets, and landmarks come alive, taking us on a time-traveling adventure through Broadway's past, present, and future. Whether you're a lifelong theatergoer or a newcomer, History Hiding Around Broadway will give you a new appreciation for the magic of the arts."----David Gordon, Editor in Chief of TheaterMania.com

"A bright, attractive celebration of New York's Theater District, a charming guide to the great Broadway stages that unearths fun trivia and useful insights that you can delight your friends with during intermission. A useful tool whether you're a seasoned theater vet or a tourist preparing for your first big trip to New York. And the best part -- it's cheaper than an actual Broadway ticket!" ----Greg Young, co-host of the Bowery Boys Podcast

"It'sa love letter to Broadway; a guidebook for any theatre lover; and a way to add more depth to any Broadway experience. I plan to revisit it anytime I see a show, so that I can remind myself of the history of the theatre I'm in, and how much deeper the story goes than what's just on the stage." ----Jennifer Kahn, founder of Scenery Bags

"Teale easily breaks down centuries of theatrical history, including legends, lore and spotlights while telling us how this strip of a street became the center of the American theatrical industry."----John Friia, Founder and Content Creator of Here In New York

About the Author

Teale Dvornik is a seasoned Broadway dresser, passionate theater historian, and online influencer known as "The Backstage Blonde(R)." She has worked on iconic productions like Wicked, Aladdin, MJ: The Musical, Come From Away, and A Beautiful Noise as well as the famed Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Teale has also contributed to fifteen seasons of New York Fashion Week, dressing shows for top designers, including Calvin Klein, Coach, and Marc Jacobs. As a licensed New York City tour guide, she has delighted hundreds of visitors with tales of the Theater District's hidden wonders. Teale studied technical theater and costume design at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and lives in New York City. Despite her best efforts, she has still never seen a theater ghost.