Todd Haimes
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (Penguin, $11). The first play I ever read. It inspired me from an early age to get involved in the theater. More specifically, it helped me to foster an appreciation for Miller that continues to this day.
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (Broadway, $14). Weisberger opened my eyes to an industry with which I was formerly, and now thankfully, unfamiliar. Although a “fictional” tale of the fashion world, this 2003 novel showed me that however jaded I get working in the theater industry, there are careers tougher and meaner than working on Broadway.
Act One: An Autobiography by Moss Hart (St. Martin’s, $17). The best theater autobiography ever written. Moss Hart captures all the joy and pain of working in this industry. It’s a book to which one can turn in moments of self-doubt; an affirmation of all that is glorious about the American theater.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies by Ted Chapin (Knopf, $30). It’s difficult to put the Broadway experience into words. Now, I just point friends to Ted Chapin’s wonderfully objective account of his experience with James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim’s landmark 1971 musical Follies. Hands down, it’s the best recent book about what it is like to work on a Broadway musical.
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh (Faber & Faber, $13). Theater is a world concern. Anyone seriously interested in the form needs to be exposed to work from outside America. Martin McDonagh’s blistering Pillowman is the best play by Europe’s finest young writer.
King Lear
King Lear,
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The struggles of Aston Martin
In the Spotlight The car manufacturer, famous for its association with the James Bond franchise, is ‘running out of road’
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rights
The Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Grecotel Luxme Dama Dama: Greek luxury with a breezy beach vibe
The Week Recommends Rhodes is reimagined in this refined and relaxed resort
-
Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetime
Feature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
-
Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytelling
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
-
Elizabeth Gilbert’s favorite books about women overcoming difficulties
Feature The author recommends works by Tove Jansson, Lauren Groff, and more
-
Fannie Flagg’s 6 favorite books that sparked her imagination
Feature The author recommends works by Johanna Spyri, John Steinbeck, and more
-
Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is more
Feature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more
-
Keith McNally's 6 favorite books that have ambitious characters
Feature The London-born restaurateur recommends works by Leo Tolstoy, John le Carré, and more
-
Garrett Graff's 6 favorite books that shine new light on World War II
Feature The author recommends works by James D. Hornfischer, Craig L. Symonds, and more
-
Helen Schulman's 6 favorite collections of short stories
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by Raymond Carver, James Baldwin, and more