Marc Shaiman to Tour in Support of New Memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner | Playbill

Book News Marc Shaiman to Tour in Support of New Memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner

The Tony-winning Hairspray composer and lyricist will be joined by Nathan Lane, Bette Midler, J. Harrison Ghee, Melissa Errico, and more.

Marc Shaiman Michael Hull

An audiobook and national tour will accompany the release of Tony-winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman's upcoming memoir.

Called Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner, both the print and the audiobook are set for publication by Regalo Press January 27. The memoir is now available to pre-order on Amazon and the audiobook is available to pre-save here.

Beginning January 25, Shaiman will also be hitting the road, regaling audiences with behind-the-scenes tales and special performances. 

The first set of book tour dates follows:

January 25
In conversation with Nathan Lane
Hosted by 92NY in New York, New York
Featuring special performances by J. Harrison Ghee and Jessica Vosk

January 29
In conversation with Alan Zweibel
Hosted by Free Library of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 4
Hosted by the Clinton Foundation in partnership with the Arkansas Cinema Society, Arkansas Repertory Theater and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra - Little Rock, Arkansas

February 6
In conversation with Bette Midler
Hosted by The Academy Museum in Los Angeles, California
Featuring a screening of The First Wives Club

February 9
In conversation and performance with Melissa Errico
Hosted by Long Island Lit Fest in Northport, New York

February 14
In conversation with Murray Horwitz
Hosted by Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C.

Additional tour dates will be announced at a later date.

Said Shaiman in a previous statement, “’Never mind the happy,’ my mother always says, but how could I not be happy about nearly 50 years in show business, where I have been blessed with startling successes (and yes, a few dire disappointments). So I figured it was time to write my memoir before I completely forget what I’ve done—or worse, before everyone else forgets! Whether movies, television or on Broadway, I guess my longevity actually proves that…You can’t stop the beat!”

In case that final line wasn't enough of a hint for you, Shaiman was the composer and lyricist behind one of the biggest Broadway hits of the 2000s, Hairspray, as well as an array of beloved cult classics. Since the late 1970s Shaiman has been strongly associated with his writing partner, lyricist Scott Wittman, with whom he has written some of his most famous material, including Hairspray. Though once romantically connected, the duo has remained steadfast professional partners, with their most recent effort, SMASH, playing Broadway just last season.

Shaiman's full Broadway credits, including his work as arranger and music director, include Up in One, Bette! Divine Madness, André DeShields' Haarlem Nocturne, Leader of the Pack, An Evening with Harry Connick Jr. and His Orchestra, Patti LuPone on Broadway, Hairspray, The Odd Couple, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Plaza Suite, Some Like It Hot, and SMASH.

In addition to his stage work, Shaiman is also a frequent collaborator on film and television scores, with his screen credits including Beaches, When Harry Met Sally, The Addams Family, Sister Act, A Few Good Men, Sleepless in Seattle, Hocus Pocus, Clueless, The First Wives Club, Patch Adams, SMASH, La La Land, Mary Poppins Returns, and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.

 
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