Rating: 
Summary: A Motivating, Historical Piece
Review: Admittedly, I read this under duress in my "Theatre History Seminar" course in college. However, it turned out to be one of the most inspiring pieces I have ever read._The Fervent Years_ chronicles the birth and triumph of The Group Theater. This group of actors, directors, producers, and theater enthusiasts sacrificed time, money, and easy fame to explore the roots of drama. The product of their efforts was the creation of a truly American style of theater. Although the book has a decidedly theatrical spin, I think that all readers (from all backgrounds and interests) can benefit from reading this excellent piece. Right before I have to face a major challenge, I whip out my copy and give it another read. Also, Clurman's self-centered, self-celebrating anecdotes never cease to amuse.
Rating:
Summary: A Motivating, Historical Piece
Review: Admittedly, I read this under duress in my "Theatre History Seminar" course in college. However, it turned out to be one of the most inspiring pieces I have ever read. _The Fervent Years_ chronicles the birth and triumph of The Group Theater. This group of actors, directors, producers, and theater enthusiasts sacrificed time, money, and easy fame to explore the roots of drama. The product of their efforts was the creation of a truly American style of theater. Although the book has a decidedly theatrical spin, I think that all readers (from all backgrounds and interests) can benefit from reading this excellent piece. Right before I have to face a major challenge, I whip out my copy and give it another read. Also, Clurman's self-centered, self-celebrating anecdotes never cease to amuse.
Rating:
Summary: Stinking BRILLIANT
Review: No REAL actor has not read it. 'Nuff said
Rating:
Summary: A magnificent and inspiring historical document
Review: The Group Theatre, modeled off of the equally influencial Moscow Art Theatre, was an artistic organization that completely and drastically revolutionized not only American Theatre, but World Theatre as well. Formed in the 1930's and comprised of what has become a literal who's who of Theatre: Clifford Odets, Elia Kazan, Harold Clurman, Robert Lewis, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, Cheryl Crawford, John Garfield, Sanford Meisner and many others, The Group Theatre sought to create a vibrant and organic native theatre that sought to not only mirror the times but also instigate radical social change. At no other time in American history has an artistic group been comprised of so many talented individuals focused on one aesthetic and political goal. Despite one's political leanings (make no mistake, The Group Theatre were extreme leftest liberals), The Fervent Years provides and endless and bountiful amount of inspiration and stimulation for any theatre artist. Clurman writes in a fine dramatic style that boils with passion, wit and insight. The Fervent Years is required reading for all devotees of The Theatre. But don't let that scare you, it is a most entertaining read at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book about a passionate endeavor.
Review: This book is a beautiful account of the struggles and events surrounding Harold Clurman during his time with the Group Theater. Harold starts off by revealing how his life brought him to establish the Group along with Lee Strasberg and Cheryl Crawford. It then continues and describes the significant struggles and events encountered by the Group and its members along with some beautiful and extremely important observations Harold made, not only regarding the theater community and its participants, but also about our society in general and its effect on art in general. This book is an absolute must for any serious actor or director. For that matter, anyone serious about life would gain from reading this book. The Group Theater was a wonderful "experiment" fostered by some very passionate people who not only helped to shape theater in America, but they also played a significant role in laying the groundwork from which some of the best acting and directing has emerged as seen in films and theater since that time. I stand in disbelief when folks in the "business" don't know about Harold Clurman or the Group Theater and it members.
Rating:
Summary: The Importance of Group
Review: This book is exceptional. It gives you the insight of what theater should be. It will inspire anyone who is passionate about the theater. It inspired me to form my own group and realize the importance of being an artist.
Rating:
Summary: The Importance of Group
Review: This book is exceptional. It gives you the insight of what theater should be. It will inspire anyone who is passionate about the theater. It inspired me to form my own group and realize the importance of being an artist.
Rating:
Summary: A truly motivating piece of writing
Review: This book is one of the single most inspiring pieces of writing I have ever read. For actors, directors, designers, technicians, and playgoers, as well as historians, this book is a must-read. In Clurman's wonderfully bombastic style, this is the first person account of one of the most exciting theatrical movements *ever*. It tells of the Group Theater, a movement which brought Stanislavsky's theories to American acting, and gave rise to the careers of playwright Clifford Odets & future filmmaker Elia Kazan, among others. The story is amazing, truly inspirational, for those of us who love theater. About halfway through the text, I stopped being mildly irritated by Clurman's egomanical asides and started loving them. They give character to what might be rather dry history. Besides, the man helped to shape the American aesthetic. I think we might give him a little leeway... I finished this book feeling inspired by people who want to make their lives into art. It's a very personal story, and the real love affair in the book is between Clurman and the theater. And it's a gorgeous love story indeed. (Additionally, this text is a great peek into the spirit that moved the 1930's. Really interesting from a cultural historian's perspective, I'm sure.)
Rating:
Summary: A truly motivating piece of writing
Review: This book is one of the single most inspiring pieces of writing I have ever read. For actors, directors, designers, technicians, and playgoers, as well as historians, this book is a must-read. In Clurman's wonderfully bombastic style, this is the first person account of one of the most exciting theatrical movements *ever*. It tells of the Group Theater, a movement which brought Stanislavsky's theories to American acting, and gave rise to the careers of playwright Clifford Odets & future filmmaker Elia Kazan, among others. The story is amazing, truly inspirational, for those of us who love theater. About halfway through the text, I stopped being mildly irritated by Clurman's egomanical asides and started loving them. They give character to what might be rather dry history. Besides, the man helped to shape the American aesthetic. I think we might give him a little leeway... I finished this book feeling inspired by people who want to make their lives into art. It's a very personal story, and the real love affair in the book is between Clurman and the theater. And it's a gorgeous love story indeed. (Additionally, this text is a great peek into the spirit that moved the 1930's. Really interesting from a cultural historian's perspective, I'm sure.)
Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING!
Review: This is the book that inspired me to be an actor. It is all that the theatre should and could be. Every actor, director, teacher, should read this book. Clurman's passion and emotion is evident in every line. He is an amazing man and every actor in this country owes something to the Group.
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