Just about a year ago I released “More Fog, Please,” my one and only
non-fiction book, a memoir of some of my “adventures” directing community and
high school musicals over a period of thirty-one years. It truly was a delight
to revisit some of the eighty shows I directed during that time, and to recall
my interesting experiences when using stage fog … hence, the name, suggested by
my terrific editor, Ashleigh Evans.
I’ve had a nice response to the book and
at present it is being offered at a reduced price both on Amazon.com ($10.95)
and at the Pocono Cinema and Cultural Center in East Stroudsburg ($10.00). I
name lots of names, because every show involved a small army of people all
working together to produce some pretty darned good shows! If you were involved
in Pocono Lively Arts (1984-2007), Black Sheep Productions (2008-2011),
Stroudsburg High School (1974-1990), East Stroudsburg H.S. and later ESHS South
(1991-2015) musicals, you may find yourself in these pages. I wish I could have
included every person who contributed, and I named as many as I could.
By request, there are also signed copies
of not only this book but also my four novels (How I Grew Up, Eli’s Heart,
You Are My Song, and Jamie’s Children) available at the
theater. Books can be purchased whenever the theater is open. Don’t forget ─ books
make fine Christmas gifts! People tell me it’s a “fun read.” It certainly was
an enjoyable “write”! NOTE: A share of the proceeds from book sales goes to
help support the theater, so you’re giving to two good causes: a wonderful
community theater and a “starving author.”
SOME
COMMENTS FROM READERS:
“More
Fog, Please” is Susan Moore Jordan’s affectionate and witty look at her 31
years of directing community and high school musical productions. The director
has selected her favorites from some 80 musicals and (she) describes perils,
successes, things that made the show particularly memorable. The fog of the
title appears more than once, sometimes with near-disastrous consequences. It
is a testament to the excellence of the productions that many participants have
gone on to careers in music and the theater. Producers and directors of amateur
musicals will find a great deal to love in “More Fog, Please,” but every reader
will be entertained by the lively narrative which shows the drama behind the
drama.
*****************
"More
Fog, Please" is an incredibly captivating, quaint, beautiful portrait of
community theater in small-town Pennsylvania. With stories about some
well-known musicals, and other not-so-well-known musicals, the memoirs in this
book have something for everyone. Susan Moore Jordan brings these productions
back to life in a way I didn't think possible, bringing a new respect to the
hard work and dedication that it takes to put on a successful show.
*****************
The
book is written in a familiar, graceful style as if you are sitting across from
the author sharing a cup of tea and swapping tales. She gently brings the
reader through many of her productions. The ups and downs, the mishaps and
calamities, but through it all, she puts a face and history to the many people,
young and old who she worked countless hours with, and the many challenges they
all had to face building a successful production.
*****************
Capping
a remarkable musical career, Susan Jordan has published her memoir of 31 years
of directing amateur theater for Pocono Lively Arts (P.L.A.) and Stroudsburg
and East Stroudsburg High Schools. A reminiscence of 80 shows from 1984 to
2015, “More Fog, Please” highlights all the measures – moving, stressful,
comical, scary – that confirmed the old adage “the show must go on.” For anyone
connected with any of Jordan's productions, this easy read will be a delightful
trip down memory lane. For those in the audience, it is a peak at the months of
creative labors that bore the fruitful stage production you enjoyed. For those
aspiring to be directors, it is an enlightening, encouraging, engaging
must-read.
Facebook
author page: https://www.facebook.com/sjordanauthor/
Cover by Tristan Flanagan
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