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'Tis the Season for Giving Books
 The Pursuit of Perfection
Carol Bishop-Gwyn
A tremendously penetrating biography of Celia Franca, founder of the National Ballet of Canada. A beautifully illustrated volume which is an essential addition to the canon of Canadian dance literature. Written with depth, insight, and a journalist's insatiable curiosity, this book is perfect for anyone interested in dance, the arts, or Canadian institutions. Hardcover, 420 pp. $36.00.
 Look, I Made a Hat
Stephen Sondheim
The eagerly anticipated to Sondheim's best-selling, critically acclaimed Finishing The Hat. This volume covers the work done by this essentail artist between 1981 and 2011. In his own words, it is the "collected lyrics with attendant comments, amplifications, dogmas, harangues, digressions, anecdotes, and miscellany". The perfect gift for any musical theatre fan, lover of letters, or for anyone who appreciates genius and wit. Hardcover, 453 pp. $50.00.
 Verdi's Shakespeare
Garry Wills
A dazzling study of the writing and staging of Verdi's three operas adapted from Shakespeare. Comparing the lives, works, and styles of these two giants of the theatre, this book is a fascinating portrait of two different theatrical worlds. Hardcover, 220 pp. $30.00.
 The Comedy Bible
Brian McKim & Traci Skene
From improv to standup, and from satire to slapstick, this essential guide will show you how to get yourself a cult following or achieve mainstream success in comedy. Ha! Hardcover, coil-bound. 250 pp. $27.50.
 Spencer Tracy: A Biography
James Curtis
From his boyhood in Milwaukee, to his Broadway succes, to his distinguished film career and his famous relationships and habits, Spencer Tracy comes to life in this thrilling and exhaustively researched biography. Hardcover, 980 pp. $46.00.
 Life Itself
Roger Ebert
In this brilliant and touchingly personal autobiography, Roger Ebert shares his life stories, all told with candour and charm. The opening line, "I was born inside the movie of my life." is fulfilled on every page until the very end. A life as big and cinematic as any of the big screen epics while at the same time as detailed and finely rendered as a sketch drawn by a master painter. He really is the consummate story teller who takes the reader through time and to the many locations where he has experienced the best and worst in life. This is a must read. Signed copies available. Hardcover. $29.99.
 Pauline Kael: A Life in the Dark
Brian Kellow
In her nearly quarter century as film critic for The New Yorker, Pauline Kael became the most widely read, the most influential, the most powerful, and, often enough, the most provocative critic in America. Much lauded biographer Brian Kellow examines her success as well as her battles, her fights with fellow critics, and other aspects of her life and career. Hardcover, 410 pp. $32.50.
 Drama: An Actor's Education
John Lithgow
In this witty and intelligent memoir, John Lithgow shares the story of his life with honesty and humour. From his childhood travelling across the States, performing in his father's Shakespeare company, his education in England, and his breakthrough success on Broadway, to his final days with his beloved father.This memoir is not to be missed. Hardcover, 320 pp. $28.99.
 The Age of Movies: Selected Writings of Pauline Kael
Pauline Kael & Sanford Schwartz
Pauline Kael, in her years as film critic for the New Yorker, emerged as one of the most important film critics of the century. Here is a collection of some of her best writing, and endlessly revealing and entertaining dialogue with Kael at her witty, exhilarating, and opinionated best. Hardcover, 828 pp. $46.00.
 Monsters in the Movies
John Landis
A lushly illustrated guide to all the best mummies, vampires, werewolves, zombies, mad scientists, ghosts and more from throughout the world history of film. An unparalleled guide to all things nasty in the cinema. Hardcover, 340 pp. $45.00.
 The Acting Bible
Michael Powell
For drama students and aspiring actors, The Acting Bible is the essential brush-up guide to acting technique. Covering a range of skills, from physical expressiveness to voice projection, and demonstrating how to analyze and understand scripts, this comprehensive reference is designed for actors in all media -- theatre, television, and film. Softcover, 256 pp. $27.50.
 The Shaw Festival: The First Fifty Years
L.W. Conolly
Drawing extensively on the Shaw Festival archives housed at the University of Guelph, author Leonard Conolly recounts in this beautifully illustrated book the remarkable story of the genesis, founding, and development of one of Canad's greatest cultural success stories. Hardcover, 320 pp. $50.00.
 A Fiery Soul: The Life and Theatrical Times of John Hirsch
Fraidie Martz & Andrew Wilson
Legendary giant of Canadian theatre.
John Hirsch arrived in Winnipeg in 1947, a 17-year-old Hungarian orphan of the Holocaust, knowing no English. Ten years later, he co-founded the Manitoba Theatre Centre, establishing a model for regional theatres across North America. He went on to direct award-winning productions in Los Angeles, New York, Stratford and Toronto - everything from Guys and Dolls to The Tempest - and to work with actors like Len Cariou, Martha Henry, Anthony Hopkins, and Maggie Smith. Notorious for his fiery temper, budget - blowing sets, and artistic risk-taking, he had a stormy four years as CBC's head of TV drama in the 1970s (high and low points include King of Kensington and Peter Lougheeds lawsuit over The Tar Sands), and an even stormier tenure as Artistic Director at the Stratford Festival from 1981 to 1985. He died in 1989 of AIDS.
Praise for John Hirsch:
"In life and on stage, John Hirsch knew how to corrupt his audience with pleasure. Swift of mind and of gesture, Hirsch was a dazzling director - playful, witty, and daring; as a friend and collaborator, he was some kind of rabbinical Hungarian mensch. Unforgettable." - John Lahr, Senior Drama Critic, The New Yorker. Softcover $22.00.
 Fashion Designers at the Opera
Helena Matheopoulos
A collection of profiles and interviews with leading fashioon designers, including Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Emanuel Ungaro, and more, about their work designing for the opera. Hundreds of colour illustrations include original designers' sketches, photographs of the finished costumes, and images of the actual productions. Hardcover, 192 pp. $69.00.
 An Improvised Life: A Memoir
Alan Arkin
This is a revealing look into the creative mind of one of the craft's best practioners on stage or screen. Arrkin reveals not only insights about himself, but also truths for the rest of us abour work, relationships, and sens of self. Softcover, 201 pp. $19.50.
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