📖 Overview
Ethan Mordden is an American author and cultural historian best known for his chronicles of gay life in New York City and his extensive writings on American musical theater history.
His most influential works include the interconnected series of stories about gay life known as the "Buddies" cycle, published between 1985 and 2005. These books, including "I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore" and "How Long Has This Been Going On," document the gay experience in Manhattan from the 1960s through the AIDS crisis and beyond.
In the realm of musical theater scholarship, Mordden has written numerous definitive volumes on Broadway history, including "Make Believe: The Broadway Musical in the 1920s" and other decade-by-decade analyses. His work combines detailed research with critical analysis of the American musical's development throughout the 20th century.
Beyond theater and gay literature, Mordden has published books on opera, Hollywood film, and American popular culture, demonstrating his broad expertise in performing arts history. His writing style merges academic insight with accessible storytelling, making his work valuable to both scholars and general readers.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Mordden's deep knowledge of musical theater history and his ability to bring Broadway's past to life with specific details and context. His theater books receive particular acclaim for balancing factual documentation with engaging narratives.
For the Buddies series, readers connect with his portrayal of gay life in New York, noting the authentic voice and emotional resonance. Several reviews highlight his wit and humor in addressing serious topics.
Common criticisms include:
- Dense writing style that can be difficult to follow
- Occasional tendency toward meandering tangents
- Some find his tone pretentious or overly academic
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: Average 4.2/5 stars
Goodreads: Average 3.8/5 stars
"The Broadway Musicals" series averages higher ratings (4.5/5) than his fiction works (3.5/5). Review comments often note his expertise but mention the books require focused reading rather than casual browsing. One frequent Amazon reviewer stated: "Mordden knows his subject inside and out, but you need to commit to following his detailed analysis."
📚 Books by Ethan Mordden
One Last Kiss - A novel following a group of gay men in New York City during the 1970s and early 1980s, exploring their relationships and the impact of the AIDS crisis.
How Long Has This Been Going On? - Chronicles seven decades of gay life in America through interconnected stories of various characters from the 1940s to the 1990s.
The Venice Adriana - Historical fiction about an opera singer in 19th century Venice and her complex relationship with a composer.
I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore - A non-fiction examination of gay culture and life in New York City during the 1970s.
That Jazz! - A comprehensive history of the American musical theater from the 1920s through the 1970s.
Make Believe: The Broadway Musical in the 1920s - Detailed analysis of Broadway musicals during the 1920s, including their cultural context and artistic developments.
Beautiful Mornin': The Broadway Musical in the 1940s - Examines the evolution of Broadway musicals during the 1940s, focusing on major productions and creative figures.
Coming up Roses: The Broadway Musical in the 1950s - Documents the transformation of Broadway musicals during the 1950s golden age.
Open a New Window: The Broadway Musical in the 1960s - Explores the changes in musical theater during the 1960s, including the influence of rock music and social movements.
The Happiness of Getting It Down Right: Letters of Frank O'Connor and William Maxwell - Compilation of correspondence between writer Frank O'Connor and his New Yorker editor William Maxwell.
The American Theatre - A historical overview of American theater from colonial times to the modern era.
How Long Has This Been Going On? - Chronicles seven decades of gay life in America through interconnected stories of various characters from the 1940s to the 1990s.
The Venice Adriana - Historical fiction about an opera singer in 19th century Venice and her complex relationship with a composer.
I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore - A non-fiction examination of gay culture and life in New York City during the 1970s.
That Jazz! - A comprehensive history of the American musical theater from the 1920s through the 1970s.
Make Believe: The Broadway Musical in the 1920s - Detailed analysis of Broadway musicals during the 1920s, including their cultural context and artistic developments.
Beautiful Mornin': The Broadway Musical in the 1940s - Examines the evolution of Broadway musicals during the 1940s, focusing on major productions and creative figures.
Coming up Roses: The Broadway Musical in the 1950s - Documents the transformation of Broadway musicals during the 1950s golden age.
Open a New Window: The Broadway Musical in the 1960s - Explores the changes in musical theater during the 1960s, including the influence of rock music and social movements.
The Happiness of Getting It Down Right: Letters of Frank O'Connor and William Maxwell - Compilation of correspondence between writer Frank O'Connor and his New Yorker editor William Maxwell.
The American Theatre - A historical overview of American theater from colonial times to the modern era.
👥 Similar authors
Ken Mandelbaum writes comprehensive histories of Broadway musicals and analyzes both hits and flops. His work includes detailed accounts of show development and critical reception, similar to Mordden's theatrical chronicles.
Gerald Mast focuses on film history and criticism with an emphasis on early Hollywood and comedy. His writing style combines historical research with critical analysis of how movies evolved as an art form.
Gary Giddins specializes in jazz history and criticism, documenting the evolution of American popular music. His biographical works examine artists' lives while placing them in cultural context, matching Mordden's approach to entertainment history.
William Goldman writes about theater and film from an insider's perspective as both critic and creator. His books combine industry knowledge with behind-the-scenes accounts of how shows and movies are made.
Barry Singer chronicles Broadway history with emphasis on composers and lyricists who shaped musical theater. His research incorporates primary sources and interviews to document theatrical evolution through key creative figures.
Gerald Mast focuses on film history and criticism with an emphasis on early Hollywood and comedy. His writing style combines historical research with critical analysis of how movies evolved as an art form.
Gary Giddins specializes in jazz history and criticism, documenting the evolution of American popular music. His biographical works examine artists' lives while placing them in cultural context, matching Mordden's approach to entertainment history.
William Goldman writes about theater and film from an insider's perspective as both critic and creator. His books combine industry knowledge with behind-the-scenes accounts of how shows and movies are made.
Barry Singer chronicles Broadway history with emphasis on composers and lyricists who shaped musical theater. His research incorporates primary sources and interviews to document theatrical evolution through key creative figures.