Rewrites: A Memoir

Rewrites tracks Neil Simon's path as a comedy writer from his early days through his emergence as one of America's most successful playwrights. Simon chronicles his experiences writing for 1950s television, including work on Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar and the legendary writers' room that launched multiple careers. The memoir details Simon's transition from television into theater and his process of developing his signature style of comedy writing. His accounts include both personal struggles and professional milestones during the creation of plays like Come Blow Your Horn and The Odd Couple. Through raw honesty and direct observations, Simon examines the intersection of his family life, relationships, and creative work. His reflections illuminate the connections between a writer's personal experiences and their artistic output, revealing the real-world origins of his characters and situations. The book stands as a document of American entertainment's evolution from the golden age of television through the theater renaissance of the 1960s, while exploring universal themes about the price and rewards of pursuing creative work.

Readers value Simon's insider perspective on Broadway theater during its 1960s-70s heyday, highlighting his accounts of working with Mike Nichols and the development of shows like "Sweet Charity." Many reviews note his entertaining stories about theater personalities and behind-the-scenes drama. Positive reviews focus on: - First-hand details about show development - Humor and wit in storytelling - Coverage of both successes and failures Common criticisms: - Name-dropping becomes repetitive - Structure feels disorganized - Some accounts come across as self-congratulatory Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (93 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (38 ratings) Notable reader comments: "He brings the creative process to life with remarkable detail" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on famous friends, not enough on craft" - Amazon reviewer "His perspective on collaborations with legends like Fosse and Sondheim makes this worth reading" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🎭 Richard Simon worked as a playwright for over 30 years before writing this memoir, which offers an intimate look at Broadway and American theater from the 1960s through the 1990s. 📝 The book details Simon's collaborations with stars like Judy Holliday, George C. Scott, Julie Harris, and Robert Redford, providing behind-the-scenes glimpses of their working relationships. 🎬 Much of the memoir focuses on Simon's experiences adapting works for both stage and screen, including his Tony Award-winning musical "Sweet Charity" (1966). 👥 The author is the older brother of playwright Neil Simon, and the book offers unique insights into their relationship and shared theatrical world. 📚 "Rewrites" was published in 1996 and was praised for its candid portrayal of both the creative and business aspects of American theater, including the often-difficult process of bringing shows from concept to opening night.