Up in the Cheap Seats

Up in the Cheap Seats chronicles Ron Fassler's teenage years attending Broadway shows in New York City during the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a high school student, Fassler managed to see over 200 theatrical productions by purchasing discounted tickets and traveling alone from Long Island to Manhattan. The book combines Fassler's personal memories with historical documentation of the Broadway theater scene during a transformative period. Through interviews with actors, directors, and other theater professionals who were active during this era, Fassler reconstructs the atmosphere and inner workings of Broadway's most significant venues and productions. Each chapter focuses on specific shows and includes both Fassler's immediate teenage reactions recorded in his journal and his modern-day perspective as a theater industry veteran. The narrative incorporates behind-the-scenes stories about major theatrical figures like Stephen Sondheim, Neil Simon, and Angela Lansbury. This memoir serves as both a coming-of-age story and a valuable historical record of American theater during a pivotal decade. The contrast between youthful enthusiasm and mature insight creates a unique lens through which to view the evolution of Broadway and its enduring impact on American culture.

Readers appreciate Fassler's personal stories of attending Broadway shows as a teenager in the 1970s. Many reviewers note his genuine enthusiasm and detailed memories bring the era to life. Theater fans connect with his perspective from the cheapest seats and encounters with notable performers. Positive reviews highlight: - Wealth of specific details about productions - Insight into NYC theater history - Personal anecdotes about stage legends - Authentic teenage perspective Common criticisms: - Writing can be repetitive - Some factual errors about shows/dates - Limited broader historical context - Too much focus on personal experiences Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (53 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (82 reviews) Notable review quotes: "A love letter to Broadway" - Theater Pizzazz "Could have used tighter editing but captures the magic of live theater" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect for theater history buffs but casual readers may find it too detailed" - Amazon reviewer

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🎭 Ron Fassler saw over 200 Broadway shows between 1969 and 1973, while he was just 12-16 years old, documenting each experience in a theatrical diary he kept at the time. 🎟️ The author regularly purchased tickets from the second balcony (the "cheap seats") for as little as $2-$3, often seeing shows multiple times by using money earned from his paper route. 🌟 The book features personal interviews with performers like Stacy Keach, Hal Prince, and Stephen Sondheim, who were part of the productions Fassler saw during this golden age of theater. 📅 The early 1970s period covered in the book saw the premieres of groundbreaking shows like "Company," "Follies," and "A Little Night Music," all of which Fassler attended and documented. 🗽 Much of Fassler's theatergoing was done alone, making weekly trips from his home in Long Island to Manhattan via the Long Island Railroad, experiencing Broadway during one of its most transformative decades.