As a Broadway fan, even before I actually saw the book, I wanted a copy of John Robert Allman’s A is for Audra. He wrote the book, but this picture book wouldn’t be anywhere near as wonderful without Peter Emmerich’s illustrations of Broadway’s leading ladies. It’s subtitled, “Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z”, and this adult just had to have this book. I love it more every time I look at it.

Check out that cover with Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, and Chita Rivera. The book goes back in Broadway history to include Gertrude Lawrence, but it’s also current with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. It covers everything from “Ain’t Misbehavin'” to “Gypsy” and Mary Martin as “Peter Pan”. The illustrations of the divas are wonderful. If I knew the star, I instantly recognized the drawing. And, I’ve seen six of the women on Broadway who are in the book.

Kelli O’Hara’s page, for instance, shows her in “South Pacific”, and says, “O’s the outstanding Ms. Kelli O’Hara as Nellie, Francesca, Mrs. Anna or Clara.” At the bottom of that page, it identifies her and says what the show is that’s portrayed. There’s an excellent section at the back of the book with short biographical sketches of each star. And, there’s places at the front and back of the book for autographs.

Do you have a Broadway fan in the family? Or, are you raising a child to be a fan of Broadway? This might be a children’s book, but I’m still captivated by this book and the stories behind it. I fell in love with A is for Audra.

A is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z by John Robert Altman. Illustrations by Peter Emmerich. Doubleday, 2019. ISBN 9780525645405 (hardcover).

A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of the book is donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought my copy of the book.