IRENE MANNING: THE REBELLIOUS PRIMA DONNA (paperback)

ISBN 9781593932497

Who was Irene Manning? She was a beautiful, talented, wilful, and rebellious woman who performed in every field of entertainment . Within this musical biography is revealed her thirty-two year friendship with the author, Gene Arceri. She trained for Grand Opera, but became a star in musical comedy on Broadway, London and motion pictures, starring opposite James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Dennis Morgan. Radio, television, and night clubs were also venues for her varied talents.

From cowboys, (Gene Autry); to presidents, (Ronald Reagan); from legendary musicians, (Glenn Miller), to immortal composers, (Kern, Lerner and Loewe), this is an archival story for reference and theatrical history; the genesis of theatrical history.

Several of the most important treasures of the book include Guy Bolton's personal letters, which are printed here for the first time; concerning the genesis of his legendary smash hit musical still playing on Broadway, "Anything Goes". They present a remarkable study of the creative process behind an endearing, decades old musical produced on stage throughout the West End London, Manhattan, New York and provinces.