An absolute delightful autobiography by playwright Moss Hart. He grew up in poverty but had an early love for the theatre. He worked as a social director at summer camps, building himself up to the most in demand director for all of the camps. He had written several plays during this time, none of which were produced but finally had one called Once in a Lifetime that was produced. The book tells of his early childhood and times as a social director but more important, the collaborative effort with George S. Kaufman and getting Once in a Lifetime produced. His writing in the book describes Kaufman in such detail that you feel you know him. The work done during this collaborative effort is also discussed as well as the re-write process after out of town tryouts. The reader was so elated when the play finally turned out to be a success and his family was able to escape poverty. A great look at life on Broadway in the early part of the 20th century. My only criticism would be there are no photos in the book. ( )

Excellent memoir of new playwright going from poverty to success. I don't know why I never read this before. Very well written and I empathized with him a lot. ( )

Well written, gripping ( )

This is great American tale about hard work, making the big time and the love of the theater. Written in 1957 shortly before he died Moss Hart was the playwright for You Can't Take it With You, My Fair Lady and dozens of others of hits during the thirties through the fifties. This is a delightful story of Hart's early days growing up poor, working his way through his first broadway Hit--Once in a Lifetime. This memoir was recently turned into a play itself starring Tony Shaloub. I hope they make a movie with Shaloub! ( )

"Act One" covers the author's early days, from his impoverished boyhood in the Bronx a hundred years ago, to his first big Broadway opening. Improbably, the book reveals, he was consumed by the theater from an early age, and improbably, he became a great success. Along the way, the book covers a multitude of things, mostly connected to the theater itself. The author's tone is measured and polite, a bit old fashioned, perhaps, but engaging. I am old enough to remember Hart's Broadway, and this book is a wonderful reminder of how exciting it was -- and is. ( )