Opening Doors

Reimagining the American Musical

John Doyle

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781350508545
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Theatre

"In this honest, self reflective piece, John so beautifully and succinctly shares of his experience in theatre and the passion with which he pursues the opportunity to create art that is connective tissue for humanity and a reflection of the time we live in." - Cynthia Erivo, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning star of Wicked

Director John Doyle is an unlikely revolutionary. Described by critics as 'the saviour of the Broadway musical', the 'amazing Mr Musicals' and 'the man who changed the face of the American musical', his name alone has become synonymous with a style of reinvention that has opened doors to what commercial musical theatre can be in the 21st century.

In his first book Doyle reflects on the 50-year theatrical journey taken by a boy who never dreamt it could happen to him. Through simply working at his craft and trying to earn a living he gained a reputation for thinking outside of the box and is credited with helping create a new art form – that of actor-musician led musical theatre.

From the Highlands of Scotland to prestigious regional theatres and Broadway, he has achieved multiple Tony Awards thanks to revolutionary productions of Sweeney Todd, Company and The Color Purple. This reflective yet practical book tracks a rich and celebrated journey in theatre from one of its most important and recognized contemporary artists.

Through anecdotes, industry insight and practical advice, this book inspires students of theatre both young and old to look into themselves and discover what makes each of us unique. From working directly with esteemed artists such as Stephen Sondheim, John Weidman, John Kander and Terrence McNally to actors such as Patti LuPone, Chita Rivera, Judy Kuhn and Michael Cerveris, it also considers the challenges of programming and running a prestigious New York theatre at the height of Covid and against an ever shifting social background. This book is a record of a remarkable career in the theatre that demonstrates how art comes from within and our journeys make us who we are.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• Foreword by Patti LuPone
• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• 1 A Boy of No Importance
• 2 The Only White Guy on the Bus
• 3 The Early Artistic Director Years
• 4 The Later Artistic Director Years
• 5 Thinking Out of the Box
• 6 Why God Was a Woman!
• 7 Then Along Came Steve
• 8 Building The Box Set
• 9 Give My Regards to Broadway
• 10 Now I Was Driving the Bus!
• 11 From the Met to Sydney Opera House
• 12 Opening Doors
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Shows by Chapter
• Index
• Plates
• Copyright