brilliant interdisciplinary dramaturgical brain. and a very human human being. and an unabashed fan of many. a fabulous combination. see his comments about Judy Garland's late 1950s Metropolitan Opera (a specific venue that no longer exists) appearance ... in a review/essay that originally appeared in THE NEW YORKER .. as quoted in the book's introduction. of Garland's appearance there [Lahr as editor erroneously attributes this quote to a Garland Palace appearance but it was not] "embodies the persistence of youth so completely that we forbid her to develop, and permit her no maturity. Even in young middle age [Garland was then in her mid 30s], she must continue to sing about adolescence and al lthe pain and nostalgia that go with it. When the voice pours out as rich and pleading as ever, we know where, and how moved we are -- in the presence of a star, and embarrassed by tears. [p.13] sigh.

Group O1