Break a Leg!: A Treasury of Theatre Traditions and Superstitions

Ever wondered why actors don’t wear green onstage? Or never wish each other “good luck”? Or avoid whistling in the dressing room? Or refuse to mention a certain Shakespeare play by name? “BREAK A LEG!” A TREASURY OF THEATRE TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS is a fascinating compendium of facts and fancies about theatre life, exploring the origin of the colorful traditions and superstitions that are as vital a part of theatre as the plays onstage. Includes entries on: Cats, Candles & Curtains • Peacock, Mirrors & Make-up • Flowers, Jewelry & Thread • The Gypsy Robe • The Ghost Light • Opening Night! • Why Is It Called “the Green Room”? • Don’t Quote the Scottish Play! • St. Genesius & Other Saintly Aids to Actors • Unusual Theatre Terms • Famous Actors and Their Superstitions • Stage Turkeys and the Notorious Broadway Moose • Theatre Ghosts . . . and much more. “BREAK A LEG!” A TREASURY OF THEATRE TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS is the perfect Opening Night gift for your favorite theatre friends or for anyone interested in theatre life and lore.

LISA BANSAVAGE is an actress whose career comprises Broadway, Off Broadway, regional theatre, film, television and national commercial credits including Master Class, A Man for All Seasons, The Grapes of Wrath, Grace & Glorie, Mastergate, Red Scare on Sunset, The Changeling, The Country Wife, A View from the Bridge, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Sisters Rosenweig, Night of the Iguana, A Time to Kill, Married to the Mob, Three Men and a Baby, The Fisher King, Diary of Anne Frank, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, The Loman Family Picnic, Law and Order/Criminal Intent and a third of the full Shakespearean canon as well as a role opposite Sir Anthony Quayle in the BBC-London production of An Exchange of Gifts. She is a proud graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University’s theatre conservatory and holds a Masters in Theatre from the University of Pittsburgh where she was the Merrill Fellow. Today, she utilizes her theatrical skills and stage experience pursuing a successful career as an Interfaith minister and ceremonial officiant – see www.revbansavage.com.