Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The definitive, deluxe art book about Edward Gorey's theater work--from the iconic and Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Dracula to the wildly creative productions to which he devoted the last decade of his life. Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was a prodigious and original artist who published more than one hundred beloved works, including The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Doubtful Guest, and Amphigorey, and illustrations that appeared regularly in such publications as The New Yorker and The New York Times and books by authors ranging from Charles Dickens and T.S. Eliot to John Updike and Virginia Woolf, among many others. His animated credits for the PBS Mystery series introduced him to millions of television viewers. In addition to his intricate pen-and-ink drawings and darkly humorous storybooks, Gorey also nurtured a lifelong passion for the performing arts. This volume is the first to showcase his extensive theatrical work, including his transition from designing major productions to crafting original community theater pieces on Cape Cod.
Written by his friend and collaborator Carol Verburg, this deluxe hardcover edition is filled with annotated scripts, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and over 200 images, including archival photos and previously unpublished artwork. It unveils Gorey at work and play, drawing back the curtain on his enigmatic genius, which continues to inspire creatives and collectors today.
ICONIC ARTIST: Edward Gorey's art is beloved and instantly recognizable. Storytellers such as Tim Burton and Daniel Handler cite him as an inspiration, and his influence is visible in the works of illustrators ranging from Tom Gauld to Stephanie von Reiswitz. With an oeuvre that ranges widely from storybooks to the stage, Gorey is a major artist of the 20th century.
RARE AND UNPUBLISHED CONTENT: This is the first book focused on Gorey's theater work and includes previously unpublished and rarely seen archival photos, illustrations, and scripts--some annotated in Gorey's own hand. It is an essential read for collectors and fans.
THE INSIDE STORY: Carol Verburg was Gorey's close friend and creative comrade-in-arms all through the last decade of his life, and she writes with insight and a personal touch. She intersperses her own reminiscences with quotes from actors and other collaborators to weave a vivid narrative.
EXQUISITE GIFT: With rich visuals, engaging writing, and a deluxe hardcover package featuring a red velvet spine, this is a beautiful volume to display on a coffee table and the perfect gift for Gorey fans and theater buffs.
Perfect for:
- Fans and collectors of Edward Gorey's books and illustrations
- Lovers of theater, theater history, and theatrical design and production
- Art students and collectors
- Readers of memoirs and biographies
Synopsis
Step behind the curtain into The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey This stunning deluxe book is a long-awaited portal for Gorey fans, collectors, and curious explorers into the fantastical world of a unique artist.
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) emerged as a cult hero with unsettling graphic novelettes like The Gashlycrumb Tinies and The Doubtful Guest. He became a pop-culture icon for his stark, intricate designs for Dracula on Broadway and his animated credits for PBS's Mystery But Gorey wasn't just a quirky, darkly humorous storyteller and illustrator. In The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey, his close friend and collaborator Carol Verburg celebrates his lifelong passion for the stage. Her first-hand account follows Gorey's evolution as a playwright, designer, and director, from his radical experiments with Harvard's legendary Poets' Theatre to his Tony Award-winning designs for Dracula to his whimsical puppet pastiches of classics like Hamlet and Madame Butterfly.
Inside these velvet-bound covers is an intimate look into Edward Gorey's creative life. Thanks to the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust, it's the first publication of numerous original scripts--some annotated by the author--and over 200 rare or previously unseen images from Gorey's archives: sketches, notebook doodles, finished artwork. Recollections and photos by Verburg and other members of Edward Gorey's theatrical troupe flesh out this deeply personal portrait of the man behind the eccentric genius.
Why You'll Love This Book:
- An Influential Legacy: Edward Gorey's distinctive style continues to inspire creative artists around the world: Tim Burton, Daniel Handler, Tom Gauld, Stephanie von Reiswitz, The Tiger Lillies, and many others.
- Exclusive Treasures: Dive into unpublished scripts, illustrations, and backstage stories--complete with Gorey's own notes.
- A Personal Touch: Carol Verburg's warm storytelling brings Gorey's world to life in heartfelt detail.
- A Gift to Treasure: Beautifully crafted and bound in red velvet, this hardcover edition is a showstopper for any coffee table or book collection.
Perfect for:
- Fans and collectors of Edward Gorey's books and illustrations
- Lovers of theater, theater history, and theatrical design and production
- Art students and collectors
- Readers of memoirs and biographies
The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey isn't just a keepsake--it's an invitation to fall in love with Gorey's brilliant imagination all over again.