On Wednesday, August 24, Broadway musical director, arranger, and conductor David Loud (The Visit, The Scottsboro Boys, Sondheim on Sondheim, Curtains, Ragtime, A Class Act, Steel Pier, and revivals of Porgy and Bess, She Loves Me, Company, and Sweeney Todd) will appear at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Union Square for a free ticketed discussion, reading, and signing of his new autobiography Facing the Music. He will be joined by Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Debra Monk, who worked with him on the Broadway musical Steel Pier.
The memoir, which skyrocketed to #1 on Amazon’s Musical Theater section in pre-order, recounts Loud’s entertaining, poignant, and optimistic journey from a stage-struck childhood at a school devoted to organic farming and mountain-climbing through the challenges of adolescence to his behind-the-scenes accounts of his decades-long career on and around Broadway with some of the most illustrious stars of the stage. Skilled at masking his fears, he achieves his dream, until one opening night, in the midst of a dressing room celebration, he can no longer deny reality and must suddenly “face the music” of the ravages of Parkinson’s disease. The book reveals his triumphant and inspiring struggle of adapting and prevailing over the effects of his illness, along with his unabated love of music.
If you plan to attend, please note that the author will be signing and personalizing books but purchasing a copy of Facing the Music from Barnes & Noble Union Square is required to join the signing line. In addition, any gifts for David will be collected prior to the signing line, no memorabilia will be signed at the event, and no large bags will be permitted. For more information, call the store at (212) 253-0810.
Facing the Music book-signing and discussion takes place on August 24, 2022, at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm for ticketholders; please have a copy of your ticket, either printed or on your phone, for check-in), at Barnes & Noble, Union Square, 33 East 17th Street, NYC. For free tickets, register here. Everyone (even if fully vaccinated) must wear a mask inside the building and observe social distancing while taking photos with the author.
Copies of the book (Regan Arts, March 22, 2022, 288 pages, ISBN-13: 9781682451915, hardcover, $29.99, NOOK Book, $14.99) are available at the store and online.
