I’m fond of Marc Shaiman’s work so I decided to read his memoir: Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner (2026).
Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner tells the story of a kid who loved music and pursed his dream to be successful on Broadway.
And, Shaiman did.
Never Mind the Happy includes stories from Shaiman’s five-decade composing career. Shaiman’s biggest hits were musicals like Hairspray, Sister Act, and Smash.
I especially enjoyed Shaiman’s stories about his collaborations with stars like Bette Midler. If you’re a fan of musicals, you’ll find Shaiman’s stories of the creative process and the struggles to get Broadway shows up and running fascinating. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Prologue
1. Winding Brook Way
2. The Sound of Music
3. Manifesting Midler
4. God Save the City
5. It Takes an East Village
6. A Fur Chubby and a Miniskirt
7. Saturday Night Live
8. Suddenly, Nothing Is the Same
9. Barbra Is Upset
10. Skylark
11. Legends!
12. People Come and Go So Quickly Here!
13. Beaches
14. When Billy Met Marc
15. Talent Is Talent (Says Rob Reiner)
16. What Comes First?
17. My Scott Rudin Era
18. One for My Baby
19. Sleepless With Nora
20. I’m the Schmuck
21. South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut
22. The View From the Nosebleeds
23. I Killed Stephen Sondheim
24. Hairspray: Good Morning Baltimore
25. Hairspray: You Can’t Stop the Beat
26. Fame Dropping
27. Look What He Made
28. Martin Short: Fame Becomes Him
29. The Second Time Around
30. Catch Me If You Can
31. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
32. Smash
33. Mary Poppins Returns
34. Some Like It Hot
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
To my mild surprise (given involvement, apparently, with SNL if not also other projects). Shaiman’s name rings only a faint bell. But (“Shame, man!”) I’ve only fitfully been a musicals guy, even given how much I’m a music fan (and terrible musician) and keen audience for dramatic work. I’ll keep an eye out.
Never heard of him, but I’m too far off Broadway to notice it!
Bob, but you have heard of SISTER ACT, HAIRSPRAY, and SMASH! Shaiman is the composer!
You’d be amazed what I haven’t heard of in my monklike lifestyle!
Bob, for a monk, you have a colorful Past!