Unmasked

Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the most successful musical theater artists of all time, provides listeners with a lengthy memoir that focuses mainly on his career up to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's original production. Blaming his verbosity, he hints at a potential second volume. While Lloyd Webber offhandedly narrates the brief prologue and epilogue, Derek Perkins skillfully handles the majority of the audiobook, giving it a cheeky and well-modulated narration. Backstage stories abound, but there is only minimal exploration of Lloyd Webber's divorces and the reasons behind his numerous squabbles with writing partner Tim Rice. Music and theater fans will enjoy this ultimate companion volume to Lloyd Webber works; the memoir includes the rationale and evolution of nearly all the songs and stories from so many memorable nights in the theater. W.A.G. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine