Compared to the wit and flair I had expected, I found this volume boring and dull. It is largely a compilation (with Suskin providing brief notes) of theatrical reviews. Approach this with care if, as I did, you searched on a star's name and found a mention in this book - it may be only one line.

I had expected great humour, inside knowledge, entertaining stories of the backstage. Frankly, I wish I had kept the receipt - I would have returned it the next day.

If you are looking for a fresh look at some of Broadway's bomb, do not stop here.

Suskind wrote very little in this book of previously-published material by other people. This book is more accuratly "compiled by" than "by" him.

I refrain from entirely discounting this book because it publishes (more or less) in their entirety sources that were used by much better authors by their much better books. It may be a reference for theatre students, but there isn't much else to recommend this book.

And don't get me wrong; flops are a source of morbid fascination for me. This is why I am so disappointed with this particlar volume -- there's nothing in it that you can't get in other, better written, better compiled, and better organized tomes.

On 45th Street in Manhattan there is a restaurant that is favored by theatre folk and playgoers alike, Joe Alllen's is it's name and on their walls are theatrical posters, not unusual for the locale, being in the heart of the theatre district, what's notable about the collection of posters is that all those displayed were huge flops. Steven Suskin's, "Second Act Trouble" takes this concept (theatrical failures) and illuminates how once promising shows turn into failures. The collection covers twenty or so Broadway shows(some never made it to The Great White Way) that flopped, losing all or most of their investment. The articles, published previously from bios and newspaper accounts from various writers, are grouped into chapters such as; When Everything Goes Wrong, Star Turns and Battle Stations. Suskin has assembled the most illuminating accounts of; what seemed like a good idea at the time, Liza Minneli directed by Martin Scorcesse-can't fail, right? It is a very enjoyable read although as you follow show after show dive off a cliff it gets a little depressing, how they failed; the who, what and where of" bombs" could be instructive for investors and producers alike, but, alas there is no sure fire formula for a hit show (could you imagine a show about a murderer who dices up his victims and makes pies out of them plus he's singing-Sweeny Todd). I am a theatre goer but even if you are not it's a fascinating peek into Broadway and what makes it tick...and sometimes it's ticking is the prelude to a very large bomb. Fun read.

Theatre buffs will quickly come to find SECOND ACT TROUBLE: BEHIND THE SCENES AT BROADWAY'S BIG MUSICAL BOMBS an essential guide to which shows have failed - and why. Veteran theatrical manager and producer Suskin analyzes over twenty Broadway musical flops from the 1930s to the 1990s, using accounts by those directly involved and articles from respected critics of the times to consider financial failures across the board, from famous productions by well-known artists to lesser-known Broadway shows. Adding his own notes, Suskin provides well-rounded analysis of failures and their influences.