TRICKSTERS AND HUCKSTERS: SHOW BIZ ARCHETYPES

Robert L. Freedman writes this column under the nom de plume Addison De Witt for HeadlineMuse.com, an online 'zine that uses mythology and archetypes to look at contemporary culture and politics. Click on the headlines for the full column. HeadlineMuse.com is the brainchild of Laura A. Shamas, PhD., playwright, author, cultural mythologist, college professor and social commentator. Check out the site – you'll be glad you did.

• "The Producer" – A budding screenwriter is told, "You'll never work again in this town."
  
  
• "The Genius" – Leonard Bernstein was a master at conducting, composing, teaching...and charades.
  
  
• "The Mentor" Part I – A Broadway legend takes a young musical theatre writer under his wing.
  
  
• "The Mentor" Part II – The roller coaster ride though old-time Broadway continues.
  
  
• "The Monster" Part I – A bitter, neurotic Broadway director takes over a television tribute to a great Broadway composer.
  
  
• "The Monster" Part II – Will it be a Great Performance or a Great Disaster?
  
  
• "Fascination" – A memorable night in New York with two Broadway stars, still in love many years after their divorce.
  
  
• "Manny and Morty" – An aging movie producer tries to get back on top.
  
  
• "The Diva" Part I – Writing a movie musical for a superstar.
  
  
• "The Diva" Part II – The superstar sets the standard for bad behavior on the set.
  
  
• "The Megalomaniac and the Crowd Pleaser" Part I – The King of Las Vegas meets the King of Broadway.
  
  
• "The Megalomaniac and the Crowd Pleaser" Part II – Nobody says no to the King.
  
  
• "Side by Side" – Stephen Sondheim, man or God?
  
  
• "The Envelope, Please" – Who hasn't dreamed of making that acceptance speech?
  
  
• "The Show Biz Sociopath" – Backstabbing Hollywood vipers and the people who enable them.
  
  
• "The Operator" – The smooth Beverly Hills lawyer who promised to change my life.
  
  
• "Magic" – God bless the child who's got his own.
  
  
• "Murder Most Foul" – True crime, in and out of Hollywood.
  
  
• "The Tragic Victim" – Billie Holiday, Show Biz Archetype.
  
  
• "The Good Guys" – Proof that not everyone in Show Biz is a sociopath.
  
  
• "Bad Casting" – Tom Hanks for Governor.
  
  
• "Real Power" – After September 11th.
  

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