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Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner
From the award-winning composer/co-lyricist behind such iconic projects as Hairspray, Sister Act, Mary Poppins Returns, and Smash comes a wickedly funny, no-holds-barred memoir.
In Never Mind the Happy, musical dynamo Marc Shaiman looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him—spending his teenage years in community theater, starting a decades-long collaboration with Bette Midler in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on.
Candid, hilarious, and deeply human, Shaiman’s story is a tribute to the power of music, the pull of the spotlight, and the beat that never stops.
Part showbiz tell-all, part love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity, told with perfect comic timing—along with a few wrong notes, and plenty of standing ovations.
In Never Mind the Happy, musical dynamo Marc Shaiman looks back on five decades of Broadway triumphs, Hollywood hijinks, and unforgettable collaborations. Along the way, he charts the personal highs and heartbreaks that have shaped him—spending his teenage years in community theater, starting a decades-long collaboration with Bette Midler in the ’70s, surviving the AIDS crisis of the ’80s, his award-winning film music career in the Hollywood of the ’90s, right up to the peaks (and valleys) of creating Broadway musicals from 2000 on.
Candid, hilarious, and deeply human, Shaiman’s story is a tribute to the power of music, the pull of the spotlight, and the beat that never stops.
Part showbiz tell-all, part love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity, told with perfect comic timing—along with a few wrong notes, and plenty of standing ovations.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published January 27, 2026
52 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book, it was such a name droppy gossipy story of someone whose work I've loved since high school (our thespian troupe took a trip to see Hairspray). If youre a fan of any of Marc's work id recommend picking up this book.
Specifically the audiobook, because not only does Marc sing, he has some musical theater legends singing too! I listen at 2.5x speed but I slowed the playback down to listen to the singing but also to the list of names in chapter 8 you can hear the emotion in his voice during that part specifically.
Thank you RBMedia and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Specifically the audiobook, because not only does Marc sing, he has some musical theater legends singing too! I listen at 2.5x speed but I slowed the playback down to listen to the singing but also to the list of names in chapter 8 you can hear the emotion in his voice during that part specifically.
Thank you RBMedia and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 6, 2025
I love a good celebrity memoir, so Marc Shaiman's Never Mind the Happy was firmly in my reading wheelhouse. Shaiman is the musical genius responsible for composing award-winning scores and songs for many notable movies and for co-creating successful Broadway shows, a multitalent who has also arranged and orchestrated musical numbers and accompanied a panoply of famous singers on the piano.
From a recent tour of his Some Like It Hot musical to the most touching song in the movie Mary Poppins Returns to the excitement of "Let Me Be Your Star" on the TV show Smash, his music has definitely been part of my life. He has also been a collaborator and friend of many celebrities, with long-term working relationships with Bette Midler, Martin Shore, Billy Crystal, and many more. For his first Broadway show, Hairspray, he takes us through the entire process, step by step, with all of the highs and lows, giving us the behind-the-scenes details we love. And his section on losing many of his friends during the AIDS epidemic is touching and memorable. Sprinkled throughout the book are lyrics that he wrote, co-wrote, or adapted which made him especially proud. It's a very entertaining read for those who enjoy musical theater and films and iwnt to learn more about them from an insider.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
From a recent tour of his Some Like It Hot musical to the most touching song in the movie Mary Poppins Returns to the excitement of "Let Me Be Your Star" on the TV show Smash, his music has definitely been part of my life. He has also been a collaborator and friend of many celebrities, with long-term working relationships with Bette Midler, Martin Shore, Billy Crystal, and many more. For his first Broadway show, Hairspray, he takes us through the entire process, step by step, with all of the highs and lows, giving us the behind-the-scenes details we love. And his section on losing many of his friends during the AIDS epidemic is touching and memorable. Sprinkled throughout the book are lyrics that he wrote, co-wrote, or adapted which made him especially proud. It's a very entertaining read for those who enjoy musical theater and films and iwnt to learn more about them from an insider.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
February 3, 2026
Last year, I found myself captivated by the memoirs of several people I admire—Edmund White, Lorne Michaels, and Graydon Carter—each at a stage in their careers where they can look back and reflect on their remarkable journeys. To that list, I now add Marc Shaiman’s "Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winne"r. Shaiman’s book is a wickedly funny, deeply personal chronicle of five decades in musical theater and film. As the award-winning composer and lyricist behind Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns, and Sister Act, Shaiman delivers a candid account of the highs and heartbreaks along his path. Despite his impressive achievements, Shaiman refers to himself as an “Eeyore” and a “card-carrying pessimist,” always expecting the other shoe to drop (...we call that being Jewish). The memoir unfolds through a series of lively “showbiz tell-all” anecdotes, tracing his journey from a teenage musical prodigy (he played at Marie’s Crisis before he graduated high school!) and Bette Midler’s musical director to a Hollywood staple scoring classics like Sleepless in Seattle and The Addams Family. Among the stories: the time he inadvertently got Stephen Sondheim so high at a party that the iconic composer collapsed, his sparring with Nora Ephron (...I didn’t realize she was rude!), and Shaiman’s partnering with the creators of South Park.
Reading Shaiman’s detailed account of the creative process behind Hairspray was particularly interesting to me, as it brought me back to a world I experienced firsthand—I interned on the original Broadway production in the fall of 2002, just after its opening. Shaiman writes honestly about the peaks and valleys of making Broadway musicals, and being present during the Hairspray era felt like witnessing a once-in-a-generation “peak.” I vividly recall the energy at the Neil Simon Theatre, and his inside perspective on those years was a nostalgic homecoming. I sat in on rehearsals and saw them run through the show in street clothes while half-humming the musical numbers, and thought I was witnessing the most inside-theater moment, ever.
Shaiman is refreshingly candid about his fraught encounters with Hollywood royalty and never shies away from recounting his own struggles or setbacks. I especially appreciate his openness about his battles with substance abuse and his willingness to discuss professional failures without sugarcoating (Smash, anyone?) . I once crossed paths with him when I delivered something to his Chelsea apartment, which he shared at the time with his creative and life partner, Scott Whitman. (Shaiman addresses their relationship at length in the memoir—their transition from romantic partners to separately married best friends and collaborators is depicted with affection.) Despite my status as a humble intern, he treated me with exceptional kindness. That same generosity radiates throughout his writing, allowing readers to experience his warmth and big-heartedness firsthand.
Shaiman’s main advice for aspiring artists is to “show up” and say yes to every opportunity. He proves this lesson through his own bold leaps—from flying to L.A. with no money to land a gig with Midler, to his collaborations with Billy Crystal and Martin Short. The book is also a moving “love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity,” confronting the loss of friends during the AIDS crisis. Whether you’re a fan of his scores or maybe you’re an artist in need of inspiration, Never Mind the Happy is pure showbiz joy. There’s so much to enjoy in these pages, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Reading Shaiman’s detailed account of the creative process behind Hairspray was particularly interesting to me, as it brought me back to a world I experienced firsthand—I interned on the original Broadway production in the fall of 2002, just after its opening. Shaiman writes honestly about the peaks and valleys of making Broadway musicals, and being present during the Hairspray era felt like witnessing a once-in-a-generation “peak.” I vividly recall the energy at the Neil Simon Theatre, and his inside perspective on those years was a nostalgic homecoming. I sat in on rehearsals and saw them run through the show in street clothes while half-humming the musical numbers, and thought I was witnessing the most inside-theater moment, ever.
Shaiman is refreshingly candid about his fraught encounters with Hollywood royalty and never shies away from recounting his own struggles or setbacks. I especially appreciate his openness about his battles with substance abuse and his willingness to discuss professional failures without sugarcoating (Smash, anyone?) . I once crossed paths with him when I delivered something to his Chelsea apartment, which he shared at the time with his creative and life partner, Scott Whitman. (Shaiman addresses their relationship at length in the memoir—their transition from romantic partners to separately married best friends and collaborators is depicted with affection.) Despite my status as a humble intern, he treated me with exceptional kindness. That same generosity radiates throughout his writing, allowing readers to experience his warmth and big-heartedness firsthand.
Shaiman’s main advice for aspiring artists is to “show up” and say yes to every opportunity. He proves this lesson through his own bold leaps—from flying to L.A. with no money to land a gig with Midler, to his collaborations with Billy Crystal and Martin Short. The book is also a moving “love letter to the melancholy that fuels creativity,” confronting the loss of friends during the AIDS crisis. Whether you’re a fan of his scores or maybe you’re an artist in need of inspiration, Never Mind the Happy is pure showbiz joy. There’s so much to enjoy in these pages, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
February 5, 2026
Hairspray is one of my all-time favorite musicals and one of my favorite comedies of all time is Down With Love, plus as a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I was tickled by the send-up of cheesy Broadway revues with “Rogers: The Musical” in the TV series Hawkeye, so of course I was chomping at the bit to read this book by the composer of those. Aside from those things I wasn’t aware that Shaiman had worked on other projects I’d enjoyed over the years, as well as things I’d never heard of, so this memoir was a real education.
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, as Shaiman includes lots of songs, many performed by luminaries of stage and screen. He reads the book, too, and it’s like having a conversation with your charming gay friend.
I would have blasted through this audiobook except for the fact I kept stopping to listen to various scores and musicals Shaiman has created over the years. For instance, like almost everyone my age I watched the final episodes when Johnny Carson retired from The Tonight Show in 1992, but I had no idea that Shaiman wrote the song Bette Midler sang to Johnny on that final appearance. And was her accompanist. So I had to watch that. Or that he adapted the movie Catch Me If You Can into a stage musical, so I found various versions of that to watch.
The people Shaiman’s worked with is a Who’s Who of Broadway and Hollywood, and the movies, TV series and theatre productions are a What’s What. Saturday Night Live, South Park, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Sister Act, City Slickers, Addams Family, A Few Good Men, Mary Poppins Returns the Oscars, the Tonys… crazy. There’s enough material left out here that he could write another three books.
So yeah, I highly recommend this one.
“Here’s To Love” from Down With Love, Shaiman is also the pianist in this bit: https://youtu.be/izt6sT9aJUU
“They Keep Moving the Line” from Smash: https://youtu.be/zXqfTCXQZ1o
“A Conversation” from Mary Poppins Returns: https://youtu.be/-nYFtcwgchc
“The Mamushka” from The Addams Family: https://youtu.be/EldT0FJUE3I
I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, as Shaiman includes lots of songs, many performed by luminaries of stage and screen. He reads the book, too, and it’s like having a conversation with your charming gay friend.
I would have blasted through this audiobook except for the fact I kept stopping to listen to various scores and musicals Shaiman has created over the years. For instance, like almost everyone my age I watched the final episodes when Johnny Carson retired from The Tonight Show in 1992, but I had no idea that Shaiman wrote the song Bette Midler sang to Johnny on that final appearance. And was her accompanist. So I had to watch that. Or that he adapted the movie Catch Me If You Can into a stage musical, so I found various versions of that to watch.
The people Shaiman’s worked with is a Who’s Who of Broadway and Hollywood, and the movies, TV series and theatre productions are a What’s What. Saturday Night Live, South Park, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Sister Act, City Slickers, Addams Family, A Few Good Men, Mary Poppins Returns the Oscars, the Tonys… crazy. There’s enough material left out here that he could write another three books.
So yeah, I highly recommend this one.
“Here’s To Love” from Down With Love, Shaiman is also the pianist in this bit: https://youtu.be/izt6sT9aJUU
“They Keep Moving the Line” from Smash: https://youtu.be/zXqfTCXQZ1o
“A Conversation” from Mary Poppins Returns: https://youtu.be/-nYFtcwgchc
“The Mamushka” from The Addams Family: https://youtu.be/EldT0FJUE3I
January 27, 2026
Full review: https://newyorktheater.me/2026/01/08/...
Marc Shaiman, one-half the songwriting team behind the Broadway musicals “Hairspray,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Some Like It Hot,” and “Smash,” doesn’t even start to tell us about any of his musicals until more than halfway through his new memoir, “ Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner” (Regalo Press, 298 pages)
The first half of that title is misleading: It’s what his mother said when wished a Happy New Year. Shaiman repeatedly calls himself an Eeyore (the depressed stuffed donkey in Winnie the Pooh), but in truth the predominant mood that comes through these pages is gleeful, not gloomy, as Shaiman recounts the promised “showbiz” anecdotes from his half century as a successful composer for stage and screen – and as a piano player, performer, lyricist, arranger, orchestrator, musical director, conductor, and, above all, an accompanist. That particular role reflects the two most persistent aspects of his character, both evident from an early age – musical talent and star-struck fan. He was a gay Jewish nerd growing up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, who put posters of his “idol” Bette Midler on the wall of his room at age 13, and “devoured” her albums; it’s astonishing that just four years later, he started playing piano for her. He dedicates the book to Midler, whom he calls at various points his “all-time favorite performer,” his best friend, his older sister.
Marc Shaiman, one-half the songwriting team behind the Broadway musicals “Hairspray,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Some Like It Hot,” and “Smash,” doesn’t even start to tell us about any of his musicals until more than halfway through his new memoir, “ Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner” (Regalo Press, 298 pages)
The first half of that title is misleading: It’s what his mother said when wished a Happy New Year. Shaiman repeatedly calls himself an Eeyore (the depressed stuffed donkey in Winnie the Pooh), but in truth the predominant mood that comes through these pages is gleeful, not gloomy, as Shaiman recounts the promised “showbiz” anecdotes from his half century as a successful composer for stage and screen – and as a piano player, performer, lyricist, arranger, orchestrator, musical director, conductor, and, above all, an accompanist. That particular role reflects the two most persistent aspects of his character, both evident from an early age – musical talent and star-struck fan. He was a gay Jewish nerd growing up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, who put posters of his “idol” Bette Midler on the wall of his room at age 13, and “devoured” her albums; it’s astonishing that just four years later, he started playing piano for her. He dedicates the book to Midler, whom he calls at various points his “all-time favorite performer,” his best friend, his older sister.
January 28, 2026
This is a delightful, honest, humorous, and heartfelt book about Marc Shaiman's life and accomplishments.
Shaiman is a gay, Jewish, musical prodigy who knew what he wanted to do from an early age. He has been living a phenomenal life, working closely with big-name stars (Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, etc.), earning industry recognition (Grammys, Emmys, Tony, etc.), and having two great loves in his life. Yet, just as it's said one can never be too rich or too thin, Marc still occasionally falls short in his own eyes, missing that star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, that Oscar, that name recognition that others have achieved. For example, he's won many awards for the musical Hairspray: I am familiar with Hairspray, but had not heard of the talented Marc Shaiman before listening to this book.
A couple of times, the author/narrator suggests buying the book to see the included photos. However, the audiobook is full of music and songs performed by Shaiman and many of his friends and colleagues. I highly recommend the audiobook version! This is an excellent book for anyone interested in Broadway, Hollywood, music scoring, or memoir. Fans of Randy Rainbow would also enjoy this.
My thanks to the author @MarcShaiman, @RBMedia, @RecordedBooks, and #NetGalley for early access to the terrific audiobook of #NeverMindtheHappy for review purposes. Publication date: 27 January 2026.
Shaiman is a gay, Jewish, musical prodigy who knew what he wanted to do from an early age. He has been living a phenomenal life, working closely with big-name stars (Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, etc.), earning industry recognition (Grammys, Emmys, Tony, etc.), and having two great loves in his life. Yet, just as it's said one can never be too rich or too thin, Marc still occasionally falls short in his own eyes, missing that star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, that Oscar, that name recognition that others have achieved. For example, he's won many awards for the musical Hairspray: I am familiar with Hairspray, but had not heard of the talented Marc Shaiman before listening to this book.
A couple of times, the author/narrator suggests buying the book to see the included photos. However, the audiobook is full of music and songs performed by Shaiman and many of his friends and colleagues. I highly recommend the audiobook version! This is an excellent book for anyone interested in Broadway, Hollywood, music scoring, or memoir. Fans of Randy Rainbow would also enjoy this.
My thanks to the author @MarcShaiman, @RBMedia, @RecordedBooks, and #NetGalley for early access to the terrific audiobook of #NeverMindtheHappy for review purposes. Publication date: 27 January 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A delight for musical theatre fans.
4.5 stars.
A total name drop throughout, it's what you're expecting. There is a lot of kissing of feet and theatre lovey-ness. Which you totally know is coming and revel in really.
A bit of a charmed career path in many ways, though obviously it took hard work, luck and a lifetime, we join Marc on a look back at his life from being the odd one out to following his dream to the big city and taking step by step on the road to respect and success. And love.
The narrative skips around a bit. One minute he's with his current husband, then a former partner/writing collaborator. Then back again. A little disorientating at times and disjointed. But the overall timeline flows sequentially even if we have glimpses of future events throughout.
Loved the showbiz stories, the behind the scenes of the creative process, I learned a few things reading this. And I didn't know the author was behind so many much beloved musicals (Smash!!!).
A fun autobiography, didn't whitewash some of his low points and the misses as well as the hits. Loved hearing about musical I love and how they were put together, how lyrics were changed, actors the same etc.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
4.5 stars.
A total name drop throughout, it's what you're expecting. There is a lot of kissing of feet and theatre lovey-ness. Which you totally know is coming and revel in really.
A bit of a charmed career path in many ways, though obviously it took hard work, luck and a lifetime, we join Marc on a look back at his life from being the odd one out to following his dream to the big city and taking step by step on the road to respect and success. And love.
The narrative skips around a bit. One minute he's with his current husband, then a former partner/writing collaborator. Then back again. A little disorientating at times and disjointed. But the overall timeline flows sequentially even if we have glimpses of future events throughout.
Loved the showbiz stories, the behind the scenes of the creative process, I learned a few things reading this. And I didn't know the author was behind so many much beloved musicals (Smash!!!).
A fun autobiography, didn't whitewash some of his low points and the misses as well as the hits. Loved hearing about musical I love and how they were put together, how lyrics were changed, actors the same etc.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
February 3, 2026
Marc's book is wonderful!
What a great collection of his journey in the entertainment industry since the 70's. His music and lyrics have touched so many lives in a profound way. His score for MARY POPPINS RETURNS is whimsical and deeply moving. His work with Bette Midler has so many landmark moments.
Marc's work with Rob Reiner has produced some of the best movie scores ever written. There is no end to the joy you will share as Marc tells of his many encounters with the entertainment industry greats (and near greats)!
I also bought the audio book. It is so wonderful to hear Marc's unique voice as he tells the many exciting moments that have formed one of the great composer/lyracist careers. And he plays and sings while telling his stories - what could be more fun than that?
NEVER MIND THE HAPPY is a great read (or listen). The magic of this book has delighted me. And I think you'll agree.
January 28, 2026
For fans of music, Broadway, and musical scores - especially those of the 80s and 90s, Marc Shaiman brings us behind the scenes of his life in the music business. He wrote the musical score for Mary Poppins Returns, City Slickers, Sleepless In Seattle, Hairspray, The American President, The Addams Family, and Beaches, just to name a few. It was interesting to hear the behind the scenes that went into the writes and re-writes for movies and musical productions. I listened to the memoir, and a bonus was hearing him, alongside some special guests, sing a few of the numbers he wrote over the years. It was a short listen, and it made me want to watch some of these movies all over again, just to pay special attention to the music.
January 26, 2026
Thank you RBmedia, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this book. This was a great read/listen! The book is an ode to the musical theater where a legendary composer recalls and retells 5 decades of the highs and lows of his Broadway and Hollywood career with a very impressive list of celebrity collaborations. Marc was a wonderful narrator, very clear and dramatic, at times breaking into song (and asking some of his musical theater friends to sing too!) which was one of the highlights of the audio version of the book. This is a treat and a behind-the-scenes look that any musical theater fan would definitely appreciate and enjoy.
February 2, 2026
What a whirlwind of pure showbiz joy! Marc Shaiman’s God given musical talents catapulted him into his teenage dreams and then some, “manifesting Midler” indeed!
Hysterical and heartfelt, Marc Shaiman whips up a memorable memoir as delicious as his music and lyrics, any fan of stage and screen will thrill as they savor all the dish and delights of a life spent making magic happen.
Especially enjoyable are the moments where the showbiz steps aside, and you discover the man behind the music, a generous guy with a great big heart. I just loved this book!
Hysterical and heartfelt, Marc Shaiman whips up a memorable memoir as delicious as his music and lyrics, any fan of stage and screen will thrill as they savor all the dish and delights of a life spent making magic happen.
Especially enjoyable are the moments where the showbiz steps aside, and you discover the man behind the music, a generous guy with a great big heart. I just loved this book!
February 3, 2026
As an avid reader of autobiographies I can say upfront Marc Shaiman’s wonderful book is a must-read. I started on page one and never stopped reading until I was finished. It was captivating. Funny. Touching. Smart. And what a behind-the-scenes look into show business. Shaiman has done it all! As his mentor, the iconic director Rob Reiner, told him, “Talent is talent,” and this musical genius brings all of his life experience to this brilliant tale. Hilarious, heartwarming, honest, and truly inspiring.
November 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I was familiar with Marc's work with Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can (CMIYC is one of my favourite musicals) but I wasn't aware that he had done so much film work as well. It was interesting hearing all the stories from over Marc's career so far especially the one about Stephen Sondheim.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this.
January 30, 2026
this is one of the most moving and exciting audiobooks yet. i mean he SINGS! i just adore marc and just thankful to have hung out with him like this for a couple days. thanks marc😭😭
February 3, 2026
Marc Shaiman has written the best, funniest (and also most poignant) memoir I have ever read. It’s fun, juicy, gossipy, but also a true, rich, show biz tale. I loved it. Read this book!
February 4, 2026
Anybody who would be motivated to look at this memoir from an A-list Broadway and Hollywood creator will very likely enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews