Drama Book Shop plays on words

Flagged only by an old-fashioned wood sign hanging over West 40th St., The Drama Book Shop is one of Broadway’s unsung heroes. With the largest selection of plays in New York, the store has unquestionably been the city’s resident specialist in theatrical texts since its opening in 1917.

Current co-owner and Vice President Allen Lee Hubby said the goal of the shop is “to serve as a resource for all materials pertaining to theater, film, video, and to some degree, the rest of the performing arts.” A myriad of plays, libretti, anthologies, and accompaniment CDs pack the shelves. From how-to books in directing and producing to workbooks in designing period bodices, a fountain of knowledge overflows in this cozy shop.

Theater and acting students, undoubtedly attracted to this enormous stockpile of information, constitute the largest portion of customers according to Hubby. Many professionals—in both Broadway and film—also frequent the store.

“Yeah, Marisa [Tomei] came in and put on the big glasses and really dug in,” Hubby said.

Famous or not, customers flock to Drama Book Shop not only because of the vast collection the store offers, but also the high caliber of customer service. “I know people love us. We have the most knowledgeable staff … who actually know what they’re talking about,” Hubby said.

Prospective employees actually have to take a theater-intellect test. On exam day, they may be asked to find a specific book, but the tougher questions involve “twisted titles.”

“Someone once came in asking for, well the actual title is ‘She Stoops to Conquer,’ but the customer asked for “She Stops the Concord,” said senior clerk Stuart Brynien. “It might be the stuff of bookstore legend, but things like this happen and you have to be able to find what they want.”

Brynien has spent the last 11 years at Drama Book Shop, accumulating theater knowledge to better guide his customers. “I take pride in the fact that we’re up on the new stuff, the new work, because that just further improves our customer service,” Brynien said.

Acting students and seasoned professionals—like Frank Langella and Kevin Kline—call on Brynien and his co-workers for counsel in audition material. “They usually ask for something nonspecific,” Brynien said. “‘I’m auditioning for this kind of role, do you know of another show with this same role?’”
As Hubby said, “We really jump through hoops here.”