Michael Lenehan is an award-winning Chicago-based writer and editor who for many years was the chief editorial executive at the Chicago Reader. He has written for the Atlantic Monthly, where he was a contributing editor in the 1980s and 90s, and for Chicago magazine and the New York Times, among others. He is the author of Ramblers: Loyola Chicago 1963-The Team that Changed the Color of College Basketball. He grew up in Fair Lawn, NJ, and graduated from Notre Dame. He lives in Chicago with his wife Mary Williams.
Praise for Michael Lenehan’s Much Ado: “He shows us with rare clarity how a professional company prepares a production. . . . A series of bright, clear photographs of what the author saw when he pulled aside the curtain in a Wisconsin Oz. ” —Kirkus Reviews “An in-depth and endearing profile of the American Players Theatre.” —Publishers Weekly “Avid theatergoers and those who want to know more about APT will find this behind-the-scenes look, with its affectionate portrayal of the frenzy and magic of theater, engaging and insightful.” —Booklist “Very smart. . . . A fascinating study of stagecraft.” —Chicago Reader “A wonderfully inspiring book for performing arts lovers in general and theatre people in particular. It's good for us all to be reminded that joyously creative greatness is not the sole property of two coasts and a few mega-cities somewhere in between.” —Theater Jones “Written in clear, accessible prose and takes nothing for granted. One need not be an APT fan, Bard lover or theater geek to enjoy it (although all will). . . . It’s nice to see a good book make so much ado about the many magicians bringing those moments to life.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “When Lenehan takes the time to probe deeper, the book is at its best. . . . an impressive assortment of information and backstage tidbits that give his readers a sense that, yes, there is much ado when it comes to mounting a stage production of this size and caliber.” —TruthDig “With a warm, knowing tone, he relates the ensemble’s collaborative decision-making process as the members come together to perform one of the Bard’s greatest comedies. . . . Lenehan’s passion infuses this short, smart, and sweet book.” —National Book Review