Drama High

The Incredible True Story of a Brilliant Teacher, a Struggling Town, and the Magic of Theater

By: Michael Sokolove

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

The inspiration for the NBC TV series "Rise," starring Josh Radnor, Auli'i Cravalho, and Rosie Perez — the incredible and true story of an extraordinary drama teacher who has changed the lives of thousands of students and inspired a town. By the author of The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino.

Why would the multimillionaire producer of Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon take his limo from Manhattan to the struggling former steel town of Levittown, Pennsylvania, to see a high school production of Les Misérables?

To see the show performed by the astoundingly successful theater company at Harry S Truman High School, run by its legendary director, Lou Volpe. Broadway turns to Truman High when trying out controversial shows such as Rent and Spring Awakening before they move on to high school theater programs across the nation. Volpe’s students from this blue-collar town go on to become Emmy-winning producers, entertainment executives, newscasters, and community-theater founders.

Michael Sokolove, a Levittown native and former student of Volpe’s, chronicles the drama director’s last school years and follows a group of student actors as they work through riveting dramas both on and off the stage. This is a story of an economically depressed but proud town finding hope in a gifted teacher and the magic of theater.

Critic reviews

"A good reporter can make almost any story interesting. A great reporter makes it blossom. With the kind of diligent, thorough and imaginative reporting not seen enough these days, Sokolove not only brings a teacher, his students and their community to life, he also opens the story to larger matters."—The Washington Post

"Poignant...Captivating...[Sokolove] shines a heartening light on how one of those passionate heros devoted himself...to educating, rather than training, young people."—The New York Times Book Review

“Imagine if all of Glee sustained the level of quality and heart that characterized the story lines between Kurt and his dad, and you'll get a closer approximation of what Drama High achieves…It immediately becomes required reading: for young people who can learn more about the challenge and rewards of theatre, for parents who may well need the same background, for anyone who doubts the value of theatre as an educational and character-building activity not only for those who would become professionals, for those who want to spark reveries of their own experiences in high school drama.”—The Huffington Post

"An extraordinary book…a viscerally real reminder of the pain and excitement of being a teenager, an honest and compassionate discussion of class in America, a wondrous, lightning-in-a-bottle book."—Curtis Sittenfeld, author of Prep

"Part Glee, part Hoop Dreams, Drama High is a bravura performance, the true story of that teacher we all remember or wish we did, the one who pushes us to be better than we thought possible. You'll clap and cry at the end. Sokolove deserves a standing ovation."—Elizabeth Weil, author of No Cheating, No Dying

"What makes a great teacher—the kind who truly transforms lives? The answer lies between these covers, in Michael Sokolove's intimate portrait. This book ripples with emotion, with humor, with heart. Like a great performance, Drama High won't just move you. It will inspire you."—Jonathan Mahler, author of Ladies and Gentleman, the Bronx Is Burning


Praise for Michael Sokolove

“Sokolove is a natural literary stylist with the gifts of a social historian.”—The New York Times

“A terrific read, made to work by Sokolove’s insightful reporting and deft writing . . . a sad, powerful, thoughtful, totally engrossing work.”—Chicago Tribune

“A narrative defined by its compassionate, clear-eyed tone.” —Entertainment Weekly

“A first-class work of sound reporting.”—Roger Angell, The New Yorker

Terrific Story

After watching the TV series Rise, I was pleasantly surprised at how closely they followed the book. I thouroghly enjoyed this story.

A must read book for anyone with H S Theatre

This is my 5th time through this book. It remains my favorite and Continues to be an inspiration.

Driven to read this, after seeing the TV series "Rise"

Well written and narrated piece of non-fiction. So remarkable, it would be a stretch to buy-in if fictional! As someone who had a similar experience in high school drama (if not the accolades of Truman) ... a life-changing experience ... I was immersed in the story. I met my wife in high school drama. We went on to help charter and run a community theatre company for about 40 years after high school. We also ran/coached our daughter's high school group for seven years ... staying after she graduated ... and using the same principles of learning by doing that we learned from our coaches; it's easily one of the best and rewarding experiences of my life.
I'm sorry to have only learned of Lou Volpe and Truman stage shows years after he retired. I would have enjoyed traveling to see them. The book held my interest beyond the production details, in large part due to the depth of Mr.Sokolove's empathetic exploration of the real people involved. Bravo!

Evolved and developed

Character development and great subject, brought back memories for me!!!! Best memories! Taught me so much about the craft and the devotion of my teachers to creating a close knit troupe of actors!

What an inspiring book for anyone involved with educating teens!

This book is an inspiration for any theater teacher as well as any teacher involved in the arts. Michael Sokolove wrote this book based on his experiences with his drama teacher Lou Volpe at Truman high school. I laughed, I cried, I took notes on what Lou Volpe said to his students. Mr. Volpe taught them much more than Theater. He taught them to be committed, disciplined, creative, and fearless as he inspired them to do work that was well beyond anything his students could imagine!