Shy

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The memoirs of Mary Rodgers—writer, composer, Broadway royalty, and “a woman who tried everything.” Mary Rodgers (1931–2014) often expressed her frustration at being defined solely by her lineage, as the daughter of Richard Rodgers and mother of Adam Guettel, both esteemed composers. Yet, Mary herself was a notable composer, with her musical Once Upon a Mattress standing out as a rare Broadway hit authored by a woman. Shy chronicles Mary’s journey from an angry child, constrained by privilege and her parents' immense talent, to a theater star and acclaimed author of beloved children's books like Freaky Friday. In her later years, she became a prominent philanthropist and Chairman of the Juilliard School. Through her stories, enriched with annotations and insights from coauthor Jesse Green, chief theater critic of The New York Times, Shy reveals a narrative of self-liberation from disapproving parents and the sexism of her time, as she sought art and romance on her own terms. This memoir serves as both a firsthand account of the Golden Age of American musical theater and a testament to a woman's quest for a meaningful life. Ultimately, it offers a rare glimpse into the life of a woman who forged her own path in a world that often sought to define her.