When we first told Katharine Cornell we wanted to write a book about her, she said, "All right. But please tell something about my life as me-not just the actress, back of the footlights; let them know how I first came to love the theater, how I grew to want to be an actress or nothing else, what it was like to work - work - work until I achieved my greatest wish."

And so CURTAIN GOING UP! is the story of the woman who is Katharine Cornell. Holding the spotlight as one turns the pages of this fascinating book are the fears and joys of childhood; the torments, the misgivings and the aspirations of girlhood which merge steadily into the warmth and dignity of womanhood. And, always, as a background for the leading players, is the fantastic, alluring pageantry of the stage itself.

Curtain going up - on a lonely little girl with roller skates who sits wide-eyed and breathless watching rehearsals. Curtain going up—on the schoolgirl, dominated by one glowing desire to be an actress. Curtain going up—on Broadway itself, the vernacular of the actor, the secrets of the rehearsals, the heartbreak and uncertainty of job-hunting, the terror and triumph of a first night. Curtain going up—on failure and the courage to surmount it. Curtain going up—on achievement and fame. Curtain going up—on the star and the lofty goal for all that is the best and highest in the actor's art.

Here is Katharine Cornell—living, loving, working,—the "Kit" Cornell without makeup that her friends know. And those who read this book will know her too—and understand her, respect her, love her, because they will see her as she is when the curtain goes up—and when it descends.

From the dust jacket