North Beach and Telegraph Hill are among San Francisco's most charming and historic districts. In the early years, Mexican and Spanish settlements dotted the beach and the hill, but the area was heavily developed during California's Gold Rush as gold seekers flooded the city. Later, European immigrants added many layers of unique character. North Beach was home to A. P. Giannini, founder of the Bank of Italy (later the Bank of America), and in the 1950s, the Beat Generation evolved from the creative character of this artistic neighborhood. Charming cottages and architectural gems, such as famed landmark Coit Tower, decorate the slopes down to the bay, delighting residents and tourists alike. Many cafAA(c)s and restaurants offer delicious foods, while the breathtaking views provide food for the soul.

A self-sufficient mile-square Italian village existed for a century in the middle of the city of San Francisco. The village began downtown near Montgomery Street, then climbed the steep slopes of Telegraph Hill and spread down Columbus Ave toward the sands of North Beach. Small houses and crowded flats lined streets where only husky-voiced Italian could be heard, punctuated by bursts of operatic arias. The aroma of sausages, cheese, and garlic escaped from Italian groceries and 'trattorias' -- 'Buon gusto!' was the rallying cry. Washington Square was the heart of the community: men met there to smoke cigars and play bocce ball, while children played and women strolled. Fisherman's Wharf was 'Italy Harbor,' the most colorful corner of the city. Graceful 'feluccas' were moored side by side; 'pescatori' in boots, blue trousers, bright sashes, and flannel shirts mended nets and moved boxes of fish and Dungeness crabs. San Francisco's North Beach was not a tightly knit community, but a mosaic of groups. People from the same province, even village, clustered together and their loyalty, 'campanilismo,' was strong. They lived with, worked with, and married their own. The Italians did not intend to stay, but to save money and return to the Old Country. But in breezy San Francisco, with its stress on freedom and individuality, customs were blown away faster than in the East, and the Americanization process began, led by 'prominenti' Andrea Sbarboro, Domenico Ghiradelli, A.P. Giannini and others.

From the bestselling author of Tides of Honour and Promises to Keep comes a poignant novel about a young couple caught on opposite sides of the Second World War. In the fall of 1939, Grace Baker’s three brothers, sharp and proud in their uniforms, board Canadian ships headed for a faraway war. Grace stays behind, tending to the homefront and the general store that helps keep her small Nova Scotian community running. The war, everyone says, will be over before it starts. But three years later, the fighting rages on and rumours swirl about “wolf packs” of German U-Boats lurking in the deep waters along the shores of East Jeddore, a stone’s throw from Grace’s window. As the harsh realities of war come closer to home, Grace buries herself in her work at the store. Then, one day, a handsome stranger ventures into the store. He claims to be a trapper come from away, and as Grace gets to know him, she becomes enamoured by his gentle smile and thoughtful ways. But after several weeks, she discovers that Rudi, her mysterious visitor, is not the lonely outsider he appears to be. He is someone else entirely—someone not to be trusted. When a shocking truth about her family forces Grace to question everything she has so strongly believed, she realizes that she and Rudi have more in common than she had thought. And if Grace is to have a chance at love, she must not only choose a side, but take a stand. Come from Away is a mesmerizing story of love, shifting allegiances, and second chances, set against the tumultuous years of the Second World War.

Typescript, dated Rehearsal Draft April 7, 2018. Without music. Unmarked typescript of a musical that opened April 8, 2018, at the August Wilson Theatre, New York, N.Y., directed by Casy Nicholaw.

Each title in The Applause Libretto Library Series presents a Broadway musical with fresh packaging in a 6 x 9 trade paperback format. Each Complete Book and Lyrics is approved by the writers and attractively designed with color photo inserts from the Broadway production. All titles include introduction and foreword by renowned Broadway musical experts. Long before Dorothy dropped in, two other girls meet in the Land of Oz. One, born with emerald green skin, is smart, fiery, and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious, and very popular. The story of how these two unlikely friends end up as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch makes for the most spellbinding new musical in years.

In its 114th year, Billboard remains the world's premier weekly music publication and a diverse digital, events, brand, content and data licensing platform. Billboard publishes the most trusted charts and offers unrivaled reporting about the latest music, video, gaming, media, digital and mobile entertainment issues and trends.