Behind the Mask No More

by: Byron Nease

Published by: Booksurge

Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

Behind the Mask No More is the story of Broadway singer and performer Byron Nease. Told with sincerity, clarity and vulnerability, this memoir will particularly interest musicians, and in particular, those suffering from AIDS or who are HIV positive.

This inspirational story begins when Byron was a small boy living in California. Son of an unstable mother and a Nazarene preacher, Byron grew up in a troublesome home. From early on, he showed an inclination for the arts, something no doubt he inherited from his genial, troubled mother, who used to abuse him both emotionally and physically.

At an early age, Byron also realized he wasn’t exactly like the other boys and that he was attracted to other boys. This is always hard for a boy to come to terms to, but especially more if your father happens to be a preacher, like Byron’s was. The old man could never accept it, even though he continued loving and supporting his son throughout his life. Later in the memoir Byron relates how he started in Broadway, his relationships, his work with Angela Lansbury, his role as The Phantom of the Opera, and his discovery that he was HIV positive in a time when being diagnosed with AIDS was a death sentence.

Byron’s memoir is tumultuous and inspiring and comes through as an honest recount of his life and experiences. The title has a double meaning: he played the Phantom for many years, but as a gay man, he also hid behind ”˜the mask’ for a long time.

The prose flows smoothly and the author’s susceptibility shines through the pages. The allure of the stage, the adversity Byron had to face, combined with a bit of humor and drama, make Behind the Mask No More an enjoyable, interesting read.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author’s website: http://www.ByronNease.com