Take It from the Top

What does choreographing Madonna, Bryan Cranston, Selena Gomez, and Bea Arthur have in common with hanging upside down by his penny loafers, tangling his sister's cornrows in a crab net, and telling the new Spock that the old Spock's head is buried in his mother's backyard? Fred Tallaksen.

In this hilarious, heartfelt, and completely unfiltered memoir, the award-winning choreographer takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood's biggest shows, movies, music videos, and live events, revealing the chaos and comedy of showbiz one story at a time, with each production triggering an equally outrageous memory from his own life.

From teaching Mike Myers to roller skate and making meatballs with his mother armed with a rosary and wooden spoon, to choreographing Beau Bridges' overdose and watching his sister slug a bully, Fred has spent a career creating television magic. And somehow, every Hollywood adventure leads him straight back to the sitcom-worthy madness and heart of his over-the-top Italian family in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Packed with celebrity encounters, laught-out-loud misadventures, and unforgettable family stories, Take It from the Top proves that real life is often stranger, funnier, and far more unbelievable than anything in a script.

Warm, witty, and impossible to put down, this is a backstage pass to a life fueled by big dreams, bigger personalities, and the unwavering belief that every catastrophe can become a great story. Because when your life feels like a sitcom, the only thing left to do is hit your mark, face the audience, and take it from the top.