Book Description

During the golden age of American theater on Broadway, the names of stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, and Ethel Merman were writ large on theater marquees. Playwrights such as Eugene O'Neill, Thornton Wilder, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller offered a new play every season.

Photographer Eileen Darby came onto the theater scene in 1939 and eschewed the stiff portraits and fixed tableaux that were in vogue. Her style of photographing not only onstage but also backstage and during rehearsals allowed an intimate look at the creative process of theater.Darby photographed more than six hundred shows during her career, and her portfolio has become the definitive photographic record of theatrical history.STARS ON STAGE is the culmination of Darby’s career in the theater’s golden age and includes dozens of previously unseen pictures of stars such as Lucille Ball, Montgomery Clift, Marlene Dietrich, Bette Davis, and Gregory Peck.As well as the people who created the shows, including Rodgers and Hammerstein, George Abbott, irving Berlin, and Anita Loos.With an overview of the theatrical period by John Lahr and a biographical portrait of Darby and her work by Mary Henderson, STARS ON STAGE is one of the most dynamic books on this most fascinating period of American culture. ... Read more

Product Description

Nominated for a whopping 10 Tony Awards and grossing more than $1 million each week, Wicked is this year's Broadway smash! A prequel to the all-American classic The Wizard of Oz, this new musical is a character study of Elphaba and Glinda, school roommates who grow up to become the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch, respectively. Feature a special section of color photos from the production, a note from composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, and these fantastic tunes: As Long as You're Mine ? Dancing Through Life ? Defying Gravity ? For Good ? I Couldn't Be Happier ? I'm Not That Girl ? No Good Deed ? No One Mourns the Wicked ? One Short Day ? Popular ? What Is This Feeling? ? The Wizard and I ? Wonderful. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great score, arrangements! (melody in the piano part)
After waiting for so long to finally get this book, I've discovered it to be well worth the wait.

Stephen Schwartz is releasing two versions of vocal selections for wicked, this version containing the melody interpolated into the piano part, and another book that is billed as a professional acompaniment without the melody necessarily built into the piano arrangement. This led many to speculate that the "with melody" version would therefore be much easier and less true to the music. Although I haven't seen the other book yet as it has yet to be released as I write this, you should definitely know that this book has not one "easy" arrangement. The arrangers have done a really excellent job of keeping the parts interesting while building in the melody. For instance, "Defying Gravity," the amazing Act-One closing number, is particularly well done, and if you can work through the key-- (it remains, as in the show, in Db) you will be VERY satisfied with the richness and fullness of the sound.

Schwartz has adapted the songs for use as solos or (where applicable) duets, removing longer instrumental breaks, trimming ensemble sections, and providing some new lyrics and endings to make the songs work really well for this new format. This in my opinion is yet another reason to purchase the book, as it gives fans of the show a way to interpret small sections of some of the songs differently.

Sometimes I do wish some cuts could have been avoided (notably I miss the wonderful "We deserve each other" theme that appears on the cast album intersecting "Dancing through Life" and the counterpoint melody "Who's that mage..." in "One Short Day"), but Schwartz is right, it would have impeded the creation of solo pieces to put those in.

The score for Wicked is definitely not to be missed, it really is a must have-- (especially while I wait patiently for the imminent release of the other version of the score!)

Overall, the music is wonderful, the arrangements remain challenging, but are extremely well edited and contain chord diagrams to help you along as well. Well done. ... Read more

Book Description

2004 TonyAward winner for Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical! Playbill.com describes Avenue Q, a decidedly adult puppet/human show, as a meeting of Sesame Street and South Park. Our deluxe songbook features all 20 songs in standard piano/vocal format (melody in the piano part), more than 20 fabulous full-color photos from the production, and a bio of the writing team of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who've scored big with their first Broadway show! Tunes include: The Avenue Q Theme * Fantasies Come True * I Wish I Could Go Back to College * I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today * If You Were Gay * The Internet Is for Porn * It Sucks to Be Me * Mix Tape * The Money Song * Purpose * There Is Life Outside Your Apartment * What Do You Do with a B.A. in English * and more. PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT LYRICS ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is by far the must-get theater book of the year. With dazzling punk graphics that will quickly win book industry awards, the volume contains the entire libretto of the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical about love and loyalty among starving AIDS-stricken artists in New York's East Village. But editors Evelyn McDonnell and Katherine Silberger wisely understand that the story of the show's creation is as compelling as the musical itself--so more than half of this volume is devoted to an oral history of the composer/lyricist/librettist Jonathan Larson, who came to New York hoping to revolutionize musical theater--then died of an aortic aneurysm the night of the show's final preview. It's an event book for an event musical. ... Read more

Reviews (90)

A good book for a great musical!
This book changed the face of rent for me. I had seen the musical, about three times, and it never really clicked for me, what it all meant. Then I got the book. I saw what true struggles, this book came from. I realized what it meant to be an artist, starving for the next day, starving for a piece of the good life. While I read this book, I went through the entire course of human emotions. When rent went into the workshop, I smiled, when Jonathan died the night before he was to make it to "GLORY", I cried. Few books have had this effect on me. The music alone is enough to make you cry. If you want to truly find out what rent means, read the book, and when it gets to the script, pop in the cd. What makes this book great is the stunning reality, of the stuggle for fame, the struggle for life, and the life long struggle for love. Overall the visual effects of this book are stunning. From the front cover to the end. The actors bios at the end are a nice to! uch. I have never seen any other musical book, go this indepth. A truly great buy.

I laughed and cried as I read this incredible book!
This book takes you through the life and dreams of a man whom I believe was a genius, Jonathan Larson. There are tons of amazing quotes from him and those close to him . This book gave me a chance to learn even more about my absolute favorite musical, and it felt like I almost got to know Jonathan Larson. The large pictures of cast members performing each song in the libretto make it easier to explain the plot to friends. I seriously cried when reading about how Jonathan Larson died and everyone's reactions to his death. Overall, this is an awesome piece of literature for any Renthead or musical theater fan. NO DAY BUT TODAY!!!!

A must for all RentHeads
When I first discovered RENT, I heard that all RentHeads have "The Bible", which is this book. I bought it, and it took me into a world of RENT, and also the sad story of Jonathan Larson.

In the contents of this book, there are interviews with Jonathan Larson's friends and family, and also the original Broadway cast. Also, in this incredible book, lies the RENT libretto, along with pictures to go along with each song.

I learned so much from this book, and so would anyone who wanted to learn about RENT. This is a must for all RentHeads!!

Also known as "The Rent Bible"
If you have any interest in the play, the lyrics, the story or Jonathan Larson ... get this book. A MUST HAVE for any Renthead. No Day But Today!

Every Fan's Necessity
This book can only be described as beautiful. It's content, the pictures, everything is a true dedication to the work of Jonathan Larson.

The book begins as a biography to the creator of Rent, Jonathan Larson and his original vision of the play and of life itself. Reading his story was quite inspirational. If only he were alive to see his success and how he has touched many people's lives.

The remainder of the book is the whole libretto for Rent complete with pictures from a stage performance. The presentation of the libretto and pictures is wonderful. Honestly, I was in complete awe the first time I saw it.

There are also in-depth interviews with the cast and people behind the scenes, and some rare photos.

This book is the Rent fan's necessity. And, as I said before, could be seen as a true inspiration thanks to Jonathan Larson. ... Read more

Book Description

In the 1930s, Broadway's lights still burned brightly. Ethan Mordden completes his history of the Broadway musical by taking a look at this forgotten era. Shows like Anything Goes brought the glitter of Cole Porter and Merman's brass to the public. Innovations in dance were pioneered by Balanchine and others. Scenic advancements made Astaire's The Band Wagon move across the stage in novel ways. Gershwin's revolutionary Porgy and Bess entered the canon of American Classics. And The Cradle Will Rock and Johnny Johnson took the American political temperature. With his trademark wit and style, Ethan Mordden shines the spotlight on Broadway's forgotten decade.
... Read more

Book Description

In 1971, college student Ted Chapin found himself front row center as a production assistant at the creation of one of the greatest Broadway musicals, Follies. Needing college credit to graduate on time, he kept a journal of everything he saw and heard and thus was able to document in unprecedented detail how a musical is actually created. Now, more than thirty years later, he has fashioned an extraordinary chronicle. Follies was created by Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Michael Bennett, and James Goldman - giants in the evolution of the Broadway musical and geniuses at the top of their game. Everything Was Possible takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride, from the uncertainties of casting to drama-filled rehearsals, from the care and feeding of one-time movie and television stars to the pressures of a Boston tryout to the exhilaration of opening night on Broadway. Foreword by long-time NY critic Frank Rich. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The next best thing to attending a Broadway musical
Recommended for fans of the musical is one of the best books you'll see on how major Broadway production was created: Ted Chapin's Everything Was Possible: The Birth Of The Musical Follies. Chapin's insider's account tells a bewitching story of the musical's evolution, from its initial casting to rehearsals, growth, and the fostering of stars. All the roots of a major Broadway production are clarified and given lively analysis, with plenty of first-person insights and observations throughout. The next best thing to attending a Broadway musical in production!

Delightful Memoir and Great Resource
Not to be greedy, but I wish Ted Chapin had been there at the creation of every important musical.His memoir of having been there at the birth of "Follies" is rich and delightful.Every person who finds themselves being glib at the expense of a new work in the theatre ought to read this book, because Chapin illuminates the perilous path of collaborative art -- the expense financially, physically, emotionally.In the words of Tommy Tune, "Contrary to popular opinion, the theatre is not for sissies."I loved hearing about the extraordinary amount of work that everyone did -- how many fears they had to face, how much was on the line for them.I'm so glad I read this book, and so grateful it exists.It is a wonderful resource for theatre students and young professionals.And it is simply a terrific read for anyone in love with theatre and what makes artists tick.

The Sun Comes UP....
I loved this book.I must say that I don't read a whole lot but this book was great especially from a musical actor's point of view."Follies" has always been one of my favorite musicals and Ted Chapin captured a rare moment in history that I wish I was old enough to have witnessed.Luckily, this book gives thoughtful descriptions of what was going on in NY and Boston during the rehersal process.Being a fan of the musical I would often go back to listen to the various songs as they were introduced in the book.I wish the book hadn't ended because I was having such a great time reading it. Hat's Off!

Ted and Yvonne?
The book is good, but it is the book of two men, a young and an old, who are not the best of collaborators.I think the young man to whom most of the adventures happen would have been more gossipy and excited about things were he not held in place by the distinguished older gentleman Ted Chapin of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization.For example, if you read between the lines, it seems pretty clear that the young Ted was pretty much crushed out on the glamorous Hollywood hasbeen Yvonne de Carlo, who came to New York City in full glamor mode and took Ted out on a series of dates to the Stork Club et al, and that when she left his life she left a big hole in it.But the older Ted sees ruefully that if it was a romance at all, it was pretty one-sided and potentially embarrassing.So the issue is tabled.I loved hearing all about how Sondheim created the score as the show was in tryouts; when it began only perhaps twenty minutes worth of music was finished, and the rest was created under intense pressure on the road in hotel rooms and coffee shops.I liked hearing about Mathilde Pincus, the music copyist, and the book gave me a new word I had never heard before."She [Pincus] used a flat pen with black ink and wrote on 11" by 14" sheets of opaque paper called deschon, which had the musical staff lines printed in reverse on one side.Writing with ink on the other side allowed for errors to be erased without affecting the staff lines."I guess I had seen 'deschon" but never knew what it was, just like I went to see "Follies" with De Carlo, Smith, Collins, several times, and never really knew how it came to be created.Thank God for Ted Chapin, the young one and the middle-aged man as well.

Fascinating view of a pretty amazing show
Ted Chapin was pretty much there at the birth of the wonderful musical that is Follies. For anyone who loves Follies, this is an excellent book full of little bits of information that you never knew you would one day know. A broad knowledge of the show is very helpful.

The book has two major strengths. Firstly, the deep knowledge alluded to above, and secondly, it brings to life all the wonderful characters connected with that first production, both onstage and offstage.

Where this book lets itself down is that Ted Chapin has misunderstood the book's appeal. This book is only going to appeal to people who know and love Follies or theatre in general, and I guess those people do not need to have theatrical terms and situations explained to them. At times, these quite lengthy basic explanations detract from the flow of the book.

That said, if you are one of those people who know and love Follies, then do not hesitate to read this book, and just bear with the criticism mentioned above. ... Read more

Book Description

Finally, a book as glorious as its subject: this lush showcase for everyone who loves musicals covers the 101 most influential, popular, and enduring Broadway shows--all of which have toured the country and been performed in theatres large and small everywhere. Each listing includes expert commentary that sets the play in historical and cultural context, plus features on the creators and performers, plot synopses, cast and song lists, production details, backstage anecdotes, and more. Four or five beautifully reproduced photographs from each show--the majority never before published--accompany the text and make the shows leap off the page. Appendices and special features include cast albums, poster artists, revivals, guilty pleasures, Off-Broadway musicals, notable flops, and much more. ... Read more

Book Description

A richly illustrated book that re-creates the making of one of BroadwayÂ’s biggest hits, based on EliotÂ’s Old PossumÂ’s Book of Practical Cats. Color photographs and drawings by John Napier. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A very good book!
With crisp,easy-to-see pictures,lyrics and costume sketches,
this book captures CATs purr-fectly!I enjoyed having the lyrics printed out so I can sing along with the video and CD!
If you're a CATS fan,you must have this book!

For CAT lovers everywhere!
My child is a huge fan of the musical CATS and I bought this book for him so he could have pictures of all of his favorite characters. He loves this book and I found it definitely worth the price! The pictures are beautifully done, the colors are vibrant and it's a great companion to the CATS video that we already own. I definitely reccomend this for CATS fans!

This cat thinks This Book has been overrated
I loved the stage musical and didn't understand a word except for "Memories". And I love the video to death. But this book is no way a companion to the video, unless you're just looking for the words to the songs. In that case you've spent way too much (the lyrics can be had on the WEB)! The cast in this book is different than the Video and if you have young kids who love the video like mine do, they are going to ask (and say)"Why daddy does Gus look different, or that's not Gus". The only worth while text is from Andrew Llyod Webber and it happens to be the shortest article of the 4 included. I was disappointed to say the least and in hind sight find that 99% of the reviews are "irrationally" positive and not at all realistic.

Cats!
Well There's Not much to it...
Some info about T. S. Eliot, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Others
Lyrics from the Songs which i like
And Pictures of the Original Broadway Cast
A bit pricey for just that...
Still A Good Book...

Meow!
I am a big fan of Cats(we're talkin' realy big!I know all the lyrics and dances)and I found this book a great addition to my Cats Collection,which includes greasepaint, Old Possum's Book, T-Shirt,hat, sweatshirt,ORIGINAL BROADWAY COSTUME WORN BY CYNTHIA ONRUBIA(VICTORIA), fan-made costume, A WIG WORN BY VEERLE CASTELYN(JEMIMA), 5 CDs, Video, 2 DVDs, ticket stubs, autographs, program, magnets, letters from actors, and a WIG WORN BY CYNTHIA ONRUBIA THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY VICTORIA. This book is wonderful and added to my huge collection. It might not be as valuble as the two wigs or the costume, but it is still a cool book! ... Read more

Book Description

Our matching folio for this multiple-Tony Award-winning musical by Elton John and Tim Rice features 17 outstanding songs, and a stunning 8-page section of full-color photos from the Broadway production. Includes: Another Pyramid * Dance of the Robe * Easy as Life * Enchantment Passing Through * Every Story Is a Love Story * Fortune Favors the Brave * How I Know You * I Know the Truth * My Strongest Suit * Not Me * Written in the Stars * and more. A Piano/Vocal Highlights collection (00313223, $16.95) is also available, featuring 11 songs in standard piano/vocal format with the melody line in the piano part. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Aida songbook
This book is very thorough, includes most all of the songs from the show. Chords are provided for less advanced musicians, but the piano score is quite difficult - not for beginners! Intermediates will be able to play about half the songs easily. True to the soundtrack, and all the parts are provided as well as the lyrics and details about which character is singing. Love this book!

Very good!!!
This book is excellent - it contains piano music for most of the songs in the musical, and the transcriptions are largely faithful to the very pianistic Broadway score. All of the songs are complete, containing the piano versions of the instrumental solos found in the actual score. It also has guitar chords and lyrics for singers, with a separate line for the singers' notes, complete with harmonies. Unlike many Broadway music books, this one is very thorough and does not disappoint!!! Although that playing some songs in their entirety may be a difficult task for beginning pianists, the result of playing the music from this great musical is well worth the effort, and I'm sure that pianists and singers of all levels will enjoy this book.

Exactly As It Should Be
I didn't know what I was ordering at the time because of the lack of description given by this website. This is the music book containing the notes for the music in Aida. It's set up well and it's easy to play. The music is written in both piano and guitar form. ... Read more

Book Description

The most comprehensive and widely used Broadway reference book has been expanded and updated to include more than 300 of the most important and memorable productions of the American musical theatre. Chronologically arranged beginning with The Black Crook in 1866, this edition includes show entries up through the latest hits (Rent, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Victor/Victoria, Passion) and all the latest big revivals (Show Boat, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The King and I). Features a wealth of statistics, inside information, critical reception, cast lists, and pithy commentary about each show. Includes seven completely revised, cross-referenced indexes and over 200 photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book
This was the required text book for a class in musical theater in college. I found it informative but lacked many details that I would have like to have known.

Could use more frequent updates but...
overall a nice book covering the Bway Musicals. I happened to purchase one for a friend who attends the theater (both Broadway and off-Broadway) religiously and she was very happy with the gift.

A true must-have book for all musical theatre fans!
This book has proven and indispensable part of my theatre library, and if you get it, it will become one for you as well. Want to know what date the original production of Show Boat opened on Broadway? This book will tell you. Who the original stars of Mexican Hayride were? That's in here, too. You will be able to find the answer to just about any question you could ever ask of Broadway's hit musicals. A perfect companion piece to Ken Mandelbaum's Not Since Carrie (which chronicles the flop musicals this book mostly excludes), and a wonderful way of tracking the history of the Broadway musical, Broadway Musicals: Show by Show is as comprehensive, helpful, and essential as reference books on Broadway come.

FANTASTIC! The most useful guide for easy theatre reference
Enough can't be said about this book! It is a masterpiece for theatre buffs like myself. I live by that book, since I'm involved in theatre on a daily basis. When considering which musical to use in our high school's season next year I immediately turned to this book for it's easy synopsis of so many hit shows, it's staistics about the shows, and it's genuine knowledge. The best reference book about theatre on the market today! Period.

The Official Broadway Musical Reference Book
This is a good reference book to see what's happening on Broadway, and the inside stories. I can't give it a perfect 5 since, it does skimp on details. The book is usually updated with new editions, but currently is outdated (doesn't include Lion King, J&H, Titanic, etc.) Reading about the earlier Broadway shows (first show "The Black Crook" [1866]) is interesting and contains information you probably won't find anywhere else, although, I wish the revival shows would have more information than a basic "ditto" from the original performance. However, if it is really meant to be a reference book, then it succeeds in that business without really trying. If you're looking for more, take a look at "Let's Put on a Musical" by Peter Filichia (1993) ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

BEST MUSICAL EVER!!!!!
Ok, ok...I haven't actually read the book, but I've seen the musical twice and have to say that it is AWESOME! Not just the singing, which you obviously can't find in this book, but the script as well, which you obviosly CAN find in this book! It's so funny! I have to tell you that this musical has made me into an obsessive freak: I wear the t-shirt, hang the poster on my wall (along with my ticket stubs, pictures, and postcard), tell my friends how great it is, listen to the soundtrack at least once a day so I don't go insane, and quote it almost every other minute! Ok, ok...this script won't make you THAT insane just because it made me. But you will love it! I know it's next on my list of things I want to buy! It's also nice for you people who didn't actually see the show, because it sadly *sniff* has closed.

Appalling
This is a personal opinion, but appalled is the only word I can use to describe this. And it's not really that musically interesting to me. The singing is excellent, but the story and the music.. that's another thing. Again, I know many people like it, but this is just not my cup of tea.

A Masterpiece in Every Way!!
This item is the script for the Broadway play. It contains every bit of dialogue, song lyrics, and blocking used in the Broadway Musical. This script is absolutely phenomenal. I've listened to the recording an innumberable number of times, have seen the show on Broadway, and have read the script several times since then. It is just so funny! I don't know how they came up with this crazy idea and ingenious music and lyrics and dialogue, but if you're looking for an amazingly funny script to read, this is it!
This book also includes some nice forwards by both the writer and composer, giving a long background on how this play came to be.
A "Must Have" for any fan of this show, any musical theatre fan, or any fan of insane comedy!

Everything but the Music
I thought that the book would include some of the sheet music to the songs which i enjoy so much, but it does not. You basically get a copy of the script with lyics to the songs (not much different from the booklet that accompanies the CD). ... Read more

Amazon.com

The international musical sensation Les Misérables is captured in this piano/vocal book that includes 14 of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's songs--about everything you could want, save the full-company number "One Day More." The book has an introduction by Boublil and a full synopsis with color photos. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (10)

love it love it
The music of Les Miserables is incredibly captivating, and being able to play it makes it even better. The music in this book isn't for beginners, and with alot of effort an intermediate pianist could play the music. Every part is covered for the vocals in songs like "A Heart Full of Love" and "In My Life." I was a little dissappointed with "Red and Black" not included, but I still enjoy playing from this book every day.

Les Miserables Easy Play
This book is so amazing! I am a singer and novice piano player who is madly in love with the music from Les Miserables. The normal vocal selection book is difficult to play, especially my favorite song STARS which is laden with a million sharps. The Easy Piano book makes it easy to play the songs while singing along. There are even fingering guidelines at the more difficult parts. Yet, the beauty of the music retained. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to play beautiful music and is a novice or perhaps even intermediate paino player.

One of the best musicals ever written.
This book is a fabulous collection of sheet music, that I would highly recommend to any singers who are looking to expand their knowledge of musical theatre. The show is about three hours, so it is ridiculous of people to expect this book to contain every song in the show. All the major numbers are included, and most people will be more than satisfied with this book.

Les Miserables Piano/Vocal
This book is great book for all those singers and piano players out there who have fallen in love with Les Mis. I first heard the Les Mis songs through playing them with my high school concert band and after that I bought the piano book so I could play the songs on the piano. I just played 5 of the songs in the book in a medley at my piano recital and I believe it was very enjoyable for everyone there since most were familiar with the music. I highly recommend this book because the piano music is not too difficult to play and the voice ranges for singers are good especially if you're an alto like me. Les Mis definitely has some of the greatest and most beautiful songs ever written!

DA BOMB
I play the piano. I'm only on my third year, but this book is really good. It is the kind my piano teacher plays. It has all my favorite songs for playing and singing in a clear manner. All in all, this is an awesome book! ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

A classic updated to include the developments of the 1990s-the first book to explore in detail how to create a Broadway musical

Brimming with advice and techniques, this essential reference for book and song writers clearly explains the fundamentals of the three crafts of a musical-book, music, and lyrics. Using copious examples from classic shows, Frankel has created the quintessential musical writers' how-to. Among the topics:

- Definitions of musical theater
- Differences between musical books and straight plays and between poetry and lyrics
- What a score is and how it develops
- How to write for the voice
- How to audition musicals for producers

With a new introduction and revised text, Frankel's work is ready to guide a new generation of aspiring writers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Power-packed handbook
In only 192 pages, Frankel presents writing for the musical theatre from the perspective of the book writer, lyricist and composer -- and how each contributes to the whole. Enough specifics for each to gain a better appreciation of the others' unique contributions. The book would be an excellent introductory text for a musical theate workshop. Most examples from My Fair Lady are illustrative and excellent; other examples from Company were less helpful (as that show was less successful). Highly recommended for those working on musical to keep near at hand.

176 pages of solid advice
Many of today's top talents in musicals on and off Broadway have studied with Aaron Frankel. Now anyone can learn the ropes from this honored director and instructor in a step-by-step guide that makes for good reading whether you are a writer, composer, or simply an avid theatergoer. I enjoyed the previous edition and found this revised and updated one an even more interesting read.

Writing the Broadway Musical
Aaron Frankel writes with the voice of helpful and comprehensive experience. He is a writer - and teacher - of the highest order, and there are important points made in this book that are of great value to actors, directors and producers, as well as the playwrights for whom the book is primarily intended. Mr. Frankel is one of the few authors who expresses himself with both a clear, accessible style and a with a talent for engaging the reader every step of the way.

Hallelujah It's Back In Print!
Finally this fabulous book is back in print. If you are writing a musical, thinking about writing a musical or simply interested in how musicals are put together, get your hands on this book. It has got to be the clearest, most straight talkin', no bull approach to musical theatre writing I've read. It'll get you thinking and keep you writing!

Great! It gives you the fundementals to writing a musical.
I have taken Aaron Frankel's class at the New School in NYC and used his book along with it. It has been a very interesting process for me to learn how to write a musical (I thought I was a novelist) and his book has been extremely helpful. I now know a lot more about putting the fundementals in place for a successful musical...and I get the feeling that if I ever go back to writing novels it will make me a better novelist as well. His book is relatively brief, but it is thick with advice and techniques. It covers everything from the making of a good story, to lyric writing. I strongly reccomend it. I understand that he is in the process of working with his publisher on a reprint. I have found copies of his book in retail book stores so at this moment it is not completely sold out. ... Read more

Book Description

Countering the misperceptions about Broadway performers leading glamorous lives, the words of more than 150 Broadway stars provide unprecedented insight into their struggle for stardom. With an introduction by Jason Alexander and candid interviews with today's most celebrated Broadway stars, this book offers stories to entertain and astonish theater lovers, as well as serve as a sobering reality check for those considering careers on the stage. This book shares firsthand accounts of professional actors' difficult yet fulfilling journeys to Broadway: moving to New York, finding survival jobs, auditioning, landing roles, avoiding pitfalls, forging a family life, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fantastic!
It's a simple easy read that I would recomend for anyone who is looking to make it in the theater business. I found that I am refering to this daily (in fact the only thing that I am using more is Ariella Vaccarino's wonderful "Voice Lessons to go" series (another must have for the most novice to the most professional singer). Anyway, the book is great. Buy it.

So entertaining...!
This book is so entertaining. I love hearing actors' stories in their own words, from their point of view. There are some great stories (My favorite section so far is the "Mishaps during a performance" section.) and some wonderful insight. Very well done.
I am enjoying reading it so much that I have to force myself to slow down. I don't want to finish it too soon.

Outstanding!
"Making it on Broadway" is absolutely amazing. This book depicts the business as it is. Accurate and Ispiring! I reccomend this book to actors, people in the business, and theatre lovers! READ THIS!!!

a eye-opening must-read!!
I bought this book recently and read it from cover to cover in 2 sittings.

I highly recommend it. If I knew anyone who wanted to be a theatre performer, I would definitely BUY him/her this book.

As a theatre fan, the book was an eye-opener and left me somewhat sad. It was especially interesting reading the contributions of Jason Alexander and Antonio Banderas.

Most of the shows mentioned were musicals. Very little mention of straight plays. Thus the 4 stars instead of 5. But that's just a minor quibble.

BEST Theater related book!
This is such a great read! Theater fans like me love hearing actual broadway actors speak about what the business is really like. Most other Broadway books talk about either the history of theater or how vaguely to construct a show, but this book really gets to the core of what being on Broadway is about. Be prepared for shocking, hilarious, and sometimes even painful stories shared by so many revered performers. It's an extremely truthful and important read for everyone even vaguely interested in theater! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you enjoyed the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical but wanted a bit more detail and substance, try curling up with the companion book to the series.Expanded from Michael Kantor's script by Laurence Maslon, it follows the same six-part structure but its 470 pages give it more space to stretch out with the history of key musicals and the historical context behind them, or add significant trends such as revivals.What makes the book easy to pick up from the coffee table are the many subheads, the photographs (e.g., Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady) and poster art, and the sidebars and supplemental features.Occupying a page or two, the sidebars delve into such topics as original cast albums or shows that were glossed over or ignored in the series, such as Gypsy and 1776.A particularly effective use of the text is reprinting the lyrics of certain songs, examining the structure of "Soliloquy," providing historical annotations for "You're the Top," and illustrating "Broadway Baby" with pictures of Ethel Schulte on stage in Follies and 50 years earlier.Archive sections offer vintage essays from key figures (Sondheim on Kern, Hart on Rodgers), and Who's Who blurbs spotlight performers or creators (Fanny Brice, Barbara Cook, Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald).While Broadway: The American Musical can't compete with more encyclopedic work on the subject, it's an enjoyable and worthwhile reference overall, and does provide a year-by-year list of significant shows, a selected bibliography, and maps of the theater district ca. 1928 and 2001. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Book Description

"Richly illustrated, it is ideal for fans of the show, as well as admirers of musical theatre." - Variety * "Anybody who has seen the show (who hasn't?) should read the book" - Entertainment Today * "The perfect present for any Fantasticks fans." -Cleveland Plain Dealer * "A valuable resource. Recommended for all collections." - Choice ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Why, it's fantastic!
Who would have guessed that such a simple, straightfoward musical would be the longest running show in New York history? Read this copy of the libretto, and you'll know why. The show is very simple and very honest. It has drama and lighthearted comedy in just the right amounts to create what is, in many ways, the perfect musical. This volume also contains lots of extra information about the show, including the lyrics to a new song written for the show in its later years, and a number of photos. The music is missing, of course, but even without the OCR to the show, you get a great sense here of what makes The Fantasticks so, well, fantastic.

No Woder It's the Longest Running Show in American History!
It never fails to amaze me that Jones & Schmidt were capable of such powerful poetry while still studying for their masters degrees. This thesis show is a powerhouse of simplicity and a panorama of minimalism. Sound oxymoronic? It is. The show is so disceptively simple, but the stories it tells are universal, and they are guaranteed to ring true for even the most tarnished audience member. One read, and it won't be hard to "try to remember" this show for a long time!

An amazing look at the long life of The Fantasticks.
It has been two years since I was first introduced to The Fantasticks. Ever since I saw the show I have been captivated by its remarkable story, lyrics, and music. It was only recently that I read this 30th anniversary edition and truly found out how amazing this show is.

Tom Jones' personal account of The Fantasticks shows the reader what exactly goes in to a show before it actually debuts. The first section "Try to Remember" is well set as the first chapter of the book. The reader will benefit more from reading this chapter before the show.

The third section (the second was the libretto) is a look at the actors really shows you the life of the longest running Off-Broadway show.

I know my words cannot do justice to this amazing book. I would recommend this book to any die-hard Fantasticks fan, or to anyone interested in getting to know the best musical ever written. ... Read more

Book Description

From 1925 to 1951--three chaotic decades of depression, war, and social upheaval--Jewish writers brought to the musical stage a powerfully appealing vision of America fashioned through song and dance. It was an optimistic, meritocratic, selectively inclusive America in which Jews could at once lose and find themselves--assimilation enacted onstage and off, as Andrea Most shows. This book examines two interwoven narratives crucial to an understanding of twentieth-century American culture: the stories of Jewish acculturation and of the development of the American musical.

Here we delve into the work of the most influential artists of the genre during the years surrounding World War II--Irving Berlin, Eddie Cantor, Dorothy and Herbert Fields, George and Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Lorenz Hart, and Richard Rodgers--and encounter new interpretations of classics such as The Jazz Singer, Whoopee, Girl Crazy, Babes in Arms, Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific, and The King and I. Most's analysis reveals how these brilliant composers, librettists, and performers transformed the experience of New York Jews into the grand, even sacred acts of being American. Read in the context of memoirs, correspondence, production designs, photographs, and newspaper clippings, the Broadway musical clearly emerges as a form by which Jewish artists negotiated their entrance into secular American society. In this book we see how the communities these musicals invented and the anthems they popularized constructed a vision of America that fostered self-understanding as the nation became a global power.

Reviews (1)

The sum of its parts
In "Making Americans", Andrea Most has crafted a fascinating, if flawed, treatise based on the premise that the Jewish influence on Broadway Musicals was also a major force in the creation of the American way of life in the 20th century. Since it is, first and formeost, an academic work, some of the flaws are inherent in the genre (e.g. a highly repetitive introduction; little of the "razzle-dazzle" that fans of the musical have come to expect from books on the subject; a selective use of sources to prove her point-and a bit of stretching at times to make the selection do its duty, etc.). While I find it difficult to subscribe to the totality of her argument, and have serious questions about whether a given interpretation of facts is, indeed, the most correct (or even intended)one the authors she discusses had in mind, I cannot fault her over-all premise as a POSSIBLE one. What sets the work apart, however, is NOT the whole, but the sum of its parts. Within the over-view, Most presents detailed examinations of a handful of theater works that often offer new insights to these works AS WORKS, whether or not one feels they ratify the over-riding concept. It is for these insights that I recommend the work to any lover of the Musical theater, regardless of race, creed, or religion. ... Read more

Book Description

We've made this book even better with the addition of songs from some of Broadway's latest blockbusters such as Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Les Miserables, and more - over 70 songs in all! Highlights include: All I Ask of You * As Long As He Needs Me * Bess, You Is My Woman * Bewitched * Camelot * Climb Ev'ry Mountain * Comedy Tonight * Don't Cry for Me Argentina * Everything's Coming Up Roses * Getting to Know You * I Could Have Danced All Night * I Dreamed a Dream * If I Were a Rich Man * The Last Night of the World * Love Changes Everything * Oklahoma * Ol' Man River * People * Try to Remember * and many, many more! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Meh
Deffinetly not the best broadway songs ever..............i got this book because I'm a musical fanatic and play both keyboard and guitar, but the music in here was really diffecult and the songs werent that great. When you have over 50 musical soundtracks in you collection and have seen even more done in production, but still dont know some of the songs or musicals in the book you can tell its out dated. I liked the Big Book of Broadway a lot better

Fair collection
This was a good collection of songs, but I would recommend the Big Book of Broadway over this book. The selections in that book are better. The songs are challenging to play, as well.

What's inside? Here's the Table of Contents
The best way to show why these are the best songs seemed to be to simply tell you what's in the table of contents:

All I Ask Of You

All The Things You Are

Another Op'nin', Another Show

As Long As He Needs Me

Bess, You Is My Woman

Bewitched

Cabaret

Camelot

Climb Ev'ry Mountain

Comedy Tonight

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

Don't Rain On My Parade

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Falling In Love With Love

From This Moment On

Getting To Know You

Hello, Young Lovers

How Are Things In Glocca Morra

I Believe In You

I Could Have Danced All Night

I Dreamed A Dream

I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'

I Remember It Well

I'll Be Seeing You

I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face

If Ever I Would Leave You

If I Loved You

If I Ruled The World

If I Were A Rich Man

It Might As Well Be Spring

It's All Right With Me

Just In Time

Look To The Rainbow

Love Changes Everything

Make Believe

Memory

My Cup Runneth Over

My Favorite Things

My Funny Valentine

Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'

Oklahoma

Ol' Man River

On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)

On The Street Where You Live

People

People Will Say We're In Love

Send In The Clowns

September Song

Seventy Six Trombones

Small World

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Some Enchanted Evening

Summertime

Sunrise, Sunset

The Lady Is A Tramp

The Last Night Of The World

The Sound Of Music

This Nearly Was Mine

Till There Was You

Try To Remember

Unexpected Song

What Kind Of Fool Am I?

Where Or When

Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

Wouldn't It Be Loverly

You'll Never Walk Alone

Younger Than Springtime

great book
ive had this book for several years and have enjoyed playing and singing many of its wide range of songs. It includes songs such as Memory from "Cats", I dreamed a dream from "Les Miserables" and much more. unfortunately, my one complaint is that two of my favorite musicals, Miss. Saigon and West Side Story, have been overlooked. other than that...it was very enjoyable!

A Great Book for Auditions
I am very happy with this book. The wide selection of old favorites makes it easy to find something for almost anyone in it. I was happy to find songs which I had not found anywhere else such as "Love Changes Everything" from Aspects of Love and "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel. The music is easy to read and works for many skill levels. ... Read more