Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway

Razzle Dazzle chronicles Broadway's transformation from the 1970s through the 1990s, when New York City faced near-bankruptcy and Times Square was a hub of crime and vice. The book focuses on key players including theater owners, producers, creators, and city officials who fought to preserve and revitalize Broadway during this turbulent period. Behind-the-scenes accounts reveal the high-stakes business dealings, artistic gambles, and political maneuvering that shaped modern Broadway. The narrative follows the Shubert Organization's leadership through financial crises and artistic triumphs, while tracking the development of landmark musicals that changed theater history. The rise of mega-musicals and the Disney-fication of Times Square emerge as turning points in Broadway's evolution. The book documents the complex intersection of art, commerce, and urban development that transformed the theater district into a tourist destination. This chronicle of Broadway's survival and rebirth illustrates broader themes about American culture, urban renewal, and the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success. The story demonstrates how cultural institutions can drive economic revival and reshape a city's identity.

Readers found this detailed chronicle of 1970s-80s Broadway engaging for its behind-the-scenes drama and insider perspectives on major players like the Shubert Organization. Many noted the book reads like a thriller, with power struggles and real estate deals driving the narrative. Readers appreciated: - Research depth and previously unpublished details - Focus on business/financial aspects rather than just shows - Entertaining personal anecdotes about theater figures Common criticisms: - Jumps between time periods can be confusing - Too much focus on real estate transactions - Some key figures and shows receive minimal coverage "Feels like reading Broadway gossip columns from the era" - Goodreads reviewer "More about property deals than actual theater" - Amazon reviewer Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings)

On Broadway by Thomas Hischak Chronicles the complete history of Broadway theater from the 1800s to modern times through archival records, interviews, and first-hand accounts.

Act One by Moss Hart A first-person chronicle of Broadway's golden age through the experiences of playwright and director Moss Hart's rise from poverty to theatrical success.

The Season: A Candid Look at Broadway by William Goldman Documents every production, success, and failure during Broadway's 1967-68 season through unprecedented behind-the-scenes access.

Broadway: The American Musical by Michael Kantor Traces Broadway's evolution from vaudeville and burlesque to musical theater through production histories, cultural context, and rare photographs.

The Secret Life of the American Musical by Jack Viertel Dissects the structure and elements of Broadway musicals through analysis of landmark shows and their creators from the 1920s to present day.

🎭 Author Michael Riedel has been Broadway's most prominent and influential theater columnist for over 20 years, writing for the New York Post. 🎭 The book reveals how the Shubert Organization, near bankruptcy in the 1970s, helped save Broadway and transform Times Square from a crime-ridden area to a tourist destination. 🎭 The term "Razzle Dazzle" comes from the musical Chicago, which premiered during the turbulent period covered in the book and became one of Broadway's most successful revivals. 🎭 Bernard Jacobs and Gerald Schoenfeld, the leaders of the Shubert Organization featured prominently in the book, helped launch legendary shows like A Chorus Line, which ran for 6,137 performances. 🎭 The book documents how Broadway's annual attendance grew from 6.3 million in 1975 to nearly 15 million by 2014, despite New York City's initial resistance to cleaning up Times Square.