The Oxford Companion to the American Musical

The Oxford Companion to the American Musical offers a comprehensive reference guide to musical theater, film, and television in the United States. This encyclopedic volume contains over 2000 entries covering productions, performers, composers, lyricists, directors, and other key figures from the 1800s through modern times. Each alphabetical entry provides historical context, production details, and cultural significance of the subject matter. The book includes both iconic Broadway shows and lesser-known regional productions, along with entries about influential performing arts institutions and theatrical innovations. The text serves as both a scholarly resource and an accessible introduction to American musical entertainment across multiple mediums. Cross-references throughout help readers discover connections between related entries. The Oxford Companion illustrates how the American musical has reflected and shaped U.S. cultural identity through periods of social and artistic change. Its scope demonstrates the genre's evolution from early theatrical forms to contemporary multimedia productions.

Readers value this reference book for its comprehensive coverage of musicals, with entries for shows, performers, composers, and creative teams. Multiple reviewers note its usefulness as a quick lookup resource for both famous and obscure productions. Likes: - Clear alphabetical organization - Includes both Broadway and film musicals - Brief but informative entries - Strong cross-referencing between related topics Dislikes: - Some entries contain factual errors - Coverage feels incomplete for post-2000 musicals - Print size described as "too small" by several readers - Limited production details and technical information Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (17 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (15 reviews) One librarian reviewer called it "a solid starting point for musical theater research but not comprehensive enough for detailed study." Multiple readers mentioned using it alongside other reference works for more complete information. Users frequently cite it as helpful for theater students and musical enthusiasts but note it shouldn't be the only source consulted.

The Cambridge Companion to the Musical by William A. Everett and Paul R. Laird This reference work contains essays from scholars on musical theatre history, genres, creators, and cultural impact from European operetta through contemporary Broadway.

Broadway: The American Musical by Michael Kantor This companion book to the PBS documentary series presents a chronological examination of Broadway musicals through rare photographs, production stills, and primary source materials.

The Broadway Musical: A Critical and Musical Survey by Joseph P. Swain This analysis focuses on the musical structures and compositional techniques used in major Broadway shows from 1920 through modern times.

Broadway Musicals: Show by Show by Stanley Green and Cary Ginell This chronological catalog provides production information, cast lists, song titles, and plot summaries for Broadway musicals from the 1800s to present day.

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical by Stacy Wolf This study examines the role of female characters and performers in musical theatre while tracking the evolution of women's representation on Broadway.

🎭 The book covers over 2,000 entries spanning from the mid-1800s through the first decade of the 21st century, documenting musicals, performers, composers, directors, and choreographers. 🎬 Author Thomas S. Hischak is a professor emeritus of theatre at the State University of New York at Cortland, where he taught for over 30 years and authored more than 20 books about theatre, film, and popular music. 🎵 The companion includes not just Broadway shows but also off-Broadway productions, film musicals, television musicals, and even animated musicals, providing a comprehensive look at the entire American musical landscape. 🌟 Each entry includes cross-references to related topics, making it easier for readers to explore connections between different aspects of musical theatre history. 📚 Published in 2008 by Oxford University Press, the book serves as both an academic reference and an accessible guide for musical theatre enthusiasts, featuring detailed production histories and critical commentary alongside basic facts and biographical information.