Broadway: The American Musical

Broadway: The American Musical traces the history and evolution of musical theater in New York City from the 1800s to modern times. Through historical accounts, interviews, and behind-the-scenes narratives, the book chronicles the key figures, productions, and cultural shifts that shaped this uniquely American art form. The text moves chronologically through major eras of Broadway history, including vaudeville, the Golden Age, and the rise of mega-musicals. Technical aspects of production, business dynamics, and creative processes are explored through specific examples and case studies of landmark shows. The changing relationship between Broadway and American society emerges as a central theme, revealing how musical theater both reflected and influenced social movements, cultural values, and artistic innovation across generations. This comprehensive examination demonstrates Broadway's role as a mirror of American identity and its ongoing impact on entertainment, pop culture, and the arts.

Readers appreciate the book's thoroughness as a companion piece to the PBS documentary series, with detailed coverage of Broadway's evolution from the 1890s through modern times. Several reviewers noted the high quality of the photographs and visual materials. Readers liked: - Clear organization by historical periods - Personal stories about performers and composers - Background on how shows were developed - Coverage of both hits and flops Readers disliked: - Text can be dry in some sections - Some wanted more depth on certain shows/eras - Limited coverage of more recent musicals - High price point for a companion book Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (91 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (43 ratings) One reader called it "an excellent coffee table book that you'll actually want to read cover to cover." Another noted it "fills in many gaps the TV series couldn't cover in its time constraints."

American Musical Theatre: A Chronicle by Gerald Bordman This encyclopedic volume presents a year-by-year documentation of Broadway productions from the 1800s through the modern era.

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical by Stacy Wolf The text examines Broadway musicals through the lens of gender roles and female representation across decades of theatrical evolution.

The Secret Life of the American Musical by Jack Viertel A structural analysis breaks down the components of successful Broadway musicals from Oklahoma to Hamilton.

On Broadway: Art and Commerce on the Great White Way by Steven Adler The book reveals the business operations and economic realities behind Broadway productions through case studies of specific shows and theaters.

Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution by Todd S. Purdum This dual biography chronicles the partnership of Rodgers and Hammerstein while documenting their impact on American musical theater.

🎭 Michael Kantor wrote this book as a companion to the PBS documentary series of the same name, which he directed and produced. 🎬 The book traces Broadway's evolution from vaudeville and burlesque in the 1890s through to modern mega-musicals like "The Lion King" and "Wicked." 🎪 The 1927 musical "Show Boat" is highlighted as a pivotal turning point, being the first Broadway show to fully integrate its songs into a serious dramatic narrative. 📚 The book features over 500 photographs and illustrations, many of which were previously unpublished and came from private collections. 🌟 While researching the book, Kantor conducted over 100 interviews with Broadway legends including Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, and Carol Channing.