For Broadway audiences of the 1980s, the decade was perhaps most notable for the so-called “British invasion.” While concept musicals such as Nine and Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George continued to be produced, several London hits came to New York. In addition to shows like Chess, Me and My Girl, and Les Miserables, the decade’s most successful composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was also well represented by Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Song & Dance, and Starlight Express. There were also many revivals (such as Show Boat and Gypsy), surprise hits (The Pirates of Penzance), huge hits (42nd Street), and notorious flops (Into the Light, Carrie, and Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge).
In The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1980s. In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Sid Caesar, Barry Manilow, Jackie Mason, and Shirley MacLaine.
Each entry includes the following information
Opening and closing dates
Plot summaries
Cast members
Number of performances
Names of all important personnel including writers, composers, directors, choreographers, producers, and musical directors
Musical numbers and the names of performers who introduced the songs
Production data, including information about tryouts
Source material
Critical commentary
Tony awards and nominations
Details about London and other foreign productions
Besides separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes, including a discography, filmography, and published scripts, as well as lists of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, black-themed shows, and Jewish-themed productions.
A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1980s Broadway Musicals provides readers with a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.
The Original Broadway Cast Album of Gutenberg! The Musical! featuring GRAMMY® Award winners and Tony Award® nominees Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells has been released digitally on Friday, May 3. Listen to the album here!
Dan Landon was a Broadway theatre manager for nearly 40 years, working on more than 9000 performances of 50 shows. He has written his memoir, From the Back of the House, which will be published by Ibis Books on June 13, 2024.
Natalie Tenenbaum is a composer, pianist, and music producer recognized equally on the stages of Carnegie Hall, SXSW and Broadway for breaking the boundaries between classical composition, popular storytelling, and improvisational jazz to create acoustic and electro-acoustic concert music for a wide scope of artists.
Are We Dreaming The Same Dream? - a new album from Akropolis Reed Quintet, composer and pianist Pascal Le Boeuf, and drummer Christian Euman - is out now on Bright Shiny Things.
Roy Schreiber has announced the release of his latest book, A Coat of Many Colors: Putting Jewish Characters on Stage. Published by Bookbaby on February 1, 2024, the book is a collection of five diverse plays challenging traditional stereotypes of Jewish characters.
V. de la Cruz has announced the release of her new supernatural thriller, The Enigma Within. This gripping tale explores the depths of the paranormal, weaving a story that will leave readers spellbound.
The cast recording has finished in NYC at famed recording studio EastsideSound Recording Studio for the musical film From Corinne’s Heart. Check out photos here!
Anna Valentine, Managing Director of The Orion Publishing Group, has acquired World rights to Joe Lycett's Art Hole by Joe Lycett, from Hannah Chambers at Chambers Management, in a competitive eight way auction.
Theatre Communications Group and Arena Stage will present a book release celebration for The Long Revolution: Sixty Years on the Frontlines of a New American Theatre by Zelda Fichandler. Learn more about the book and see how to attend the conversation.
Broadway Melody, the sweeping novel of love, ambition and defeat by veteran Broadway professional Jack Viertel is now available for purchase. Learn more about the book!
Michael Ramos has announced the release of his new book, Murders on Death Row. This sequel to Silence in the Silos was released by The Native Publishers in March 2024.
YELLOW SOUND LABEL has released White Girl in Danger: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording – the new musical from Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Michael R. Jackson. Listen here!
Aakash Chotrani has announced the release of his new book Humans and AI Coexistence: Technology Changing the World Order. Independently published the book is set to launch on March 28, 2024.
Discover the Orchestre National de France's new 3-CD box set, led by Cristian Măcelaru, featuring George Enescu’s full symphonies and Romanian Rhapsodies 1 & 2.
The original cast recording of THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA, the latest musical from acclaimed composer MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA is now available for streaming.
Jay Moreland, a promising voice in the world of fantasy literature, has announced the release of his latest novel, The Language of Spears: A Soulwasher Novel. This new fantasy takes readers on an epic journey of conflict and redemption.
Available for the first time in the nearly 60 years since they were introduced, the four 1960s vocal albums from Lainie Kazan are now streaming on all digital platforms.
Explore Taiwan's future in THE ALLIANCE OF THE WEAK: VOLUME 1 by Infinity A, a new novel from Baggins & Gamgee that delves into a world where flaws and disabilities redefine societal norms.
BroadwayWorld spoke with Roslyn Kind to discuss her medley 'The Look of Love' and 'The Island'. The musical artist discusses her career, her philosophy on love, and her new music video in this exclusive interview.
Routledge, an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, will release the new book from musical theater artist and historian Ben West, The American Musical: Evolution of an Art Form, on April 1, 2024.
GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS will release The Gardens of Anuncia (Original Cast Recording) – based on the recent Lincoln Center Theater production – in streaming and digital formats on Friday, March 22. Learn More about the show!
Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 24 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's spring reading list.