Broadway: The American Musical Returns In Updated Paperback Edition

A companion to the Emmy-winning PBS documentary series, Broadway: The American Musical presents the definitive history of the musical, from its roots at the turn of the 20th century through the smashing successes of the new millennium. Critically lauded as "the ultimate book for lovers of musical theater," the compelling, in-depth text is lavishly illustrated with a treasure trove of photographs, sheet-music covers, posters, scenic renderings, production stills, rehearsal shots and caricatures, many previously unpublished.

Now authors Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon have updated the book for a brand-new paperback edition. This trade paper edition is completely up-to-date through the 2009-2010 season, with a new chapter on the musicals that debuted since the hardcover came out, as well as an all-new foreword by Julie Andrews, who narrated the PBS series.

"A wonderful, stand-alone, history of the Great White Way and essential for any lover of the American musical theatre." - Town and Country

What's new on Broadway (and in Broadway) since the first edition came out:
A new financial picture: In the decade from the 1998-99 season to the 2008-09 season, Broadway came close to doubling its cumulative box office: from $588 million to over $943 million. Much of the increase was the result of the delirious cost of tickets; the average ticket in 1998 cost $51 and in 2008, it cost $78. The average Broadway theatergoer-as reported in a 2009 survey by the Broadway League-had an annual income of nearly $200,000.
A new connection to audiences: During the first decade of the 21st Century, Internet ticket purchasing activity grew 471%--it's now by far the most popular method used to buy seats. Show utilize Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to build ongoing viral communities that connect the buying public with the musical while it's on the road, on Broadway, and on tour.
A new generation of fans: Among the younger generation, the Broadway musical became, if not totally hip, certainly pretty cool for the first time in four decades. High School Musical, went through the gymnasium roof, as did its two sequels (the soundtrack was the best-selling album of the year). Glee not only tapped Broadway alums for its cast--Matthew Morrison (Hairspray, South Pacific) and Lea Michele (Spring Awakening)--but a Broadway songbook and style of performance.
A new cultural mainstream: Broadway has entered the cultural mainstream in new ways, whether it's Gwen Stefani sampling Bock and Harnick tunes, Beyonce sampling Bob Fosse moves, Ethel Merman's voice on a commercial for Gap khakis, or Susan Boyle, storming the ramparts of popular culture by singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables on YouTube.
A new blockbuster: Wicked had barely opened when we went to press with the 2004 edition; by the end of 2009, eight separate productions were breaking house records around the world, bringing Wicked's take since October, 2003 to $1.75 billion-in November of 2009, it earned two million dollars at the Gershwin, the highest reported weekly gross in Broadway history.

Laurence Maslon is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Acting Program and the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University. He is the author of Some Like It Hot: The Official 50th Anniversary Companion, The South Pacific Companion, and The Sound of Music Companion With Michael Kantor, he co-wrote the PBS series Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America. Michael Kantor is a writer, director, and producer who created the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. Other recent work includes Quincy Jones: In the Pocket for the American Masters series and Cornerstone for HBO.

Broadway: The American Musical
Updated Paperback Edition
By Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon
Foreword by Julie Andrews
June 2010
$35.00, Paperback, ISBN: 978-1-4234-9103-3
500 pages, 9½ x 11¼, Full color throughout
Published by: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, an imprint of Hal Leonard
http://www.applausepub.com/itemDetail.jsp?itemid=314827