Musical theatre has been no stranger to placing historical events on stage: from the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the first 'populist' President in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, through to the movement against the Vietnam War in Hair and the newsboys strike in Newsies; the musical form has long-explored and been inspired by the American story.
Following on from the success of the hit musical Hamilton (2015) came a reshaping of the way early U.S. history is taught and written about. This second edition of American Musicals in Historical Context gives students a fresh look at history-based musicals, providing a synopsis, an overview of critical and audience reception, and historical context and analysis for 21 musicals.
Thomas A. Greenfield
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A fresh look at history-based musicals, helping readers to understand the American story through one of the country's most celebrated art forms: the musical. Provides the synopsis, critical and audience reception, and historical context and analysis for each of 20 musicals select…
An intimate look into theatrical lighting design and collaboration through the eyes of four-time Tony Award winner, Kevin Adams. From Texas-born set designer to self-taught Broadway lighting designer, chronicling numerous productions including his 20-year journey with Hedwig and…
This collection brings together scripts, essays, biographies, interviews and photographs to celebrate seven queer playwrights lost to HIV/AIDS: Charles Ludlam, James Kirkwood Jr., George Whitmore, Harry Kondoleon, Alan Bowne, Colm Ó Clúbhán and Robert Chesley. From a drag-infused…
A gateway resource to understanding the historical and contemporary women who have been foundational in bringing musicals and plays to life on the iconic stages of Broadway, and beyond. When considering the birth and evolution of Broadway, we have heard of Richard Rodgers and Osc…
Shaped by Black musical traditions, European theatrical forms, and immigrant cultures, the Broadway musical emerged in the twentieth century as a visceral embodiment of the American melting pot. In Broadway in Black and White, conductor and historian John Mauceri―together with li…
A vibrant celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic multi-award winning musical, exploring its rich history, with letters from its cast, crew, and global fanbase, and featuring exclusive photos and archival materials. Since its opening night in 1986, Phantom of the Opera has be…
It's All Happening argues that musicals about high school of the 2010s (Heathers, Bring it On, Jagged Little Pill, The Prom, Mean Girls, Be More Chill, and Dear Evan Hansen) collectively frame the high school experience as a kind of performance-both through narratives that often…
Since the second half of the 19th century, live entertainment in the United States has been governed by monopolies and powerful business cartels who together through power and greed controlled who could produce, book, and present live performance and legitimate theatre, affecting…
A documentary following a national touring company of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will premiere on Amazon on November 17.
The Austrian family musical released its 2026 original cast recording live across streaming platforms, featuring 19 tracks with music by composer Günther Fiala and direction by Harald Buresch.
The original cast recording of SOUND MIND, a musical about teen mental health, is available on all major streaming platforms.
Last year Ghostlight Records released the studio cast recording of the new musical Deathless, starring Jeremy Jordan, Nicolette Robinson, and more.
The studio cast album of THAT PARENTING MUSICAL is available now.
The original cast album for the musical featuring songs by The Tragically Hip is now available via Universal Music Canada, with guest vocalists including Owen Riegling and Allison Russell.
The Museum of Broadway will host a vinyl and CD signing event with THE RESCUES, the two-time Tony Award-nominated composers of THE LOST BOYS, in connection with Atlantic Records' physical release.
Concord Theatricals Recordings will release two new formats of the RAGTIME cast recording: a 4-inch collectible Tiny Vinyl pressing and a Dolby Atmos digital remix, both featuring performances by Tony Award winners Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy.
Life Jacket Theatre Company, the creator of the new musical The Gorgeous Nothings, has teamed up with Making Gay History and their podcast of the same name to release 'The Queens of Welfare Island'.
Audible will premiere Feeding Frenzy, a new play from Audible Emerging Playwright Ava Geyer.
Play Club has published Jack Kelly Bellue's English translation of Sacha Guitry's 1916 French comedy, available as a standalone paperback after first appearing in Asymptote Literary Journal.
Bob Holz will release a compilation album featuring John McLaughlin, Jean Luc Ponty, Stanley Clarke, Randy Brecker and other jazz fusion musicians.
Joy Machine Records released the original cast recording for THE TUNEABOMBER, a musical comedy about the Unabomber written and performed by John Lampe and Michael Wysong, featuring theater legend Harvey Fierstein.
The second single from THAT PARENTING MUSICAL, featuring Christopher Jackson of HAMILTON, is out now.
Concord Theatricals Recordings released “O Holy Night,” the second single from the highly-anticipated Voices of The Gilded Age: The Christmas Album, due out November 6.
401 RECORDS will release the new album by Nicolas King on CD and streaming formats.
Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury Publishing will release Power and Greed: Monopolies, Mergers, and Cartels on the American Stage by Spencer Weber Waller this week.
Kennedy Caughell, currently starring in Todrick Hall's Off-Broadway musical MIDNIGHT, has released the CD edition of her debut album JUST THE BEGINNING.
Original Broadway cast members including Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, and Ana Gasteyer will gather at the Museum of Broadway to sign copies of the SCHMIGADOON! Original Broadway Cast Recording on CD and vinyl.
A concept EP titled STONE COLD will release with cast members including Isabella Esler, Echo Picone, Lindsay Heather Pearce, Cassadee Pope, and Keaton Whittaker.
The TUNEabomber: Original Cast Recording has released its second single “The TUNEabomber,” the show's title number.
Scott Fagan released a new song from his long-lost 1971 Broadway rock opera SOON, which starred a young Richard Gere.
BORDEN: A New Musical, which explores the Lizzie Borden murders through her sister Emma's perspective, will release a concept album featuring Broadway's Katy Geraghty as Lizzie Borden.
Broadway performer Kimberly Faye Greenberg will release an interactive children's book introducing young readers ages 7–12 to vaudeville history through the stories of two characters discovering their local theater's entertainment past.
That Parenting Musical (Studio Cast Album) will be released in streaming and digital formats.
Concord Theatricals Recordings has released a new recording of “Dreamer (The Familia Version),” by composer and theatrical artist Jaime Lozano, featuring more than 100 Latine Broadway and off-Broadway performers.
You can now get an exclusive first listen of “To Be A Butterfly,” the debut single from the upcoming concept album for the new folk musical The Waiting.
This holiday season, the cast of HBO’s Emmy Award-nominated Original Drama series The Gilded Age will come together for Voices Of The Gilded Age: The Christmas Album, featuring Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti, Kelli O'Hara, and more.
AILEY Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack announced her debut children's book INTRODUCING RHYTHM, illustrated by Justin Campbell, designed for readers ages 4–12 exploring movement, music, and self-discovery.
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