Broadway Rhythm is a guide to Manhattan like nothing you've ever read. Author Dominic Symonds calls it a performance cartography, and argues that the city of New York maps its iconicity in the music of the Broadway songbook. A series of walking tours takes the reader through the landscape of Manhattan, clambering over rooftops, riding the subway, and flying over skyscrapers. Symonds argues that Broadway's songs can themselves be used as maps to better understand the city though identifiable pat...
The complete memoirs of Neil Simon, the greatest—and most successful—American playwright of all time, the author of such iconic works as Lost in Yonkers, The Odd Couple, Biloxi Blues, and The Goodbye Girl, now with an insightful Introduction by Nathan Lane.
This omnibus edition combines Neil Simon’s two memoirs, Rewrites and The Play Goes On, into one volume that spans his extraordinary five-decade career in theater, television, and film. Rewrites takes Simon through his first love, his firs...
The official behind-the-scenes book of the new hit musical.
A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he's always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Both deeply personal and profoundly contemporary, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a new American musical about life and the way we live it.
The book-produced by Melcher Media, the team behind Hamilton, Wicked, Rent, and many more-tells...
The list of Nicholas Hytner's accomplishments is long and distinguished: as Artistic Director of London's National Theatre from 2003-2015, he directed and produced a great number of their most popular and memorable plays and musicals, many of which have come to Broadway: Carousel, Richard Bean's One Man, Two Guvnors, David Hare's Stuff Happens among them. He directed both the London and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, each of which ran for ten years. He directed Alan Bennett's The Madness ...
The Lion King debuted July 8, 1997, at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, and was an instant success before premiering at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 13, 1997. It is Broadway's highest grossing production of all time, having grossed more than $1 billion. The show won six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical, making Julie Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts award...
Drawing on his own life and career and the rich lore of The Lion King, Alton Fitzgerald White, Broadway's longest running "King," delivers his message of service -- taking responsibility for and deriving happiness from commonplace achievements -- as a philosophy that anyone can get through each day with satisfaction, pride and a sense of accomplishment.
If you've ever wondered how an actor can perform the same role hundreds of times without burning out, in White's book you'll meet someone who ...
This amazing new collection features over 600 Broadway songs arranged with melody, lyrics and chords for C instruments. Definitely a must-own resource for any gigging or auditioning musician or actor! Includes: All at Once You Love Her * All I Ask of You * Alone in the Universe * Always Look on the Bright Side of Life * And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going * Another Op'nin', Another Show * Any Dream Will Do * Anything Goes * Aquarius * Be Our Guest * Bess, You Is My Woman * Big Spender * Body and...
A chronological reprinting of one of the most important comic strips of the 20th Century. Annie is a cultural icon--in both her red-headed, blank-eyed appearance, and as an embodiment of American individuality, spunk, and self-reliance. Even those who don't know strip are keenly aware of the plucky orphan, her loveable dog Sandy, and her adoptive benefactor, "Daddy" Warbucks, through the Broadway play, the hit movie, and the song "Tomorrow," made famous by both.
What would you do if you foun...
After opening in a small Off-Broadway theater, Rent , a modern adaptation of Puccini's La Boheme , quickly became a worldwide phenomenon with a more zealous and devoted fan base than had any musical in history. Rent FAQ includes biographical info on the musical's brilliant creator, Jonathan Larson, who tragically passed away at age 35 the night before the show began preview performances. Other chapters focus on the creative team and original cast; the development of the script and score from ea...
Spanning nine decades and showcasing the most memorable songs, dazzling dancing, and brightest stars ever to grace the silver screen, Must-See Musicals is the guide to the greatest musicals of all time from the most trusted authority on film-Turner Classic Movies.
Movie musicals have been a part of pop culture since films began to talk nine decades ago with the premiere of The Jazz Singer in the fall of 1927. Since then, musicals have sung and danced over a vast amount of territory. In their ...
Al Hirschfeld knew everybody and drew everybody. Beginning in the 1920s, he caricatured Hollywood, politics, and notably the theater: Broadway belonged to Hirschfeld. His distinctive drawings appeared in The New York Times and other publications for more than seventy-five years. He lived in Paris, Moscow, and Bali, and in a pink New York townhouse on a star-studded block where his closest pals?S. J. Perelman, Brooks Atkinson, Carol Channing, Gloria Vanderbilt, Elia Kazan, William Saroyan, Marle...
By book author and Broadway dancer Tim Federle. Features 50 tips and anecdotes, with chapters such as "Let Someone Else Take a Bow," "Dance Like Everyone's Watching," and "Save the Drama for the Stage."
Rick Elice, author of Jersey Boys, Addams Family, and Peter and the Starcatcher for Broadway, has penned a heartbreaking memoir of his 34 years with the inimitable Roger Rees. Some may recognize Roger as Nicholas Nickleby and others will know him as Kirstie Alley's boyfriend on Cheers. When he died of brain cancer in 2015, Broadway dimmed all the lights in his honor -- a true stage legend. Pulled straight from Rick's enormous and broken heart, Finding Roger will touch everyone who reads it. It'...
Based on a true story that stunned the world, and inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly, M. Butterfly was an immediate sensation when it premiered in 1988. It opens in the cramped prison cell where diplomat Rene Gallimard is being held captive by the French government—and by his own illusions. He recalls a time when Song Liling, the beautiful Chinese diva, touched him with a love as vivid, as seductive—and as elusive—as a butterfly.
How could he have known that his true love w...
Before Tim Federle became a bestselling author and a Broadway playwright, he worked as a back-up dancer at the Super Bowl, a polar bear at Radio City, and a card-carrying chorus boy on Broadway. Life is Life a Musical features 50 tips learned backstage, onstage, and in between gigs, with chapters such as "Dance Like Everyone's Watching" and "Save the Drama for the Stage." This charming and clever guide will appeal to all ages and inspire readers to step into the lead role of their own life, eve...
From Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein to Stephen Schwartz and Stephen Sondheim, 100 timeless hits from the Great White Way are showcased in this book of classics in arrangements for piano, voice and guitar.
Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart are one of the defining duos of musical theater, contributing dozens of classic songs to the Great American Songbook and working together on over 40 shows before Hart's death. With hit after hit on both Broadway and the West End, they produced many of the celebrated songs of the '20s and '30s--such as "Manhattan," "The Lady is a Tramp," and "Bewitched"--that remain popular favorites with great cultural resonance today. Yet the early years of these iconic collabor...
When mixing a live show, for the first time or hundredth time, there are countless things running through your mind, foremost- this is live and you have to get it right!Whether you are working on Broadway, in a regional theatre or on the school production, having an understanding of the equipment, set up, and how sound behaves is crucial to the success of your show's performance.In this guide to live sound mixing for theatre, Shannon Slaton shares his expert knowledge and proven, effective tech...
The Woods are just Trees. The Trees are just Wood.’ – All together
In 1987, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine combined several classic fairy tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk to create Into the Woods. Funny and heartfelt, this musical explores what it might mean to act responsibly in society, both as a parent and as a child.
Situating the work within Sondheim’s oeuvre and the Broadway canon, Olaf Jubin first offers a detailed reading of the show...
A review of the illustrious career of costume designer William Ivey Long and an analysis of his work. Illustrations of his sketches, fabric swatches, and costume designs; discussion of the productions brought to life by his award-winning costumes.
Introduce the splendor of Broadway music to your children with the Broadway Baby series! Now you can share and enjoy Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Do Re Mi from The Sound of Music with your children in this gorgeously illustrated book.
The first title in the series, Broadway Baby: The Sound of Music, Do Re Meâ?? pairs the famous lyrics with beautiful and sweet illustrations that help bring the classic songs to life.
Kids will find it super easy to read -- or sing -- along to this clas...
In 1943, a wounded soldier aided by a cane limped into the Stage Door Canteen, the American Theatre Wing's fabled New York club created to entertain the Allied forces. Two hours later, he was said to have left with a spring in his step and without the cane. This "miracle" is recounted in the lavish new book, The American Theatre Wing, an Oral History: 100 Years, 100 Voices, 100 Million Miracles . The other 999,999 miracles are more commonplace, if no less remarkable, told by the impassioned art...
Twenty-First Century Musicals stakes a place for the musical in today’s cinematic landscape, taking a look at leading contemporary shows from their stage origins to their big-screen adaptations. Each chapter offers a new perspective on a single musical, challenging populist narratives and exploring underlying narratives and sub-texts in depth. Themes of national identity; race, class and gender; the ‘voice’ and ‘singing live’ on film; authenticity; camp sensibilities; and the celebration of fai...
By veteran general manager Peter Bogyo. Glimpse into the world of theatrical general management. Laced with humorous insights and personal anecdotes. Examines actual production and operating budgets for a Broadway show and offers analysis of real contracts. Also: How to get started as a general manager; Negotiating contracts; How the producing entity functions; Programming the box office; The issues related to hiring employees; Binding insurance; Financial overview; Maintaining the run of a sho...
Are you an avid theatre buff who can name all of Shakespeare’s plays?in chronological order?and reel off the precise number of performances for each of Broadway’s longest-running shows? Or do you see a play or a musical only now and then as a special treat? Either way, You’re On! will tease your brain and tickle your memory. Casual theater-goers and seasoned thespians alike will enjoy the challenge?and maybe learn a few little-known facts about their favorite shows and stars.
Do you know wh...
This is the first publication on the plays of New York–based experimental theater director and playwright Richard Maxwell (born 1967) and his company New York City Players. His plays have been commissioned by The Wexner Center, Columbus; The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; Performance Space 122, The Kitchen and Soho Rep in New York; and The Barbican Centre, London. The book captures the experience of actually watching the plays by way of screen-grabs and captions, and in doing so documents near...
"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" These famous lines from The Graduate (1967) would forever link Anne Bancroft (1931–2005) to the groundbreaking film and confirm her status as a movie icon. Along with her portrayal of Annie Sullivan in the stage and film drama The Miracle Worker, this role was a highlight of a career that spanned a half-century and brought Bancroft an Oscar, two Tonys, and two Emmy awards.
In the first biography to cover the entire scope of Bancroft's ...
Explores the Globe Theatre's first decade of productions under the leadership of Sir Mark Rylance. Material from the theatre's archive, interviews with Globe practitioners, and Rylance's own personal archive. Concludes with an in-depth interview with Rylance himself.
Explores the issues, public and private, that so influenced Albee's vision over five decades. Covers all of Albee's original works. Part I explores Albee's background and the historical contexts of his work; Part II concentrates on twenty-four of his plays; Part III investigates his critical reception. Surveying Albee's relationship with Broadway, and including interviews conducted with Albee himself.
Now in its seventh decade, the annals of The Best American Short Plays series now boasts hundreds of groundbreaking one-acts and an alumni list the likes of which other anthologies can only dream. From luminaries like Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee to the brightest stars of today, such as Murray Schisgal, James Armstrong, Billy Aronson, Jules Tasca, Neil LaBute, and Daniel Gallant, TBASP established itself as the standard bearer for its genre by presenting materials that offer a forthright...
Memoir by Harold Prince. Includes the content of Prince's 1974 book "Contradictions: Notes on Twenty-Six Years in the Theatre," plus his present-day reflections on that text and much more original content, offering insights into the way business is conducted on Broadway, drawing sharp contrasts between past and present.
Memoir by Harold Prince. Includes the content of Prince's 1974 book "Contradictions: Notes on Twenty-Six Years in the Theatre," plus his present-day reflections on that text and much more original content, offering insights into the way business is conducted on Broadway, drawing sharp contrasts between past and present.
The high school or college English class offers a long list of technical terms: Symbolism, Irony, Metafiction, Allegory, Metaphor… With such a barrage, it can be tough to sort them all out. Yet here’s the list, from Absurdity to Zeugma, all defined through the clever wordplay of Hamilton. In fact, musicals use all the rhythm and rhyme patterns of history’s top poets, and the literary skill of crafting characters and straddling genre. Further, the rap battles reveal a list of logical fallacies a...
April, 1984. Winston Smith thinks a thought, starts a diary, and falls in love. But Big Brother is watching him, and the door to Room 101 can swing open in the blink of an eye. Its ideas have become our ideas, and Orwell’s fiction is often said to be our reality. The definitive book of the 20th century is re-examined in a radical new adaptation exploring why Orwell’s vision of the future is as relevant as ever. An edited and updated version of the script of this critically acclaimed adaptation,...
My Big Fat Broadway Debut! the ebook miniseries chronicles the remarkable journey of Steven Cutts, who went from being a kid with a dream to being a pro on the Broadway stage. The book is packed with stories, wisecracks, pitfalls, and sage advice from a true industry insider.
*Includes pictures
*Includes historic descriptions of Broadway theaters and plays
*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading
*Includes a table of contents
Of all the great cities in the world, few personify their country like New York City. As America’s largest city and best known immigration gateway into the country, NYC represents the beauty, diversity and sheer strength of the United States, a global financial center that has enticed people chasing the “American ...
Matching the music from the 2017 Tony Award nominated Broadway revival of this hit Boublil & Schonberg musical, our collection features a baker's dozen selections in piano/vocal format. Includes: The American Dream * Bui-Doi * The Heat Is on in Saigon * I Still Believe * I'd Give My Life for You * If You Want to Die in Bed * The Last Night of the World * Maybe * The Movie in My Mind * Sun and Moon * Too Much for One Heart * What a Waste * Why God Why? Includes color artwork from the production.
In the cult classic movie-turned-Broadway production, the eternally optimistic protagonist of Waitress expresses her hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations through the whimsically named pies she bakes each morning. Sugar, Butter, Flour celebrates this art of baking from the heart, with foolproof and flavorful pies for seduction, pies for mending a broken heart, pies for celebrating new beginnings and pies for all the little milestones that come afterwards. Taking its inspiration from the iconic...
So you did it! You wrote a stage play! Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back! Now what? How do you transform your script from the page to the stage? What is the standard length and time for a stage play? How will I finance it? Where do I find my cast members? Slow Down! Breathe! Don’t Panic! These are all typical questions that first time playwrights/producers ask when we think about mounting a play. I can truly relate! That’s why I am going to be as transparent as I can. Believe me I know ...
The Show Musician is the essential guide for all musicians who aspire to work in musical theatre or have an interest in the subject. It gives great insight into the many diverse skills needed to succeed in this competitive industry, in addition to providing information that can help to sustain a long and successful career. Find out what goes on behind the scenes and how you go about preparing for, and getting that first break as a show musician.
Topics covered include:
How to get work on s...
This hit musical adapted from the 1997 Disney film of the same name came to Broadway in April 2017. Our vocal selections feature piano/vocal arrangements of 14 songs by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, including: Close the Door * Everything to Win * Journey to the Past * Learn to Do It * Once upon a December * Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart) * A Rumor in St. Petersburg * Still * and more.
If you've imagined being a Producer or a Writer. . .an Actor or a Director. . .or a real estate investor, hedge fund dude, or even a world champion poker player. . .you can do it, as long as you have the right directions. And I'd like to share those directions with you. . .the directions that took me years to gather, but the directions that are without a doubt responsible for getting me where I am today. . .and more importantly, will be 101% responsible for where I want to be tomorrow. And I kn...
The Tony-award winning Aladdin is a veritable hit on Broadway and is just beginning national and international performances. In A Whole New World, readers will discover the journey from ancient legend to screen to stage in the words of its creators.
In this touching and often hilarious theatrical memoir, Ron
Fassler tells the stories of how over a four-year span,
between the ages of 12-16, he saw 200 Broadway plays and
musicals for as little as $1.50 a ticket—and all from UP IN
THE CHEAP SEATS.
Such landmarks as Company, 1776, The Great White Hope,
Hair, Follies and Pippin are but a small sampling of the
original productions Fassler saw, funded entirely from the
money earned as a Long Island paper boy. His eyewitness
account t...
When films like The Jazz Singer started to integrate synchronized music, in the late 1920s many ambitious songwriting pioneers of the Great White Way - George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Lorenz Hart, among many others - were enticed westward by Hollywood studios' promises of national exposure and top dollar success. But what happened when writers native to the business of Broadway ran into the very different business of Hollywood? Their movies had their producer despots,...
When Robert Preston shouted “Ya got trouble!” in River City, when Carol Channing glided down a gilded staircase while waiters serenaded her with “Hello, Dolly!,” when Barbra Streisand defied us to rain on her parade in Funny Girl, audiences were instantly enchanted. After such indelible moments, musicals were never the same, and neither were we. These were all showstoppers, the numbers you think about that propel you to see the show again, the songs you recall whenever the show is mentioned—“Bi...
Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story showcases the complete history of the musical on stage and screen, from its origins in ancient Greece to early twentieth century dance halls and vaudeville to the golden age of cinema productions to the record-breaking Broadway musicals of today.
Packed with historical insights, memorabilia, behind-the-scenes gossip, and artifacts, Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story takes you on the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of the best-loved musicals,...
The King and I opened on Broadway on March 29, 1951. The musical is based on a 1944 novel by Margaret Landon, Anna and the King of Siam , which in turn was adapted from the real-life reminiscences of Anna Leonowens, as recounted in her own books, The English Governess at the Siamese Court and The Romance of the Harem . It is 1862 in Siam when an English widow, Anna Leonowens, arrives with her young son at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, having been summoned by the King to serve as tutor to his man...
Experiencing Broadway Music: A Listener’s Companion will cover approximately the last century of American musical theater, beginning with the early-twentieth-century shift from European-influenced operettas and bawdy variety shows to sophisticated works of seamlessly integrated song and dance that became uniquely American. It will conclude with an examination of current musical trends and practices on Broadway.
As a musician who works on Broadway and in developmental musical theater, Kathry...
Broadway’s most respected (and feared) commentator pulls back the curtain on its stars, its producers, and its mega-hits to reveal all the shocking drama, intrigue, and power plays that happened off stage.
Razzle Dazzle is a provocative, no-holds-barred narrative account of the people and the money and the power that re-invented an iconic quarter of New York City, turning its gritty back alleys and sex-shops into the glitzy, dazzling Great White Way—and bringing a crippled New York from the ...
