New Line Artistic Director Signs Deal For SEX, DRUGS, ROCK & ROLL, AND MUSICALS

New Line Theatre, "the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre," is proud to announce that artistic director Scott Miller has signed with a new publisher, Northeastern University Press, to publish his sixth musical theatre book, "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and Musicals," due to be released in 2011.

Like some of his earlier books, this one will be a collection of essays exploring some of the most interesting (and often, most underrated) works of the musical theatre, this time with a focus on how musical theatre tackles three of the most potent and pervasive cultural forces in America: sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Miller plans to include chapters on Bat Boy, Grease, The Rocky Horror Show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, High Fidelity, Jesus Christ Superstar, Return to the Forbidden Planet, and other shows, as well as a revised version of his chapter about Hair from Rebels with Applause.

Miller says, "The idea for this book came to me in 2007 when we produced a revue of theatre songs called Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll. I realized that, though some people still think of musicals as old-fashioned and naive, these three cultural forces underlie so many musicals, including most of the shows New Line produces, and I thought that was worth exploring. I want people to discover how much real depth and artistry is in shows like Grease, Rocky Horror, Hedwig, High Fidelity, and so many others. Musical theatre is an amazing, evolving art form and it has never been more exciting and relevant than it is right now."

Five of Miller's previous books have been published, including Strike Up the Band: A New History of Musical Theatre (2007, already in its fourth printing); Let the Sun Shine In: The Genius of Hair (2003); Rebels with Applause (2001, now in its fourth printing); Deconstructing Harold Hill (2000, now in its fifth printing); and From Assassins to West Side Story (1996, now in its eighth printing).

About Miller's Strike Up the Band, Bob Gutowski wrote for TalkinBroadway.com, "Enthusiasm. Without it, there would be no fun, no obsession and, of course, no chat boards! Scott Miller's recent Strike Up the Band: A New History of Musical Theatre has enthusiasm in spades. . . Miller has been writing, performing in, and directing musicals since 1981 --clearly, this is a man who lives, eats and breathes musicals. You can feel his excitement from the first page of the introductory chapter."

About Let the Sun Shine In, Library Journal wrote, "Miller believes passionately in the significance and power of musical theater. Three of his previous books, From Assassins to West Side Story, Deconstructing Harold Hill, and Rebels with Applause, offer intelligent and detailed analyses of landmark musicals. Miller's productions of Hair for New Line in 2001 led him to write this definitive study."

The Stage and Screen Book Club wrote about Rebels with Applause, "Anyone with an interest in musical theater will be fascinated with Miller's latest work, and the serious aficionado will find new insights to ponder. Above all, this mesmerizing new book will have you thinking and talking about the selected shows like never before."

And about his first book, the editors at Amazon.com wrote, "From Assassins to West Side Story is that rare theater textbook that is so articulate, insightful, and downright playful that it can be read simply for pleasure."

For more about Miller's books, visit http://www.newlinetheatre.com/book.html

New Line Theatre is a professional company dedicated to involving the people of the St. Louis region in the exploration and creation of daring, provocative, socially and politically relevant works of musical theatre. New Line closes its 19th season in July with EVITA, running July 8-31. Tickets are on sale now through Metrotix, 314-534-1111. New Line's 20th season will include I Love My Wife, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and bare. New Line receives funding from the Regional Arts Commission, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, and the Missouri Arts Council.

For other information, visit New Line Theatre's full-service website at www.newlinetheatre.com. All programs are subject to change.

 

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