Words with music : creating the Broadway musical libretto / Lehman Engel ; updated and revised by Howard Kissel.

Author/creator Engel, Lehman
Other author Kissel, Howard.
Format Book
Publication InfoNew York : Applause Theatre & Cinema Books ; Milwaukee, WI : Sales & distribution, North America, Hal Leonard, ©2006.
Description466 pages ; 23 cm
Subjects
Libretto.
Musicals--United States.
Broadway (New York, N.Y.)--History.

Contents Introduction -- Characters -- Subject matter -- The outer shape -- The needs of a musical: feeling -- Subplot -- Romance -- Lyrics and particularization -- Music -- Comedy -- Comedy and entertainment -- The new-old -- Response -- Opera -- Adaptation to libretto -- Failures -- Producers and stars -- Nonplot -- The original music.
Abstract The dean of Broadway musical directors examines the dynamics of how the book, music and lyrics work together to create such hits as My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Pal Joey, West Side Story, Company, South Pacific, Threepenny Opera and Porgy and Bess. Howard Kissel, chief theater critic for the New York Daily News, extends the reach of Engel's subjects by bringing them up to date with commentary on such shows as A Chorus Line, Nine, Sunday in the Park with George, Rent, Working and Falsettos. Kissel offers a thoughtful history on how musical theater has evolved in the three decades since Engel wrote Words with Music (1972) and how Engel's classic work remains vital and illuminating today.
General noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 443-445) and index.
LCCN 2005023666
ISBN1557835543 (pbk. original)
ISBN9781557835543

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Music Stacks ML2110 .E6 2006 ✔ Available Place Hold