| Abstract |
In 1943, the production of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's Oklahoma! heralded a new era for musical theatre by integrating songs with story in a manner that defied conventions of the genre. Other great musicals followed, including such classics as On the Town, Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls; My Fair Lady, West Side Story, and The Sound of Music. This book discusses more than 180 musicals covering a span of more than twenty years. The author lists both commercial successes and flops of the Golden Age, when musicals on Broadway showcased timeless tunes, sophisticated comedy, and the genius of creative artists like Rodgers and Hammerstein, George S. Kaufman, Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe, Leonard Bernstein, George Abbott, Moss Hart, Mary Martin, Bob Fosse, Angela Lansbury, Robert Preston, and many others. After an overview of Broadway's history, Naden provides details about shows, stars, theatres, and awards. Each entry includes such information as opening date, number of performances, primary cast and crew, and a plot synopsis, as well as other interesting data about the show. Additional details about well-known actors, singers, composers, lyricists, directors, and choreographers of the period are presented in the next section, including birth and death dates, birth cities and names, brief biographies, and award nominations and wins. Subsequent sections provide descriptions of Broadway theatres and awards, including lists of shows in each. With an appendix of songs from all of the major musicals of the era, this book will benefit anyone wanting to know more about one of the richest periods in Broadway history. |
