Broadway: The American Musical

by Laurence Maslon, Michael Kantor

Along with jazz and abstract expressionism, the Broadway musical is one of the few uniquely American art forms. A companion to the six-part PBS documentary series, BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL is the first comprehensive history of the musical, from its roots at the turn of the 20th century through the smashing successes of the new millennium. The compelling, in-depth text is lavishly illustrated with a treasure trove of photographs, sheet-music covers, posters, scenic renderings, production stills, rehearsal shots, and caricatures, many previously unpublished. Complementing the narrative are lively sidebars that highlight the stars, the shows, and the songs--the key ingredients that make the musical great. Each chapter also included essays written by some of Broadway's most fascinating luminaries, past and present. An entertaining amalgam of unpublished material, candid and production photographs, and a trunkful of anecdotes and Broadway lore, BROADWAY will appeal to eighth-graders in their first high school musical as well as to connoisseurs of the art form.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre, Music, Reference, History, Musicals, Research

480 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2004

About the author

Laurence Maslon is an arts professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, as well as associate chair of the Graduate Acting Program. He is the writer and coproducer of the American Masters documentary, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me, broadcast on PBS in 2019, as well as the artistic director and writer of “Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis, Jr. Songbook” at the 92Y’s “Lyrics and Lyricists” series. He is also the host and producer of the radio series, Broadway to Main Street on the local NPR-affiliate station WPPB-FM. The program is winner of the 2019 ASCAP Foundation/Deems Taylor Award for Radio Broadcast. His most recent book is the companion volume to the Broadway phenomenon Come From Away, as well as an update third edition companion volume to the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical. His history of recorded music from Broadway, Broadway to Main Street: How Show Music Enchanted America, was published in 2018 by Oxford University Press. He edited the two-volume set American Musicals (1927-1969) containing sixteen classic Broadway librettos, published by the Library of America in 2014 to national acclaim, as well as the Library of America’s Kaufman & Co., an anthology of Broadway comedies by George S. Kaufman. He wrote the American Masters documentary Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds in 2001 and with producer/director Michael Kantor, he cowrote the PBS series Make ‘Em Laugh (Emmy nomination) and two episodes of the Emmy-winning Broadway: The American Musical as well as its companion volume (third edition upcoming in fall 2019). He served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards from 2007 to 2010. He was written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Opera News, Stagebill, and American Theatre.

Reviews

[Addie D.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.

Great overview, just got a little boring at the end with all of the musicals I had never heard of...

[Susanna Hubacker]

this was my "textbook" for my class and yes I did read all of it. very interesting. very fascinating.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I'll admit it, I'm a huge musical theater snob. I've loved the musical since I was two or three and saw The Sound of Music for the first time. I have large collections of playbills and cast albums, and I saw the excellent PBS documentary that serves as a companion to this book three times all the way through. So I guess it wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that I really enjoyed this book. It's not just about the history of the musical. It's also an examination of American history and culture throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries. Favorite composers and performers are profiled, the stories behind favorite songs are told, and the book is filled with photos, posters and other fun stuff. If you're as big a musical theater fan as I am, this is a must-read.

[Christopher Lentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Broadway: The American Musical" is an incredibly detailed, but incredibly fascinating companion book to the six-part PBS series. It provides the best seat in the house--likely crushed, red velvet--to the history of the world's greatest showplace. The book is sprinkled with rare images, anecdotes and Broadway lore. From burlesque to blockbuster, the shows that are highlighted reflect their times, cultures and creators. Treat yourself to this treasure chest of insight and entertainment.

[Jack Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Consult it from time to time.

[LA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets Broadway. I wish I had read the newer edition because there are definitely some parts that feel very written-in-2004. But it's not the authors' fault I got this book when I was a kid and spent many years avoiding finishing it because I remembered it being intimidating (not knowing there was a docuseries, lol), only to pick it back up as an adult and find it to be delightful and zoom right through to the end. The photos, chapters and vignettes all perfectly capture the unique feeling of awe you can only get from musicals. Now, where can I find that docuseries?

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Broadway history book I ever read, and it’s still my favorite after reading many more. It’s comprehensive, has lots of interesting stories and background information, and the pictures make it a great coffee table book. I think it has a nice level of detail—it’s a great high-level overview of Broadway history, and it gave me a lot of ideas for topics to look into in more detail in additional books and documentaries. It also mentions a lot of shows I wasn’t familiar with at the time, so it gave me lots of new music to check out, too. Highly, highly recommend. (I first read it as a teenager, so I would especially recommend it if you’re looking for a gift for a high school theatre kid.)

[Noemi · Rating 2 out of 5]

insightful. book itself is awkwardly huge and difficult to hold.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the book, but I really love the companion PBS program featuring over 20 of Broadway's top stars sharing the History of the great White Way! Awesome read too!

[Ann Balk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud member of this cult

[Fly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up - this is a gorgeous book, but I wish the last chapter was as complete as the previous six. It felt a little tacked-on and rushed.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one fantastic history of musicals in the US. The only problem, the book is huge: so big you need a crane to hold it. Terrific information about the every musical: composers, lyricists, and writers, as well as dancers, singer, producers, directors and choreographers who made Broadway, the Great White Way. Hundreds of pictures both black and white and color. My son Mika gave this to me for Christmas 2009.
Thanks Mika.

[Keaton Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a. Great book about Broadway it has everything that you want of Broadway in a book . It is simply delightful and it shows decades of Broadway and different shows that's we're playing during the time in the book . It has pics from old Broadway ( decades 30s -50s) . It's really is a guide to Broadway !

Overall it's great if u love theatre get this book ASAP

[Kat C · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wealth of information! ^.^ It made this theatre nerd girl pretty happy =)

Only one Con...It may be finicky but the history lesson end at 2004 so no Spring Awakening mention. It made me a Sad Panda. What can I say, it's my favourite! ;)

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, very informative and interesting even though I didn't think it was particularly well-written at times.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coffee table book. Had this as a text in my Musical Theatre History class. Lots of great info and pictures. The DVD series it supports is really interesting too.

[Annamarie]

Absolutely one of my favorite textbooks so far. Very cleverly written and interesting, especially if you enjoy musicals at all.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coffee table book and history of Broadway.

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

My beautiful and informative coffee table book about The American Musical.

[Snap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating study of the history of the American musical, very well-written.

[Ann]

Top 5 Pop Culture - PLA

[Randi (The Artist Formerly known as Guitar Chick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos and some cool stuff going in here, although I do prefer the PBS series.

[Alessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to know about Broadway is inside this book. Brilliant and totally enjoyable!

[Hillary]

I want to buy a copy just for the pictures.