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How Musicals Work: And How To Write Your Own
This invaluable inside account, written by a writer and director of many successful musicals, is jam-packed with great advice, information, and exercises designed to help new musicals reach their full potential. It's the ultimate guide to what to do and not do when you're putting your show together.
366 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 21, 2018
This book gives a great overview of all the different aspects involved in writing, directing and producing a musical (although focus is on writing the musical). It shows just how much work goes into getting a musical on stage. It is a very easy, quick read and through my armchair writing of the musical I now actually have a sense of accomplishment upon reading this book. Thoroughly recommended for anyone with an interest in musicals (even if you are 'just' a theatre goer like me who is wondering what happens behind the scenes).
I am itching to start on all the exercises and have a go at it myself!
I am itching to start on all the exercises and have a go at it myself!
January 16, 2023
Me encantó leer el libro. Me propuse leerlo como el principio de un proyecto que acabo de empezar. Los sistemas de producción y lo que quiero hacer es totalmente diferente. Pero leerlo me trajo mucha paz y diversión. Creo que plantea un muy buen paisaje de todo el arte tan difícil que es levantar un musical.
Aviso que mis reviews son más para mí y no para que sepan si lo leen o no. Ya me preguntan y les digo. Jjajaja
Aviso que mis reviews son más para mí y no para que sepan si lo leen o no. Ya me preguntan y les digo. Jjajaja
May 20, 2023
Mijn nieuwe Bijbel!
October 11, 2018
Like Clockwork
If you're writing a musical (are you, really?) you might find this structural approach interesting and useful. Julian Woolford does write them and he offers clear wisdom on how to do it.
If you are familiar with Joseph Campbell's 'mono myth ' (are you?) you will find this easier to follow. He takes a page out of Robert McKee's Story (well, more than a page) and sets out in clear terms, the 12 stages of the mono myth and applies it to musical theatre. He eschews modern musicals (post modern, really) and embraces the traditional Broadway musicals. He has clear likes and dislikes. For example, he has high regard for show tunes and contempt for rock music (lazy, according to Julian). In other words, he likes old fashioned musicals or ones from more serious composers. Given the dominance of rock music and jukebox musicals, this is more than a tiny blindspot. He focuses on the conventions (the I want song, the showstopper, the 11 O'Clock song) which make musicals tick and relates these to the stages of the myth.
There is a bit at the end about writing music which if you write music, is irrelevant.
It is clear and intelligent for the most part, and pretty didactic.
If you're writing a musical (are you, really?) you might find this structural approach interesting and useful. Julian Woolford does write them and he offers clear wisdom on how to do it.
If you are familiar with Joseph Campbell's 'mono myth ' (are you?) you will find this easier to follow. He takes a page out of Robert McKee's Story (well, more than a page) and sets out in clear terms, the 12 stages of the mono myth and applies it to musical theatre. He eschews modern musicals (post modern, really) and embraces the traditional Broadway musicals. He has clear likes and dislikes. For example, he has high regard for show tunes and contempt for rock music (lazy, according to Julian). In other words, he likes old fashioned musicals or ones from more serious composers. Given the dominance of rock music and jukebox musicals, this is more than a tiny blindspot. He focuses on the conventions (the I want song, the showstopper, the 11 O'Clock song) which make musicals tick and relates these to the stages of the myth.
There is a bit at the end about writing music which if you write music, is irrelevant.
It is clear and intelligent for the most part, and pretty didactic.
March 2, 2019
This was a very handy read, and even though it might have been a good idea to read this BEFORE writing my first full musical script, I found it even more useful to read afterwards to check what elements were lacking, misplaced or overdone.
How Musical's Work is clearly laid out and includes plenty of examples from musical theatre along with a few formulas, but not so many that the approach becomes programmatic and stereotyped.
Of particular use was the section on characters and the archetypes important to any successful story, or musical. These types follow closely on the work of Joseph Campbell and Christopher Vogel in describing the hero's journey. It was a genuine relief that my first draft included all of these.
This is a thorough work on creating a musical from ground up and includes details about such a wide scope as produceability, crew job descriptions, workshop processes and much more. It's also a very quick read and I'd recommend it to any first time, or any experienced, show writer.
How Musical's Work is clearly laid out and includes plenty of examples from musical theatre along with a few formulas, but not so many that the approach becomes programmatic and stereotyped.
Of particular use was the section on characters and the archetypes important to any successful story, or musical. These types follow closely on the work of Joseph Campbell and Christopher Vogel in describing the hero's journey. It was a genuine relief that my first draft included all of these.
This is a thorough work on creating a musical from ground up and includes details about such a wide scope as produceability, crew job descriptions, workshop processes and much more. It's also a very quick read and I'd recommend it to any first time, or any experienced, show writer.
June 7, 2020
At first I was a little turned off by what seems like it would be an ungracious and know-it-all author. But once I moved past that, the book is well structured and has loads of useful info. It covers things that Writing Musical Theater didn't cover, and it also has the UK perspective, which is a nice contrast to the US authors and perspective in the other book.
July 10, 2020
Full of encouraging ideas and advice
This book is a must read for anyone insane enough to try to write a musical. And while the author acknowledges the insanity required to take on such a mega task as writing a musical, he gives lots of kind and friendly advice that helps the project seem more manageable and even magical. 5 stars
This book is a must read for anyone insane enough to try to write a musical. And while the author acknowledges the insanity required to take on such a mega task as writing a musical, he gives lots of kind and friendly advice that helps the project seem more manageable and even magical. 5 stars
April 30, 2021
A comprehensive introduction to writing musicals from idea to production and beyond. This book is also of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about this 20th Century art form. Lots of interesting observations about well known musicals that illuminate the craft. A perfect starting point and a book to keep going back to.
June 1, 2023
Super interesting, very detailed. All I was looking for was how the songs come in to play; I got so much more! Every detail of suggestions on how to write, rewrite, and produce your musical is in this book. So very happy I picked it up.
December 31, 2022
Enjoyed every page!
January 24, 2023
Very helpful in understanding, following, and talking about the musicals we have been seeing with our series at our local theater.
September 1, 2024
Es bueno, y toca un poco todos los temas. Pero lo que a mí me interesaba es solo una parte algo breve. Aún así está muy bien.
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June 19, 2025read for school
December 2, 2020
Thank you!
As a rookie in the business, this was all incredibly helpful, insightful, realistic, and fun. Thank you very much for the knowledge.
As a rookie in the business, this was all incredibly helpful, insightful, realistic, and fun. Thank you very much for the knowledge.
February 1, 2017
Whelp im ready to write a musical now
This book walks through the technicals of how a musical works. From rhymes to scansion to which letters make the best singing sounds. Its an amusing and very humbly written guide, from someone who has has their share of Broadway success. It has both made me want to see more musicals and at the same time made me appreciate how hard it would be to write my own.
This book walks through the technicals of how a musical works. From rhymes to scansion to which letters make the best singing sounds. Its an amusing and very humbly written guide, from someone who has has their share of Broadway success. It has both made me want to see more musicals and at the same time made me appreciate how hard it would be to write my own.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews