The Cambridge Companion to the Musical

by William A. Everett (Editor), Paul R. Laird (Editor)

The expanded and updated third edition of this acclaimed Companion provides an accessible, broadly based survey of one of the liveliest and most popular forms of musical performance. It ranges from the American musical of the nineteenth century to the most recent productions on Broadway, in London's West End, and many other venues, and includes key information on singers, audiences, critical reception, and traditions. Contributors approach the subject from a wide variety of perspectives, including historical concerns, artistic aspects, important trends, attention to various genres, the importance of stars, the influence of race, the various disciplines of theatrical production, the musical in varied media, and changes in technology. Chapters related to the contemporary musical have been updated, and two new chapters cover the television musical and the British musical since 1970. Carefully organised and highly readable, it will be welcomed by enthusiasts, students, and scholars alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Musicals, Theatre, Music

502 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2002

Reviews

[ALLEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franz Lehar and Rudolf Friml. Victor Herbert and Jerome Kern and of course, the Gershwins. Cole Porter and Kurt Weill. Irving Berlin and Leonard Bernstein. Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields and Jule Styne; Rodgers and Hammerstein. Harold Arlen. And who could forget Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber? The list goes on and on.

Anyone can pick this book up and get a thorough grounding in American and British musicals of the Twentieth Century. I found it amazing that in just a little over 250 pages THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION discusses so well and so amiably evolving musical styles, the major innovators, and transatlantic influences (the "British Invasion" for example). What won't you get too much of? An emphasis on economics or recorded-music technology. And the chapters devoted to Stephen Sondheim are nothing short of superb. Look for this book in any edition.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read all the articles thoroughly, but mostly they seemed professional. The text about European musicals was a bit pathetic, though, because it seemed like the author didn't know much about the topic herself and only cited other sources. And exactly that article I would have needed...