Overture and Finale: Rodgers and Hammerstein and the Creation of Their Two Greatest Hits

by Max Wilk

A good read awaits theater lovers in this you-are-there account of the most phenomenal collaboration in Broadway history.





“The book benefits greatly from firsthand comments from the creators and performers of both original casts and the very successful film versions.”— Billboard Magazine



“Wilk's lively book tells of the creation of both Rodgers and Hammerstein shows....Better than that, Wilk makes the musicals live and breathe as well, telling their stories in a breezy—although never cavalier— manner.”— Show Music



“The definitive "biography" of two of the most successful musicals ever Oklahoma and The Sound of Music . This is a book that belongs in the library of every serious student of the American Musical. Not only is this book a work of great historical benfit, but it also provides the reader a chance to relive a bygone era through an account that makes it seem like only yesterday.”— Sheet Music Magazine

Genres: Music

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jana]

Feels right to finish this on Julie Andrews' birthday.

[Erin]

Can't believe I've owned this book - and done study guide articles on both of the shows mentioned, Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music - and hadn't remembered to dig it out and finally read it. Well written, includes many anecdotes I hadn't seen before, as well as reinforcing ones I knew. Great dramaturgical research for musical theatre fans.

[Jonathan]

Really interesting and engrossing account of the genesis of two pillars of the modern musical theatre. Loads of sources, and the author's very-readable style, make this a great read.