Overview

From films ranging from An American in Paris and Flying Down to Rio to such Broadway landmarks as Oklahoma and West Side Story and television hits such as Cinderella and High School Musical, the American musical has thrilled audiences around the world. Now, in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical, readers have at last an engaging and authoritative reference to this highly popular genre – the only such book to cover stage, film, and television musicals in one volume. With more than two thousand entries, this book offers a wealth of information on musicals, performers, composers, lyricists, producers, choreographers, and much more. There are biographical entries on stars ranging from Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby to Mary Martin and Mae West as well as such contemporary show-stoppers as Nathan Lane, Savion Glover, and Kristin Chenowith; on composers ranging from Irving Berlin and George Gershwin to Richard Rodgers and Andrew Lloyd Webber; and on choreographers such as Bob Fosse, Tommy Tune, and Debbie Allen. The plays and films covered range from modern hits such as Mamma Mia! and Moulin Rouge to timeless classics such as Yankee Doodle Dandy and Show Boat. Also, many musicals written specifically for television are included, and many entries follow a work (such as Babes in Toyland) as it moves across genres, from stage, to film, to television. The Companion also includes cross references, a comprehensive listing of recommended recordings, and a useful chronological listing of all the musicals described in the book. Whether you are curious about Singin in the Rain or Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz or Grease, this well-researched and entertaining resource is the first place to turn for reliable information on virtually every aspect of the American musical.

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9780195335330

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Reviews

A magnificent new book about the American musical. --Playbill Kudos to Thomas Hischak for The Oxford Companion to the American Musical. Resources such as these are extremely important, not only as historic and academic records, but for future generations of artists who need to understand the legacy they have inherited. --Carol Channing Everything you ever wanted to know about the American musical--at your fingertips. What could be better, or more useful? --Marvin Hamlisch Enjoy as I did this wonderful book as you discover the place of the musical in history and its gift for the future. --Jonathan Pryce I can't imagine a more comprehensive and useful book for anyone who works in musicals or who simply loves them. It's a great research tool, but also a book to read for the sheer pleasure of finding out anything and everything there is to know on the subject. I'll be referring to it constantly. -Lynn Ahrens How wonderful it is to have the entire history of the American musical theater, both on stage and on film, now available in one handy volume. Amazingly comprehensive and thoroughly researched, The Oxford Companion to the American Musical is a must for any theater professional or any theater fan. - Stephen Flaherty Join us, leave your fields to flower and journey through this explosive, informative book that is keeping our legacy of the arts alive. - Ben Vereen How wonderful it is to have the entire history of the American musical theater, both on stage and on film, now available in one handy volume. Amazingly comprehensive and thoroughly researched, The Oxford Companion to the American Musical is a must for any theater professional or any theater fan. --Stephen Flaherty, Tony and Drama Desk award-winning composer of Ragtime, Once on this Island, and Seussical [A] brightly written and handsomely laid-out single-volume reference guide The Oxford Companion's strength lies not only in the breadth of its research but in the ability to capture both minor and major artists and musical projects in just a few words. -Robert Viagas, American Theatre The Oxford imprint has long been associated with solidly researched, intelligent reference works. The Oxford Companion to the American Musical is no exception. Whether you buy it as a gift for a friend or yourself, it's too much fun to pick up for quick browsing and too full of interesting facts to gather dust on the bookshelf. --CurtainUp.com This is an impressive single-volume resource targeting this beloved American form....While some of the facts can be found in other sources...this title is considerably more comprehensive....Recommended for all music aficionados, students, public, and academic libraries. --Library Journal This volume is an essential reference work on the shelves of all performing arts collections, large public libraries, academic libraries, and the personal libraries of individuals committed to the American musical. --American Reference Books Annual Online

In scop and style this is a useful, balanced and enjoyable readable reference book. John Snelson, Times Literary Supplement Hischak's book excels. John Snelson, Times Literary Supplement There is something of interest or surprise to be found on every page. Michael Quinn. Classical Music. Enjoy as I did this wonderful book as you discover the place of the musical in history and its gift for the future. Jonathan Pryce, Tony award-winning actor

Author Information

Thomas S. Hischak is Professor of Theatre at the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is the author of sixteen books on theatre, film, and popular music, including The Oxford Companion to American Theatre; the textbook Theatre As Human Action; and the award-winning American Musical Theatre Song Encyclopedia. He is also the author of twenty published plays.

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