Promotional Information

*An illustrated, comprehensive look at the past 100 years of the American musical, which ties in with a 6-part documentary series of the same name.

About the Author

Laurence Maslon teaches at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, has written extensively on Broadway, wrote the American Masters biography of Richard Rogers and edited an edition of George S. Kaufman's comedies. Michael Kantor is a producer of documentary films such as The West, Lindbergh and Out of the Past. He has been published in Newsday, TheatreWeek and Interview.

Reviews

Curmudgeonly Broadway critic John Simon recently wrote in New York magazine, "Now, if ever, is time to conclude with lament for the current state of the Broadway musical." While many agree, now is also the time to rejoice over such a complete, detailed, extensive, and simply glorious set as Broadway: The American Musical. The six episodes are Give My Regards to Broadway (1893-1927); Syncopated City (1919-33); I Got Plenty of Nuttin' (1930-42); Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' (1943-60); Tradition (1957-79); and Putting It Together (1980-2004). The clips and interviews here are unparalleled for instruction and enrichment. No less a legend than Julie Andrews narrates with the correct balance of reverence and authority. The set contains an additional three hours of interviews and the documentary Wicked: The Road to Broadway. Whether you agree with Simon or not, Broadway: The American Musical is first-class viewing. Highly recommended.-Gerald A. Notaro, Univ. of South Florida Lib., St. Petersburg Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.