Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Musical Theatre 5

Chapter 1: Before the Curtain Rises: Just the Basics about Musical Theatre 7

Chapter 2: The History of Musical Theatre (in “only” 100 pages!) 19

Chapter 3: Finally the Anatomy of a Musical 123

Chapter 4: Oklahoma, Chicago, Avenue Q: Where Musical Theatre Takes Place 139

Chapter 5: Experiencing the Magic of Musical Theatre 167

Part 2: The People Who Make Musical Theatre Happen 189

Chapter 6: Making the Musical — The Creators 191

Chapter 7: Creating the Big Picture — “The Room Where It Happens” 217

Chapter 8: Delivering the Details — The Creatives 231

Chapter 9: “Being Alive” — The Performers 249

Chapter 10: Introducing the People Who Work the Show Night after Night 271

Part 3: The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Theatre Life 295

Chapter 11: Understanding How an Idea Becomes Broadway Gold 297

Chapter 12: “Hi-Ho, the Glamorous Life” (of a Broadway Performer) 319

Chapter 13: Landing a Role (Paying or Not!) 339

Part 4: The Part of Tens 363

Chapter 14: Ten (Plus) Songs You Didn’t Realize Came from Musical Theatre 365

Chapter 15: Ten Celebs Who Started in Musical Theatre 369

Index 375

About the Author

Seth Rudetsky is the afternoon host of “On Broadway” on SIRIUSXM®. Seth has played piano and/or conducted more than a dozen Broadway shows, including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Grease. He co-wrote and starred on Broadway in the New York Times Critics pick musical DISASTER! During the COVID lockdown, he and his husband James Wesley raised more than $1,000,000 for the Actors Fund with their online show Stars In The House. For more info go to SethRudetsky.com.