The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals
By (author) Dan Dietz
Publication date:
03 September 2015Length of book:
596 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781442251656
The 1970s was an exciting decade for musical theatre. Besides shows from legends Stephen Sondheim (Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita), old-fashioned musicals (Annie) and major revivals (No, No, Nanette) became hits. In addition to underappreciated shows like Over Here! and cult musicals such as The Grass Harp and Mack and Mabel, Broadway audiences were entertained by black musicals on the order of The Wiz and Raisin.
In The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1970s. In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Bette Midler, and Gilda Radner.
Each entry includes the following information:
Besides separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes, including a discography, filmography, and published scripts, as well as lists of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, black-themed shows, and Jewish-themed productions.
A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals provides readers with a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.
In The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1970s. In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Bette Midler, and Gilda Radner.
Each entry includes the following information:
- Opening and closing dates
- Plot summaries
- Cast members
- Number of performances
- Names of all important personnel including writers, composers, directors, choreographers, producers, and musical directors
- Musical numbers and the names of performers who introduced the songs
- Production data, including information about tryouts
- Source material
- Critical commentary
- Tony awards and nominations
- Details about London and other foreign productions
Besides separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes, including a discography, filmography, and published scripts, as well as lists of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, black-themed shows, and Jewish-themed productions.
A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals provides readers with a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.
Although not officially a series or a set, author Dietz continues his examination of Broadway musicals after publishing separate volumes covering the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. This 1970s installment examines 285 musicals that opened on Broadway during the decade. Included here are full-fledged musicals, personal appearances, reviews, and operas. Entries include the hosting theater, opening and closing dates, and Tony awards or nominations. Authors and composers, production personnel, cast, and number of acts are also detailed. A list of musical numbers with the principal performer follows. Some delightful commentary and unknown facts are also divulged, and Deitz provides a thorough synopsis of each show's plot as well as information about the production staff and performers. Critical reception and review references are also provided. Deitz manages to include information on cast recordings and movie or video/DVD releases, some rather rare and hard to come by, as well as information on published scripts and librettos. Numerous appendixes finish out the volume, along with a detailed index and bibliography. This volume is a robust addition to the collection of works covering Broadway musicals decade by decade. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.