Tracing the development of the musical on both Broadway and in Londons West End; this updated Companion continues to provide a broad and thorough overview of one of the liveliest and most popular forms of musical performance. Ordered chronologically; essays cover from the American musical of the nineteenth century through to the most recent productions; and the book also includes key information on singers; audience; critical reception; and traditions. All of the chapters from the first edition remain ndash; several in substantially updated forms ndash; and five completely new chapters have been added; covering: ethnic musicals in the United States; the European musical; Broadway musicals in revival and on television; the most recent shows; and a case study of the creation of the popular show Wicked based on interviews with its creators. The Companion also includes an extensive bibliography and photographs from key productions.
#990013 in eBooks 1991-11-01 1991-11-01File Name: B00FF9VNCA
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. First rate comedyBy Work-in-ProgressGogol would be proud of this adaptation. Hatcher greatly improved on the original. It is witty; naughty; and makes an almost-200-year-old text truly accessible to contemporary audiences. Note that some of the humour is quite adult.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Ginger Latimergreat script. Such an easy way to shop11 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A classic SatireBy Susan R MurrayIn Gogols time in Russia corruption was found in every arm of the government. Petty bureaucrats often pocketed money that was intended for public works. The play exposes backwater greed and corruption by showing how thoroughly ingrained bribery and lobbying are in to the culture of smalltime government officials.The plot of the play is quite ingenious. Khlestakov; a clerk of some sort; but on the whole an entirely unimportant person in the government; is in town at the tavern. Hes on the verge of getting kicked out since hes rung up a huge bill. Just when hes thinks alls lost the Lord provost shows up; pays his bill and start treating him like hes the cats pajamas. Slowly Khlestakov realizes that the towns people think hes an all important Government Inspector and are desperate to bribe wine and dine him so he gives a good report to Petersburg. This play is a critical social statement about corruption told though the humorous device of a farce. By making light of the faults of our leaders we may be able to raise awareness of the problem of corruption and effect measures that will lead to change.