The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.16 (861 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0374536899 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-11-05 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
In that capacity he has overseen fifty shows, for some of which he adapted the scripts. He has been involved in dozens of productions presented by Jujamcyn since 1987, including multiple Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winners, from City of Angels to Angels in America. Jack Viertel is the senior vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters, which owns and operates five
Fascinating Jon Hunt Jack Viertel's new book, "The Secret Life of the American Musical" is a stunningly informative book about the structure and success (or lack thereof) of modern day musicals. In a compelling style, the author takes us through a performance from "Overture" to "Curtain Call" and describes in great detail how every aspect of a musical works. His experience in the world of musicals gives him credence that few other writers would be able to claim.The book is set in a chron. Love of the theatre permeates every page! Jack Viertel knows his shstuff. As a teacher of musical theatre technique and musical theatre history for more than 30 years, I can see through the charlatans who write books like this. And there are a good number of them. Therefore, it was a total joy to read the real goods from someone who has been a part of that very history for decades. Without being overly anecdotal and chatty, as some of these books tend to be, Mr. Viertel shares insights into the construction . Loved it! I'm a big Broadway fan and go to theater often. The Secret Life of the American Musical was a great read. It's obvious that Mr. Viertel really knows and loves his subject matter. It's written in a conversational tone and I found myself having to limit myself to a chapter a day because when I first received the book I was afraid I would finish it in two-three days and I wanted to really savor it because I was enjoying it so much. In addition to being thoroughly entert
He invents a way of thinking about musicals that is utterly fresh and insightful, and while doing so he makes us remember exactly why we love them so muchby somehow re-creating the overwhelming, heart-stopping feeling we had when we were likely ten years old and fell in love with them the second our first overture began. Viertel combines a scholarly approach with a light touch that enables us to see anew familiar songs and musical theater moments we'd long taken for granted." The New York Times Book Review"Viertel’s knowledgeable, engaging blueprint of the Broadway musical framework is instructive fun for cognoscenti and general readers alike." The Washington Post"A lively manual for writers and public alike on how the songs suit the story and how the story needs the songs." The Wall Stre
A New York Times BestsellerFor almost a century, Americans have been losing their hearts and losing their minds in an insatiable love affair with the American musical. The Secret Life of the American Musical makes you feel as though you’ve been there in the rehearsal room, in the front row of the theater, and in the working offices of theater owners and producers as they pursue their own love affair with that rare and elusive beastthe Broadway hit.. But what, exactly, is a musical?In The Secret Life of the American Musical, Jack Viertel takes them apart, puts them back together, sings their praises, marvels at their unflagging inventiveness, and occasionally despairs over their more embarrassing shortcomings. It often begins in childhood in a darkened theater, grows into something more serious for high school actors, and reaches its passionate zenith when it comes time for love, marriage, and children, who will start the cycle all over again. Americans invented musicals. The ultimate insider, Viertel has spent three decades on Broadway, working on dozens of shows old and new as a conceiver, producer, dramatur