It is 150 years since Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables was first published. However, for the last 25 or so, the poignant saga of Jean Valjean, a villain to some, but a saviour to others, set in France during the early years of the nineteenth century, has become one of the world's most popular musicals. In Les Miserables: The Official Archives, the reader can find out how the musical came to life - the trials and tribulations of turning it from the initial concept into a thrilling musical extravaganza - and how the new film version starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, and directed by the Oscar-winning Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) has emerged from the show that has been seen by over 55 million people worldwide. To bring this fascinating story to life, the book also contains at least 15 facsimiles that highlight key moments in the creation of Les Miserables, both on stage and on the screen. Special Items Include: * Original costume sketches. * Annotated scripts. * Original music scores and librettos. * Film screenplay extracts and anniversary mementoes.

The Book of Broadway Musical Debates, Disputes and Disagreements is purposely meant to start arguments and to settle them. Broadway musical fans won't always agree with the conclusions musical theater judge Peter Filichia reaches, but the best part of any drama is the conflict. Among lovers of musical theater, opinions are never in short supply, and Filichia addresses the most dividing questions and opinions in one book. What will you say when he asks, "What is the greatest opening number of a Broadway musical?" Will your answer be "The Circle of Life" from The Lion King, "Heaven on Their Minds" from Jesus Christ Superstar, or "Beautiful Girls" from Follies? Will you agree with his answer to "Whose Broadway performance in a musical was later best captured on film?" Did you immediately think of Robert Preston in The Music Man or Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl? More questions that will add to the fire include "What song from a musical is the most beloved?" and "What's the worst song that a Broadway musical ever inflicted on us?" They're all in The Book of Broadway Musical Debates, Disputes and Disagreements. Let the arguments begin!

Everyone has heard the songs from The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The stage show was a roaring success in New York and London, and the much-loved feature film, directed by Hollywood veteran Robert Wise, continues to be a staple of television schedules 50 years after its release in 1965. In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, Paul Simpson explores the incredible story of the Von Trapp family and their escape from the Third Reich in all its incarnations, from real-life adventure, to book, to stage, to award-winning film to cultural phenomenon. He discusses the stage show, the many differences that were incorporated into the fictionalisation of the tale, and how that story was brought to the screen. He also looks at the numerous other ways in which the Von Trapp's story has been told, including the two West German movies from the 1950s and the extensive forty-part Japanese anime series from the 1990s, to explain why the story of the Von Trapp family has appealed to so many generations. Praise for A Brief Guide to Stephen King: 'The best book about King and his work I have ever read' Books Monthly

From television shows like Glee and Smash to the phenomenon of the Broadway show Hamilton, musical theatre has never been more popular. In So You Want to Sing Musical Theatre, Updated and Expanded Edition, Broadway vocal coach Amanda Flynn provides an in-depth look at the skills needed to successfully sing and teach this repertoire. Fully updated to meet the current needs of the profession, this new edition covers a vast array of topics with even deeper discussion: musical theatre history; repertoire; genres used in productions; basic singing voice science; vocal health; audio equipment and microphones; vocal production of musical theatre sounds; acting, dancing, and other movement; working with kids; and auditioning at all levels. The book also includes profiles of Broadway singers that explores their training, methods of vocal upkeep, and advice for singers and teachers. The So You Want to Sing series is produced in partnership with the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Please visit www.nats.org to access style-specific exercises, audio and video files, and additional resources.

Drawing on the history and development of Musical Theatre, this engaging workbook provides a comprehensive overview of the nuts and bolts of the discipline. Introducing students to the basics of the theory and history of musical theatre, it covers all four elements of any Musical Theatre course: dance, music, acting and performing. Acting as a guide through the entire process of preparing material for performance, this essential companion presents a number of stimulating exercises, questions, activities and topics for discussion to aid personal and professional development. This clear, comprehensive workbook is an ideal core text for Musical Theatre students of all levels. Packed with help, ideas and guidance for teaching, it will also appeal to directors and instructors.

This is a unique fusion of drama and music, which has become especially important during the past fifty years. Peter Riddle provides us with a detailed exploration of the evolution and development of this form of music theatre in North America. The book traces the origins of music theatre from its eighteenth-century European roots to the present. Highlights include an exploration of the minstrel show, burlesque, and the revue along with discussions about Kern and Hammerstein's "Show Boat", Cole Porter, the Gershwin Brothers, Rodgers and Hart, Oklahoma, Richard Rogers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Weber.