Full-page newspaper ads announced the date. Reserved seats went on sale at premium prices. Audience members dressed up and arrived early to peruse the program during the overture that preceded the curtain's rise. And when the show began, it was-a rather disappointing film musical. In Roadshow!, film historian Matthew Kennedy tells the fascinating story of the downfall of the big-screen musical in the late 1960s. It is a tale of revolutionary cultural change, business transformation, and artistic missteps, all of which led to the obsolescence of the roadshow, a marketing extravaganza designed to make a movie opening in a regional city seem like a Broadway premier. Ironically, the Hollywood musical suffered from unexpected success. Facing doom after its bygone heyday, it suddenly broke box-office records with three rapid-fire successes in 1964 and 1965: Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, and The Sound of Music. Studios rushed to catch the wave, but everything went wrong. Kennedy takes readers inside the making of such movies as Hello, Dolly! and Man of La Mancha, showing how corporate management imposed financial pressures that led to poor artistic decisions-for example, the casting of established stars regardless of vocal or dancing talent (such as Clint Eastwood in Paint Your Wagon). And Kennedy explores the impact of profound social, political, and cultural change. The traditional-sounding Camelot and Doctor Dolittle were released in the same year as Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, representing a vast gulf in taste. The artifice of musicals seemed outdated to baby boomers who grew up with the Cuban missile crisis, the Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations, race riots, and the Vietnam War. From Julie Andrews to Barbra Streisand, from Fred Astaire to Rock Hudson, Roadshow! offers a brilliant, gripping history of film musicals and their changing place in our culture.

If you love THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and LES MISERABLES, you will enjoy this fascinating analysis of how the three musicals reflect the basic teachings of the Bible. Dr. Jones is a Harvard PhD and a professor emeritus of Spanish language and literature, as well as a novelist, humor columnist, biographer, the author of a widely-adopted textbook, a cartoonist and a graphic artist. She taught "What is Love?" for several years in the adult Sunday School program at her church, and claims she is still trying to get to the bottom of it all. She looks to the ancient Greeks, the 12th-century troubadours, the 19th century Romantics, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, Michael Green, and to the rest of God's extended family to guide her along the way. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING: Sonia Jones is a gifted author and teacher who beautifully presents and contrasts the dramatic love stories of Man of La Mancha, The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables with the greatest love story of all from the Bible. She explores the various meanings of love, and gives deep insight into the hearts of the characters involved and the resulting dramas that unfold. If you love these classic writings and musicals, this study will add to your understanding and appreciation. --Roma Angus, choir director, Halifax, Nova Scotia

First published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Michael Ball is more than a Laurence Olivier Award winner and multiplatinum recording artist; he holds the unique status of being Britain's foremost musical theatre actor. Testimony to his success is the huge cult following he has built ...not least among theatre audiences. From his debut in London's West End, with a superb performance in the original 1985 cast of Les Miserables, to unqualified acclaim in Aspects Of Love, Passion, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and more recently in Hairspray and Sweeney Todd. Michael's silky smooth voice and boyish charms have seduced audiences everywhere, a popularity that has led to more than 15 sought-after solo albums and the hit single 'Love Changes Everything'. Television and radio have not been slow in courting his talents, from his first flirtation with the small screen and a rather embarrassing appearance in the ITV soap Coronation Street to hosting his own successful chat shows. He even represented Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992. Andrew Lloyd Webber, understated as ever, joked: 'He's a top man at what he does - and he has a rather nice taste in Savile Row suits.' But there is so much more to Michael than curly-haired smiles and smartly-dressed dulcet tones. In this first ever biography of the star, author Willie Robertson provides a comprehensive and compelling insight into the legend that is Michael Ball. A must read for any fan!

This wide-ranging, two-volume encyclopedia of musicals old and new will captivate young fans-and prove invaluable to those contemplating staging a musical production. Written with high school students in mind, The World of Musicals: An Encyclopedia of Stage, Screen, and Song encompasses not only Broadway and film musicals, but also made-for-television musicals, a genre that has been largely ignored. The two volumes cover significant musicals in easily accessible entries that offer both useful information and fun facts. Each entry lists the work's writers, composers, directors, choreographers, and cast, and includes a song list, a synopsis, and descriptions of the original production and important revivals or remakes. Biographical entries share the stories of some of the brightest and most celebrated talents in the business. The encyclopedia will undoubtedly ignite and feed student interest in musical theatre. At the same time, it will prove a wonderful resource for teachers or community theatre directors charged with selecting and producing shows. In fact, anyone interested in theatre, film, television, or music will be fascinated by the work's tantalizing bits of historical and theatre trivia. Offers 700 alphabetically arranged entries related to musicals in theatre, film, and television Spans the history of musical theatre from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in the late 1800s to the present Concentrates on musicals that are historically important and/or of mainstream interest, as well as those that might be examined in a high school music, music history, or theatre class Features a teacher-friendly guide to the most popular musicals performed by high schools, discussing casting/characters, costume needs, notes on the difficulty of the music, and more Includes a selected bibliography, discography, and videography as well as a chronology capturing key events in the history of the musical

Those who have lived - not just witnessed - the efflorescence of a pivotal culture moment never see the world through veiled eyes again. Jimmy Lyons was there, devising wholly original inventions of words and music while the Beats, the neo-folk troubadours, the post-bop jazz shooting stars, and the tie-dyed psychedelic rockers were scorching through the underbrush and opening new paths of creativity as alternatives to the increasingly bottom line-driven mainstream. Lyons, though, wasn't content to find a niche in one countercultural movement or another. He kept moving, observing, and writing new poems, stories, and songs. But he never gave up on the wry sophistication of the classic American popular song. Indeed, he has dedicated himself to infusing the same hallowed forms perfected by Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, and others, with his singular fantasias of ingeniously colored and textured wordplay.

These plays have a subtext only Lyons can provide, derived from what he calls the "rituals of the road" and the "the circular rhythms" of the race track, the beats and pulses of everyday American life that rarely raise a ripple on the surface of American culture. Lyons hears the screams and dreams of his countrymen and woman; from them he creates new modes of expression. He has been changed by each of his open-hearted an open-eared encounters, and this body of work is his way of making those changes sing and swing. - Derk Richardson

Theatre is often said to offer unique insights into the nature of reality, but this obscures the reality of theatre itself. In Real Theatre, Paul Rae takes a joined-up approach to the realities of theatre to explain why performances take the forms they do, and what effects they have. Drawing on examples ranging from Phantom of the Opera and Danny Boyle's Frankenstein, to the performances of the Wooster Group and arthouse director Tsai Ming-liang, he shows how apparently discrete theatrical events emerge from dynamic and often unpredictable social, technical and institutional assemblages. These events then enter a process of cultural circulation that, as Rae explains, takes many forms: fleeting conversations, the mercurial careers of theatrical characters and the composite personae of actors, and high-profile products like the Hollywood movie Birdman. The result is a real theatre that speaks of, and to, the idiosyncratic and cumulative experience of every theatre participant.

In his book "Coffee Crazy," "Robert Galinsky" captures the communal nature of what grabbing a cup of coffee means. Crowdsourced from the mindset of an entire rabid fanbase, Galinsky encapsulates the passion of generations of coffee lovers in a single cup-sized book that can be enjoyed with a cuppa of your favorite blend.

"Coffee Crazy" taps into the current zeitgeist and excitement associated with social media and the coffee frenzy that has fueled global coffee culture. From families, foodies, entrepreneurs, celebrities, corporate executives, to thought leaders, this book explores the millions of personalities inspired by caffeine and crema to dream about the next big idea in corporate break rooms, cafes, restaurants, or home dining rooms. It shows that coffee can be a medium for powerful positive social interactions and aspirations, and a magnificent and intimate way to connect and relate to others.

"Coffee Crazy" is part inspirational reading, part anecdotal literature that can act as great coffee conversation, and part casual humor or coffee talk that is designed towards personal growth. It is also a book that you won't put down until you've read every last word... Good to the last drop

Robert Galinsky's book shows just how big coffee has become in modern culture. It is a passionate response from coffee lovers as well as the coffee industry, as they rally around their beloved beverage. It is a book you can read over and over, and still find something new and insightful every time. Buy someone a cup of coffee (and "Coffee Crazy") and connect with them today

Whether you're looking to expand your horizons about coffee, deepen your appreciation for the historical beverage, or understand how coffee can be that one element that brings people together, "Coffee Crazy" is the right book for coffee lovers and coffee enthusiasts.

"Coffee Crazy" is part of the THiNKaha series whose slim and handy books contain 140 well-thought-out quotes (tweets/ahas).

"Hope Rises From The Ashes..."

No one planned to stay in the Porcupine Camp. All anyone hoped for was to find gold fast and get on the next train home. But when the Great Fire of 1911 strikes, something strange happens, and the people of the Porcupine Camp discover that gold isn't only found in the ground...

... It is found in each other.

Based on true events that occurred during the Porcupine Gold Rush of the early 20th century, Heart of Gold is a new musical theatre creation exploring the romance, adventure, and hope that is synonymous with Canadian History. Reviews from the amateur premiere: "Heart of Gold an 'amazing' production" By Wayne Snider, The Daily Press (Timmins)

..".The story of the community bouncing back from the Great Fire of 1911 needed to be told in a manner that carried the audience through a range of emotions - from sorrow and fear to laughter and joy... It did, allowing the performance to flow north as naturally as the Porcupine River.

... the final production is absolutely amazing.

Right from the beginning - where after the initial gold discovery, wave after wave of various immigrant groups dance onto the stage in search of the same prize - to the end where formal rivals become a loving, caring community, the audience is hooked..."

"The story, written by Laureen Kuhl, introduces us to characters that the audience cares about from the beginning. It provides a very human story - mixing romance and greed together - that not only succeeds in telling the story of the Great Fire, but is truly entertaining.

There are great moments of laughter, such as when all the guys are teasing the would-be womanizing francophone Andre LeRoux (superbly portrayed by Thomas Vezina) to when Andre is poking fun at the best attempts to read French by leading lady Caroline Mayben-Flowers (an admirable performance by Catarina Ciccone). These are pioneer scenes that one could picture taking place today - making the historic tale relatable to a modern audience.

The music... adds an entire new dimension to the story of Timmins. Individual tunes like Come On Come to the Porcupine and Gold Runs Down in Rivers could easily stand on their own. But as a key part of the story, it helps form the cultural mosaic that is Heart of Gold...."

"The audience connects with Heart of Gold on all levels.

There was a real sense of awe and fright when it was realized the Great Fire was bearing down on the pioneer community..."

As characters mourn the loss of life on stage, the audience shares the emotional experience. It was one of the most powerful theatrical moments ever seen on stage in Timmins.

Overall, the cultural Avengers of Timmins have assembled one truly magical, creative and entertaining showpiece..." Link: http: //www.timminspress.com/2012/06/10/heart-of-gold-an-amazing-production

"It was a masterful piece..." "the show felt real. "From Blogger Naomi: "

..". (It) "made you feel as though you were peaking in through a window back in 1911..."

"We had the opportunity to feel fear, hatred, love, hope, joy, mourning and relief over the course of the play and it was a masterful piece performed from the heart to celebrate this wonderful community.

What a wonderful show- I only wish I was able to stay in town to enjoy it again " Link: http: //windingdownwithnaomi.blogspot.ca

"From Anthony Roberts at the Timmins Daily Press: "

..". What a treat. Well done. It deserves a TIMMINS OSCAR. A night to remember." Link: http: //www.timminspress.com/2012/06/11/heart-of-gold-musical

Vocal ScoreMusic from Wonderful Town has been out of print for more than 40 years, so we are very proud to present this new edition of the brilliant musical comedy currently running in an acclaimed Broadway revival The music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green tell the story of two sisters who move from Ohio to Greenwich Village. After many hardships of adjustment, they find New York to be a "Wonderful Town." The original run of the show opened in 1953 and starred Rosalind Russell, and the Broadway revival, which opened on November 23, 2003, stars Donna Murphy. The cast recording is being released by DRG Records. Our Vocal Score includes all of the music from the musical.