Theatre as Human Action: An Introduction to Theatre Arts, Third Edition is designed for the college student who may be unacquainted with many plays and has seen a limited number of theatre productions. Focusing primarily on four plays, this textbook aims to inform the student about theatre arts, stimulate interest in the art form, lead to critical thinking about theatre, and prepare the student to be a more informed and critical theatregoer. The four plays central to this book are the tragedy Macbeth, the landmark African American drama A Raisin in the Sun, the American comedy classic You Can't Take It with You, and-new to this edition-the contemporary hip-hop musical Hamilton. At the beginning of the text, each play is described with plot synopses (and suggested video versions), and then these four representative works are referred to throughout the book. In addition to looking at both the theoretical and practical aspects of theatre arts-from the nature of theatre and drama to how it reflects society-the author also explains the processes that playwrights, actors, designers, directors, producers, and critics go through. In addition to Hamilton, this edition includes full color images throughout, as well as revised chapters and expanded and updated material on the technical aspects of theatre, coverage of children's theatre and British theatre, the role of drama as therapy, and the importance of diversity in theatre today. Structured into ten chapters, each looking at a major area or artist-and concluding with the audience and critics-the unique approach of Theatre as Human Action thoroughly addresses all of the major topics to be found in an introduction to theatre text.

Although the venue Off Broadway has long been the birthplace of innovative and popular musicals, there have been few studies of these influential works. Long-running champs, such as The Fantasticks and Little Shop of Horrors, are discussed in many books about American musicals, but what of the hundreds of other Off-Broadway musicals? In Off-Broadway Musicals since 1919, Thomas Hischak looks at more than 375 musicals, which are described, discussed, and analyzed, with particular attention given to their books, scores, performers, and creators. Presented chronologically and divided into chapters for each decade, beginning with the landmark musical Greenwich Village Follies (1919), the book culminates with the satiric The Toxic Avenger (2009). In this volume, any work of consequence is covered, especially if it was popular or influential, but also dozens of more obscure musicals are included to illustrate the depth and breadth of Off Broadway. Works that introduced an important artistic talent, from performers to songwriters, are looked at, and the selection represents the various trends and themes that made Off Broadway significant. In addition to essential data about each musical, the plot and score are described, the success (or lack of) is chronicled, and an opinionated commentary discusses the work's merits and influences on the musical theatre in general. The first book of its kind, this highly readable volume will please both the theatre scholar and the average musical theatre patron or fan.

Songs written for Disney productions over the decades have become a potent part of American popular culture. Since most Americans first discovered these songs in their youth, they hold a special place in one's consciousness. The Disney Song Encyclopedia describes and discusses hundreds of famous and not-so-famous songs from Disney films, television, Broadway, and theme parks from the 1930s to the present day. Over 900 songs are given individual entries and presented in alphabetical order. The songwriters and original singers are identified, as well as the source of the song and other venues in which it might have been used over the years. Notable recordings of the song are also listed. But most important, the song is described and what makes it memorable is discussed. This is not a reference list but a true encyclopedia of Disney songs. The book also contains a preface describing the criteria for selecting the songs, a glossary of song terms, a list of all the Disney songs and their sources, a songwriter's directory in which every song by each composer/lyricist is listed, a bibliography, a guide to recordings and DVDs of Disney productions, and an index of people and titles.

In this personal and opinionated book Tom Hischak takes a close look at what happens when a Broadway musical goes to Hollywood, and less often when Hollywood comes to Broadway. The musicals discussed range from The Desert Song (1927), the first sound film of a Broadway musical, to Chicago, the 2002 film made from the 1975 Broadway hit. Film musicals that became Broadway shows range from Lili (1953) to Never Gonna Dance (2003). The book assumes a basic familiarity with famous musicals (for example the plot of My Fair Lady is summed up in a sentence or two) but lesser known works are fully explained. One chapter looks at British musicals that were popular in New York and were later filmed with Hollywood connections. Also included is a Directory that gives credits, names, and songs for both the stage and screen version for all the musicals discussed. Appendices offer statistical data on musicals, and there is an extensive Bibliography.

Theatre as Human Action: An Introduction to Theatre Arts, Third Edition is designed for the college student who may be unacquainted with many plays and has seen a limited number of theatre productions. Focusing primarily on four plays, this textbook aims to inform the student about theatre arts, stimulate interest in the art form, lead to critical thinking about theatre, and prepare the student to be a more informed and critical theatregoer. The four plays central to this book are the tragedy Macbeth, the landmark African American drama A Raisin in the Sun, the American comedy classic You Can't Take It with You, and-new to this edition-the contemporary hip-hop musical Hamilton. At the beginning of the text, each play is described with plot synopses (and suggested video versions), and then these four representative works are referred to throughout the book. In addition to looking at both the theoretical and practical aspects of theatre arts-from the nature of theatre and drama to how it reflects society-the author also explains the processes that playwrights, actors, designers, directors, producers, and critics go through. In addition to Hamilton, this edition includes full color images throughout, as well as revised chapters and expanded and updated material on the technical aspects of theatre, coverage of children's theatre and British theatre, the role of drama as therapy, and the importance of diversity in theatre today. Structured into ten chapters, each looking at a major area or artist-and concluding with the audience and critics-the unique approach of Theatre as Human Action thoroughly addresses all of the major topics to be found in an introduction to theatre text.

From films ranging from An American in Paris and Flying Down to Rio to such Broadway landmarks as Oklahoma and West Side Story and television hits such as Cinderella and High School Musical, the American musical has thrilled audiences around the world. Now, in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical, readers have at last an engaging and authoritative reference to this highly popular genre-the only such book to cover stage, film, and television musicals in one volume. With more than two thousand entries, this book offers a wealth of information on musicals, performers, composers, lyricists, producers, choreographers, and much more. There are biographical entries on stars ranging from Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby to Mary Martin and Mae West as well as such contemporary show-stoppers as Nathan Lane, Savion Glover, and Kristin Chenowith; on composers ranging from Irving Berlin and George Gershwin to Richard Rodgers and Andrew Lloyd Webber; and on choreographers such as Bob Fosse, Tommy Tune, and Debbie Allen. The plays and films covered range from modern hits such as Mamma Mia! and Moulin Rouge to timeless classics such as Yankee Doodle Dandy and Show Boat. Also, many musicals written specifically for television are included, and many entries follow a work (such as Babes in Toyland) as it moves across genres, from stage, to film, to television. The Companion also includes cross references, a comprehensive listing of recommended recordings, and a useful chronological listing of all the musicals described in the book. Whether you are curious about Singin in the Rain or Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz or Grease, this well-researched and entertaining resource is the first place to turn for reliable information on virtually every aspect of the American musical. "Everything you ever wanted to know about the American musical-at your fingertips. What could be better, or more useful?" -Marvin Hamlisch "Kudos to Thomas Hischak for The Oxford Companion to the American Musical. Resources such as these are extremely important, not only as historic and academic records, but for future generations of artists who need to understand the legacy they have inherited." -Carol Channing

The first solo transatlantic flight. The release of the first talking picture. The invention of the jukebox. These are just a handful of milestones that occurred in one momentous year. In a decade of historic firsts, 1927 stands out as the peak year of the Roaring Twenties, a span of time in which dozens of significant events took place-in America and around the world. The economy was booming, the Jazz Age was in full swing, social mores were looser than ever, and the nation was celebrating new dances, new gadgets, and new heroes. In sports, records were broken and several champions in different fields thrilled fans with outstanding feats. In 1927: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of the Jazz Age's Greatest Year, Thomas S. Hischak provides a daily account of this pivotal period in history. Every major news event-on the national and international stage-is accounted for, from popular culture phenomenons to minor news items that would prove to be more important later. In addition to Charles Lindbergh's historic flight, the book recounts such events as the discovery of the Peking Man, the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, the Shanghai Massacre, and the Great Mississippi River Flood. From the world of entertainment-the debut of the classic musical Showboat and the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences-to headlines that gripped the country, this book focuses on a diverse and complicated year. Scattered throughout the book are interesting tidbits of statistics and pieces of information regarding life during this era. Touching on all the people, inventions, and discoveries that made these twelve months so special, 1927 will appeal to armchair historians everywhere.

For more than five decades, Woody Allen has been one of the most critically acclaimed talents in American cinema. Allen has been nominated for best director seven times by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences-winning for his 1977 film Annie Hall-and he has received more Oscar nominations for best screenplay than any other individual. But Allen's accomplishments are not limited to the big screen. In addition to writing and directing nearly fifty films-many of which he starred in-Allen has been a television writer, a stand-up comedian, a playwright, and the author of several short stories. The Woody Allen Encyclopedia is a compendium of information and commentary about every aspect of Allen as an artist. In this volume, Thomas S. Hischak details all of Allen's works for the cinema, television, and the stage, as well as all of his fiction; his comedy albums; his performances in other directors' movies; and even documentaries about him. In addition to such critically acclaimed films as Sleeper, Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters, Zelig, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Match Point, and Midnight in Paris, entries in this volume feature many of his collaborators, including actors, actresses, cinematographers, editors, designers, producers, and cowriters. This resource also highlights themes in Allen's work, the music he utilizes in his films, and his working methods, as well as box-office figures and awards. An extensive and comprehensive overview of this artist's remarkable career, The Woody Allen Encyclopedia is a must-have for film aficionados and will be of great interest to all readers, from professors and students to Allen's most devoted fans.

Thornton Wilder is one of America's greatest writers, the only author to win Pulitzer Prizes in two different categories-one in fiction and two in drama. Equally well known for his plays and novels, his unique and diverse body of work also includes essays, journals, lectures, and film and television scripts. In The Thornton Wilder Encyclopedia, Thomas S. Hischak exhaustively covers Wilder's life and extensive career. Entries not only contain every one of his novels, plays, and scripts, but also his letters, journals, and all other existing works by Wilder, published or unpublished. In addition, this valuable reference features entries on the individuals who worked with Wilder and friends and family members who were a great influence on him. With a biography of Wilder to introduce the work and a chronology and selected bibliography to augment the entries, The Thornton Wilder Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive reference available on one of America's greatest playwrights and finest novelists.

What do Babes in Arms, Beau Geste, Gunga Din, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Only Angels Have Wings, and Young Mr. Lincoln all have in common? They are all classic films released in the same year, but none of them received Academy Award nominations for best picture. Why? In that same year, Hollywood produced Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Ninotchka, as well as two of the most beloved films of all time, Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. In 1939 Hollywood created an unprecedented number of great films, a year that has yet to be surpassed in cinematic achievement. In 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year, Thomas S. Hischak looks at the most remarkable 365 days in film history. Arranged chronologically from January 1 to December 31, 1939, each entry covers one day and features major news events (national and international) as well as minor curiosities or news items that would prove to be more important in the future. The activities on Broadway, radio, the music business, literature, and other arts are included, as are noteworthy sporting events. Most significantly, this book provides a full description and commentary on the Hollywood movies that were released on that day. All 510 feature films from all the Hollywood studios are included in the book, along with notable shorts, cartoons, newsreels, and foreign releases. While others have looked at the movie highlights of this momentous year, Hischak evaluates Hollywood's entire screen output of 1939, from B pictures and serial installments to the international blockbusters-and every film in between. 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year is a captivating look at this phenomenon and will fascinate any film aficionado.

This wide-ranging guide introduces (or reintroduces) readers to movie musicals past and present, enabling them to experience the development of this uniquely American art form-and discover films they'll love. This comprehensive guide covers movie musicals from their introduction with the 1927 film The Jazz Singer through 2015 releases. In all, it describes 125 movies, opening up the world of this popular form of entertainment to preteens, teens, and adults alike. An introduction explains the advent of movie musicals; then, in keeping with the book's historical approach, films are presented by decade and year with overviews of advances during particular periods. In this way, the reader not only learns about individual films but can see the big picture of how movie musicals developed and changed over time. For each film covered, the guide offers basic facts-studio, director, songwriters, actors, etc.-as well as a brief plot synopsis. Each entry also offers an explanation of why the movie is noteworthy, how popular it was or wasn't, and the influence the film might have had on later musicals. Sidebars offering brief biographies of important artists appear throughout the book. Shows how the genre developed over time, from the 1920s to the present Shares fascinating insights about musicals with which the reader is already familiar Offers information on many lesser-known musicals Helps readers find film musicals that are similar to those they know and like Introduces important performers, directors, and songwriters Includes photographic stills from famous movie musicals

For more than a century, original music has been composed for the cinema. From the early days when live music accompanied silent films to the present in which a composer can draw upon a full orchestra or a lone synthesizer to embody a composition, music has been an integral element of most films. By the late 1930s, movie studios had established music departments, and some of the greatest names in film music emerged during Hollywood's Golden Age, including Alfred Newman, Max Steiner, Dimitri Tiomkin, and Bernard Herrmann. Over the decades, other creators of screen music offered additional memorable scores, and some composers-such as Henry Mancini, Randy Newman, and John Williams-have become household names. The Encyclopedia of Film Composers features entries on more than 250 movie composers from around the world. It not only provides facts about these artists but also explains what makes each composer notable and discusses his or her music in detail. Each entry includes *Biographical material *Important dates *Career highlights *Analysis of the composer's musical style *Complete list of movie credits This book brings recognition to the many men and women who have written music for movies over the past one hundred years. In addition to composers from the United States and Great Britain, artists from dozens of other countries are also represented. A rich resource of movie music history, The Encyclopedia of Film Composers will be of interest to fans of cinema in general as well as those who want to learn more about the many talented individuals who have created memorable scores.

As the popularity of film grew and audiences demanded longer stories, Hollywood began borrowing plots as well as actors and directors from Broadway - some of these play-to-films were triumphs and others were inexplicable duds. This reference work is an annotated guide to American stage productions remade for film and television, with works ranging from late 19th-century American plays and musicals, through silent and sound films, to made-for-video productions by PBS, A&E, HBO, and others. Each alphabetically listed entry provides complete credits for the play or musical: date, theatre, playwright, cast (with characters) and crew, length of run, along with choreographer, song titles, and authors of the score where available. The screen versions follow, listing alternate titles, date, studio, screenwriter, cast (with characters), director, and producer. Each entry concludes with detailed commentary on the productions; it describes what changes occurred between the formats, determines the strengths and weaknesses of each, judges the success of the transition, and describes how the end product was received. A bibliography and name and title indexes complete this cross-referenced work.

Jerome Kern (1885-1945) is considered one of the most versatile and influential of all American theatre and film composers. His pioneer work in developing a truly American musical sound inspired many of the great songwriters of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, and his songs include dozens of beloved standards still heard today, such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "The Way You Look Tonight." The Jerome Kern Encyclopedia consists of entries on people, theatre and film musicals, songs, subjects, and themes related to the composer. Not only are all of Kern's stage and screen projects from 1904 to 1946 covered, but there are also entries on all the major librettists and lyricists with whom he worked, as well as producers, directors, actors, and other individuals who figured prominently in his career. Approximately 100 of Kern's most important songs are discussed, and other entries address awards, collaborations, working methods, song styles, and other related subjects. The encyclopedia also includes a brief biography of Kern, a chronology of his life and work, and appendices on recordings, interpolations, revivals, and remakes. The most complete work on one of America's greatest composers, this fascinating, readable, and extensive look at Kern will appeal to theatregoers, movie musical fans, students, teachers, and professionals in musical theatre.

Still the most influential and popular songwriting team in the history of the American Musical Theatre, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein represent Broadway musicals at their finest. The team revolutionized the musical play with Oklahoma! in 1943 and then went on to explore territory never put on the musical stage before in such beloved shows as Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. The team also worked in film, as with State Fair, and in the new medium of television, with Cinderella. For the first time, the lives, careers, works, songs, and themes of Rodgers and Hammerstein have been gathered together in an encyclopedia that covers the many talents of these men. In addition to their plays and films together, every work that each man did with other collaborators is also discussed. Hundreds of their songs are described, and there are entries on the many actors, directors, and other creative artists who they worked with. A complete list of awards, recordings, and books about the team are included, as well as a chronology of everything either man wrote. But The Rodgers and Hammerstein Encyclopedia is not just about facts. It explains their work, explores themes in their musicals, and illustrates why they remain a driving force in the American Theatre. This is the first encyclpoedia to look specifically at the careers and works of Rodgers and Hammerstein, covering all their musicals together for stage, screen and televsion, but also everything they wrote with others. The purpose is to create a comprehensive guide to the American Musical Theatres foremost collaboration. The encyclopedia is (1) comprehensve, describing the works, the people involved in thoseworks, and many of their famous songs; ( 2) up-to-date, including the most recent revivals of their works and new recordings of their scores; and (3) easy to use, being alphabetically arranged with cross-reference listings, chronological lists, lists of awards and recordings, and bibliographic information for further reading.

A companion book to author Thomas Hischak's earlier volume Enter the Players: New York Stage Actors in the 20th Century (Scarecrow Press, 2003), Enter the Playmakers: Directors and Choreographers on the New York Stage explores the lives and careers of over three hundred directors and choreographers who worked in the New York theatre. Famous artists like Elia Kazan and Jerome Robbins are featured alongside lesser known or new talents, all of whom have contributed to the American theatre. A biographical sketch outlines the life and career of each director and choreographer, explaining their strengths and talents and what makes them unique. This is followed by a chronological listing of every play or musical that the artist staged in New York, including details such as dates, venue (Broadway, Off Broadway, etc.) and whether the production was a new work or a revival. Presenting artists from the mid-18th century up through current favorites like Daniel Sullivan, Susan Stroman, Doug Hughes, and Kathleen Marshall, the book includes traditionalists (like Harold Clurman and Gower Champion), avant-garde artists (Elizabeth LeCompte and Richard Foreman), and directors and choreographers noted for various styles, genres, and theatre movements. Internationally recognized artists, such as Max Reinhardt and Peter Brook, whose productions had an impact on the New York theatre are also included. By listing all of the artist's New York credits, each entry gives a vivid picture of the stage career of these important directors and choreographers.

Many books have been written about Tin Pan Alley--the colloquial name assigned to popular music before the advent of rock 'n' roll--yet little is available about the individual songs defining this enormously significant style of American music. This encyclopedia of over 1,200 songs written from the middle of the 19th century through the 1950s provides information and commentary on the music embraced by the American public.

No other single volume contains as much information on the subject. Author Thomas Hischak provides an exhaustive yet highly readable guide to the songs, their periods, their styles, and their performers. His study explains in layman's language how this music survived over time, and how it came to play such an influential role in American popular culture. Ideal for researchers and browsers alike, this encyclopedia is a long overdue examination of an American musical institution.

These songs were not written for stage or screen, but for saloons, singalongs, dance orchestras, sheet music, piano player rolls, recordings, nightclubs, concerts, and radio broadcasts. They colored the fabric of American popular culture for centuries, from early American folk songs to Civil War melodies, 19th-century sentimental ballads, minstrel songs, ragtime, and jazz.

Many books have been written about Tin Pan Alley--the colloquial name assigned to popular music before the advent of rock 'n' roll--yet little is available about the individual songs defining this enormously significant style of American music. This encyclopedia of over 1,200 songs written from the middle of the 19th century through the 1950s provides information and commentary on the music embraced by the American public.

No other single volume contains as much information on the subject. Author Thomas Hischak provides an exhaustive yet highly readable guide to the songs, their periods, their styles, and their performers. His study explains in layman's language how this music survived over time, and how it came to play such an influential role in American popular culture. Ideal for researchers and browsers alike, this encyclopedia is a long overdue examination of an American musical institution.

These songs were not written for stage or screen, but for saloons, singalongs, dance orchestras, sheet music, piano player rolls, recordings, nightclubs, concerts, and radio broadcasts. They colored the fabric of American popular culture for centuries, from early American folk songs to Civil War melodies, 19th-century sentimental ballads, minstrel songs, ragtime, and jazz.

This encyclopedic reference to the American movie musical identifies and describes the musicals and the artists who made them. Film entries range from the legendary "The" "Jazz" "Singer" in 1927 to "Fantasia" "2000." Artists ranging from Gene Kelly to Elvis Presley, Busby Berkeley, and John Travolta are included, as are musicians as varied as Irving Berlin, Paul Williams, and the Beatles. Entries also detail animated musicals, studios, perettas, rock documentaries, sequels and remakes, and dance movies.

As a reference work or as a book for browsing, this encyclopedia serves as a valuable companion to "Stage It with Music: An Encyclopedic Guide to the American Musical Theatre" (Greenwood, 1993) and will appeal to film scholars and fans alike. Information is cross referenced throughout. A chronological list of musicals and an appendix of Academy Award-winning musicals are included.

Volume Four of the distinguished American Theatre: A Chronicle of Comedy and Drama series offers a thorough, candid, and fascinating look at the theatre in New York during the last decades of the twentieth century.

Following the successful, "The American Musical Theatre Song Encyclopedia" (Greenwood, 1995), this new encyclopedia reviews in-depth individual songs written for the American musical film over the past seventy years. Over 1,800 songs from over 500 musical films are identified and described. In addition to detailing the songs' authors, original singers, and initial film appearances, the encyclopedia also explains how the songs were used in the film, lists subsequent film and stage appearances of the songs, and notes memorable recordings. From Jolson to Elvis, operetta to rock musicals, and Irving Berlin to the Beatles, the comprehensive scope of this work gathers a wealth of information about film musical songs not readily available elsewhere.

The combination of accurate, thoroughly researched information, commentary, and anecdotal background will appeal to both film scholars and fans. Numerous indexes for easy reference include a list of alternate song titles, famous movie songs from other sources, best song Oscars, Oscar-winning film musicals, and a list of film musicals from 1927 through 1998. A bibliography completes this important reference tool and provides helpful sources for further research.

As a concise study of the American theatre, this work explores the past and present by looking at major aspects of theatregoing in America over the past 250 years. Diverse topics include plays On and Off Broadway, ticket prices, critics, playwrights, awards, musicals, actors, theatre groups and organizations, and theatre publications. The Almanac is both a reference work and a very personal browsing book. It is lively and highly readable, yet scholarly with commentary, suggestions for further reading, and a thorough index. This work will be of interest to scholars, students, and theatregoers in general. The Almanac provides an interesting collection of facts, presents personal commentary on trends in theatre, puts contemporary theatre in the context of the past, and serves as both a browsing book and a reference work. Material is presented by subject matter. The range is very wide, but the book often focuses on details, interesting trivia, and little-known facts. Like an eccentric collector who arranges his personal museum of art in his own unique way, The Theatregoers Almanac takes the reader on a personal and distinctive tour of the American theatre.

The first encyclopedia of theatre songs from Broadway shows ranging from The Black Crook (1866) to the 1994 Tony Award-winning Passion, this handy guide features over 1,800 songs from over 500 musicals. It gives such information as the songs' authors, original performers, and dates and history of recordings. Each song is described and briefly analyzed, explaining how the song fit in the original production and what is notable about its music, lyrics, and presentation. Thoroughly indexed by song title, show, authors, and performers. Of interest to scholars, students, and fans alike. The musical theatre song is conceived, written, and produced as part of a whole. While it may eventually stand on its own and join the ranks of popular hits, its immediate purpose is clear: it must "work" in the show. This book is about how hundreds of famous and not-so-famous songs have functioned in the American musical. In addition to identifying the authors and the source of the song, it hopes to explain the song: what kind of song it is, what it is about, what purpose it has in the show, as well as who originally sang it, what the song's history is, and what may be unique about this particular number. It is a book about songs as little pieces of playwriting for the musical theatre. The song entries are presented alphabetically, but the Musicals Listing at the end of the work includes all the songs discussed from a particular show.

A one-stop, up-to-date source for information on the history of the American musical theatre, Stage It with Music packs an astonishing quantity and variety of facts as well as insights and anecdotes into a convenient dictionary format. Coverage extends from the genre's nineteenth century beginnings to the present day, from The Black Crook (1866) to Jelly's Last Jam (1992). Included are entries on over 300 individual shows, musical series, performers, composers, lyricists, librettists, directors, designers, music directors, orchestrators, choreographers, producers, producing companies and other theatrical institutions, and on other subjects and genres relating to musical theatre. Among the latter are entries on British Imports, Dance in Musicals, Flop Musicals, Locations of Musicals, Operetta, Pastiche Musicals, and Tony Awards. As fascinating as its subject, Stage It with Music will serve the researcher seeking a specific fact, but he or she may find it hard to stop there. Extensive cross-referencing will lead to masses of related material, and most researchers will not be able to resist browsing well beyond the original quest. Thoroughly indexed, the volume also includes a chronology of the musicals covered as separate entries and a bibliography of general works on musical theatre.