Customer Reviews

Strike Up the Band: A New History of Musical Theatre

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not going to wax poetic but this is the PERFECT textbook for my high school musical theatre class. It is written at a level that is accessible to students but doesn't pander. It is well researched and informative but still includes occasional editorial comments that remind us that the author is human and really does have a personality. I appreciate the fact that the book is relatively short and will not overwhelm someone who just picks it up and wants to travel chronologically through the history of the American musical. Obviously, Miller's book is not exhaustive and he admits this up front. He doesn't waste time talking about musicals that weren't socially or theatrically important or influential (The Sound of Music) but also touches on a few groundbreaking but relatively underrated shows like Little Johnny Jones. The best thing about this book is that Miller takes a decade like the 1940s (arguably one of the most rich and influential periods in musical theatre) and gives us the basics in fifteen pages. But he hits ALL the high points. That book is such a great jumping off point for so many great discussions because Miller really does a good job showing the *development* of musical theatre and its connectivity to their contemporaneous social and political conditions. Overall, this is just a refreshing and sophisticated rendering of musical theatre that doesn't get bogged down in trivialities or tangents. Miller keeps moving and consequently, keeps us looking forward. THANK YOU!

My ONLY two complaints... Miller considers Porgy and Bess an opera and therefore omits it entirely. Also, I wish there was a hardcover edition.... as a textbook, the paperbacks will not stand up well to the abuse of high school students :)

I have read and enjoyed Scott Miller's past books and "Strike Up the Band" is a worthy addition to his output (though I have to admit that I have only read about three-fourths as of this writing). Miller writes interestingly and informatively about composers, works and, especially, helps the reader relate the musical art form to the social and political environment that its history mirrors. I plan to use the book as a text for a class I will be teaching next year.


The above notwithstanding, I did see evidence of sloppy editing, e.g. "Juilliard" not "Julliard"; "Antonio" not "Anthony" Banderas" and vocal "cords" not "chords"), and I regret that my students will not have the benefit of a bibliography with which to expand their scholarly curiosity.

A fascinating look at the history of musical theater, written in easy prose, and full of insight. I read it cover to cover.

This is a very clever and insightful distilled overview, and as a performer I appreciate his experience as a performer, director and producer all of which informs his deep academic research. He has a strong, unapologetic author's viewpoint which makes for more interesting reading.

Starting with the first page entitled, "The Overture", this book instantly captures your interest and compels you to read on to find out what each consecutive chapter contains. Scott Miller's words make every era, from the early 1900's up to the present time, an exciting journey through the history of musical theatre. I liked the fact that he integrated into his book what was going on in the world at the time the musicals were produced. Reading about my old favorites, "Oklahoma", "The King and I" and "South Pacific" was pure fun, but learning about one of the newer musicals, "Urinetown", was not only fun, but enlightening. I've read all his previous books, but this one tops them all!

Reading this book has pointed me to multiple excellent shows I wouldn't have been aware of otherwise. It is an information-packed read and yet a light and entertaining one. I espcially admire the commitment to presenting shows that were important shows even if they didn't do well on Broadway or even play on Broadway. For even the most seasoned theater folks, some chapter in this book (nicely organized by decade, by the way) will open up your world and show you something you didn't know.

If you are looking for an objective history of American musical theater this is not the book for you in my humble opinion. The author averages about 10 pages per decade for the period from 1900 through 1960 & 20+ pages per decade thereafter. Further, the author displays a clear Liberal bias which has become all too common among Harvard faculty & graduates since the end of WWII. As a result of that bias he devotes far greater attention to works he considers to be politically correct than he does to most other shows. All in all, I believe this book will & probably does have very limited appeal.

Great turn-around time. Arrived quickly and in great condition. Would buy from them again!!

Thanks!!