Word Crazy: Broadway Lyricists from Cohan to Sondheim [Hardcover]

Thomas S. Hischak (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275938492 | ISBN-13: 978-0275938499 | Publication Date: May 30, 1991

This volume surveys the development of the American musical during the 20th century by focusing on one of the most important yet least recognized members of the creative team: the lyricist. From George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin through Oscar Hammerstein II, Alan Jay Lerner, Ira Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, and others, Word Crazy examines both well-known and obscure writers who have shaped one of America's most beloved theatrical forms. The author offers an overview of each lyricist's career and works and evaluates his or her strengths, weaknesses, patterns, temperament, and personal vision. The result is an unusual critical history of the Broadway musical that will be of significant interest to students of the theatre as well as to anyone who wishes to learn more about the unique craft of the theatre lyricist. Beginning with George M. Cohan, the American theatre's first important lyricist, and continuing up into the 1980s, the book presents an overall history of the musical theatre during this century. Hischak explores the various trends and movements, from the early operettas through the arrival of jazz, and up through the conceptual musicals of the last 30 years. The treatment is chronological with most chapters focusing on a single lyricist. A bibliography and index complete the volume. By reviewing the careers and works of America's most influential theatre lyricists, Hischak offers a fresh new perspective on the evolution of musical theatre in America.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hischak, associate professor of theater history and criticism at the State University of New York, presents a lively and insightful analysis of the careers and major works of Broadway's most notable lyricists--Cohan, Berlin, Gershwin, Lerner, Harnick and others. Tracing the development of lyrics in American musical theater to the present day, he examines how each lyricist's innovations fit into the whole picture and argues persuasively that lyric writing has evolved into a serious art form. Though copyright restrictions prohibit him from extensively quoting lyrics, Hischak is able, nevertheless, to analyze numerous examples, to capture the spirit of the works he discusses and illuminate the story of this heretofore little-appreciated aspect of musical theater.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Hischak departs from the usual method of surveying the Broadway musical by focusing on the contributions of 21 major (and many more minor) lyricists of the theater. Some have entire chapters devoted to them, while others are grouped together by time period. This approach is somewhat problematic, especially when the lyricist is also the composer. In addition, because of follows a streamlined summary of the life and work with brief critiques (sometimes only a few adjectives) of selected songs. While much of this material is available elsewhere, Hischak's evaluations of a lyricist's body of work show insight and sensitivity, and in this regard he rises above the commonplace. Not an essential purchase, but suitable for large theater collections.
- Eric W. Johnson, Teikyo Post Univ. Lib., Waterbury, Ct.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (May 30, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275938492
• ISBN-13: 978-0275938499
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,951,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, April 18, 2008

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This review is from: Word Crazy: Broadway Lyricists from Cohan to Sondheim (Hardcover)

Wonderful look at the lives of American Lyricists and their specialised art form. Using many examples of their verse, Hischak amply demonstrates the evolution of the American musical-theatre and concludes in the 1980s. Some great observations and well recommended.