Writing The Broadway Musical [Paperback]

Aaron Frankel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2000

Brimming with advice and techniques, this essential reference for book- and songwriters clearly explains the fundamentals of the three crafts of a musical—book, music, and lyrics. Using copious examples from classic shows, Frankel has created the quintessential musical writers' how-to. Among the topics:definitions of musical theater; differences between musical books and straight plays and between poetry and lyrics; what a score is and how it develops; how to write for the voice; and how to audition musicals for producers. With a new introduction and revised text, Frankel's work is ready to guide a new generation of aspiring writers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Cannot be overlooked by those interested in a musical theater career." -- Variety

"Detailed analysis [that] will assist both composers and writers." -- Backstage

About the Author

Aaron Frankel has directed over a hundred musicals and plays, some twenty of them new, in addition to collaborating as a writer both on and off Broadway. He has taught at ten universities, including Columbia University, NYU, and the New School, where he has led a musical theater writing workshop for more than thirty years. He lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; Rev Upd Su edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306809435
• ISBN-13: 978-0306809439
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hallelujah It's Back In Print!, September 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing The Broadway Musical (Paperback)

Finally this fabulous book is back in print. If you are writing a musical, thinking about writing a musical or simply interested in how musicals are put together, get your hands on this book. It has got to be the clearest, most straight talkin', no bull approach to musical theatre writing I've read. It'll get you thinking and keep you writing!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! It gives you the fundementals to writing a musical., January 17, 1998

By 

Deb Di Gregorio "Deb Di Gregorio" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing the Broadway Musical (Paperback)

I have taken Aaron Frankel's class at the New School in NYC and used his book along with it. It has been a very interesting process for me to learn how to write a musical (I thought I was a novelist) and his book has been extremely helpful. I now know a lot more about putting the fundementals in place for a successful musical...and I get the feeling that if I ever go back to writing novels it will make me a better novelist as well. His book is relatively brief, but it is thick with advice and techniques. It covers everything from the making of a good story, to lyric writing. I strongly reccomend it. I understand that he is in the process of working with his publisher on a reprint. I have found copies of his book in retail book stores so at this moment it is not completely sold out.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Writing the Broadway Musical, October 23, 2000

By 

"mak101" (ny, ny, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing The Broadway Musical (Paperback)

Aaron Frankel writes with the voice of helpful and comprehensive experience. He is a writer - and teacher - of the highest order, and there are important points made in this book that are of great value to actors, directors and producers, as well as the playwrights for whom the book is primarily intended. Mr. Frankel is one of the few authors who expresses himself with both a clear, accessible style and a with a talent for engaging the reader every step of the way.