150 Years of Popular Musical Theatre (Hardcover)

by Andrew Lamb (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Both informed and engaging, 150 Years of Popular Musical Theatre by British musicologist Andrew Lamb traces the development of modern musical theater from its beginnings in Paris roughly a century and a half ago to productions seen today on Broadway, in New York's East Village and the West End of London. Lamb contends that the dawn of the Industrial Revolution brought an increase in the uneducated working population to urban centers where the demand for "less sophisticated, more accessible theatrical entertainment" gave rise to the operetta, particularly as created by Jacques Offenbach. From there, Lamb proceeds across Europe to America, where he follows musical theater through various countries and composers, concluding with Jonathan Larson's rock opera Rent. 35 b&w illus.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Lamb, a British musicologist, writer, and broadcaster, has really done his homework for this incredibly detailed history of popular musical theater. From the earliest European operetta styles of France and Germany to the modern musical of the United States and Britain, Lamb covers every turn in the development of musicals. Though well indexed, this is not so much a reference book as a historical narrative. Lamb's intent is to provide a discussion of the composers and their works, with special attention paid to their place in the evolution of the genre: "Focus is on the various creative teams in turn, rather than necessarily on dealing with key works in chronological order." Major performers, producers, and directors are also discussed. This thoroughly enjoyable read is guaranteed to provide happy surprises for even the most avid fan. Recommended for academic and public library theater collections. Laura A. Ewald, Murray State Univ., KY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300075383
• ISBN-13: 978-0300075380
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #340,897 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The author needs to do his research, October 29, 2001

By	"aidaonbroadway" (California USA) - See all my reviews

This book is TRYING to organize well the history of musical theatre, but he gets all jumbled where he talks about 1999 and then moves back to 1984 and then goes to 1997, and you just wonder where he is taking you, and you can easily get confused. He also made some false claims, especially about RENT, where he said that the creator died of AIDS on the night of the first preview. Johnathan Larson did not die of AIDS, and it was the opening night of the NYTW try out. He also makes vague generalizations of the plot and everything of different musicals, and he just isnt complete where he should have been, and instead wastes alot of the time with just boring pointless BLAH. If you want a good musical theatre book, don't look here.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The author needs to do his research, October 29, 2001

By A Customer

This book is TRYING to organize well the history of musical theatre, but he gets all jumbled where he talks about 1999 and then moves back to 1984 and then goes to 1997, and you just wonder where he is taking you, and you can easily get confused. He also made some false claims, especially about RENT, where he said that the creator died of AIDS on the night of the first preview. Johnathan Larson did not die of AIDS, and it was the opening night of the NYTW try out. He also makes vague generalizations of the plot and everything of different musicals, and he just isnt complete where he should have been, and instead wastes alot of the time with just boring pointless BLAH. If you want a good musical theatre book, don't look here.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Jonathan Larson, May 2, 2002

By	jessica (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

I just wanted to clear something up about a wonderful role model Jonathan Larson who created RENT. This book stated that he died of aids. Get your facts strait! After a visit to the hospital complaining of chest pains, he had been given an all-clear from the doctors. But then, a few days later, he suddenly died, at the age of 35, from an aortic aneurysm. It was the evening of the dress rehearsal. If you are going to write a book, maybe you should get your information correct.