From Assassins to West Side Story: The Director's Guide to Musical Theatre (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Assassins to West Side Story is that rare theater textbook that is so articulate, insightful, and downright playful that it can be read simply for pleasure. If you're planning to direct one of these 16 shows, though, you'll have a far richer production for having employed its points. Scott Miller shows an uncommon, detailed understanding of the emotional machinery of these shows. He explores the use of the dies irae theme throughout Sweeney Todd; points out how the title character in Pippin becomes extraordinary only when he resolves to be ordinary; proposes unceasing motion as a staging concept and a theme in Les Miserables; suggests techniques to best let an audience grasp that time flows backward in Merrily We Roll Along; and ponders the nature of reality and unreality at the core of Man of La Mancha. Keep those cast albums ready, because you'll definitely be putting them on.

From Library Journal

The subtitle "director's guide" is somewhat misleading and could do this fine book a significant disservice. Although it will certainly assist directors in planning productions with greater depth and impact, it should also attract a much broader audience?actors, production staff, teachers, theater enthusiasts, and the like. Director, composer, and lyricist Miller offers a creative look at 16 musical icons, including Cabaret, Into the Woods, Les Miserables, Sweeny Todd, Gypsy, Carousel, and more. The result is not just a series of plot rehashes with production credits, though. Miller truly examines each show's contribution to the theatrical experience by providing character analyses, historical commentary, approaches to production, and thoughts on interpreting symbolism, themes, and musical textures. He aims at the heart of each work and reaches it with artistic insight. Those who participate in the theater at any level as well as those with an avid interest in the subject will discover some fresh ideas here. For circulating libraries with large collections in the performing arts.?Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.J.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama (May 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435086995
• ISBN-13: 978-0435086992
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,023 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Work, March 26, 2000

By	DonmarUK (London/New York) - See all my reviews

As a bi-continental director (London, New York, and Los Angeles), I was delighted to find that Miller doesn't have an American prejudice in his work -- in fact he highly respects the work non-American directors have done on American classics and that's quite refreshing. His books (this one and "Deconstructing Harold Hill") are the best examples I've seen of serious considerations of important, interesting musical theatre, yet with a sense of fun and joy, and with a devilish penchant for denying conventional wisdom when it doesn't make sense. In fact, he makes cases (in both books) for changing the conventional wisdom on a number of American classics. These terrific books are must-reads for both the theatre professional and the rabid fan as well -- both are inestimable treasures.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Finally a book that I can USE to help me direct!, March 30, 1998

By A Customer

Scott Miller has shown that he not only truly understands the complexities of musical theater, but he knows how to put his ideas into terms that the rest of us schmucks can use. His book has become my "bible" when I direct. I look to the book to give me new angles for characterization, as well as staging. Miller really seems to cherish the richness of Stephen Sondheim's work and is able to translate his understanding into concrete suggestions for staging Sondheim's work. This is a must read for anyone who ever attempts to direct any kind of musical.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Sondheim fans, January 1, 1999

By A Customer

I love Sondheim shows and this book covers 7 Sondheim musicals (if you count West Side Story and Gypsy). I've read every book on Sondheim that's out there, but none of them made me understand the shows better than this one. It covers Assassins, Cabaret, Carousel, Company, Godspell, Gypsy, How to Succeed, Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miz, Man of La Mancha, Merrily We Roll Along, My Fair Lady, Pippin, Sweeney Todd, and West Side Story. Buy this book if you love musicals.