ABSTRACT

This volume in the Routledge Key Guides series provides a round-up of the fifty musicals whose creations were seminal in altering the landscape of musical theater discourse in the English-speaking world.

Each entry summarises a show, including a full synopsis, discussion of the creators' process, show's critical reception, and its impact on the landscape of musical theater.

This is the ideal primer for students of musical theater – its performance, history, and place in the modern theatrical world – as well as fans and lovers of musicals.

chapter |7 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|8 pages

The Black Crook

chapter 3|5 pages

The Merry Widow

chapter 4|5 pages

Shuffle Along

chapter 5|6 pages

Show Boat

chapter 6|6 pages

Of Thee I Sing

chapter 7|7 pages

Anything Goes

chapter 8|5 pages

Porgy and Bess

chapter 9|6 pages

The Cradle Will Rock

chapter 10|8 pages

Pal Joey

chapter 11|5 pages

Oklahoma

chapter 12|5 pages

Guys and Dolls

chapter 13|7 pages

The Threepenny Opera

chapter 14|6 pages

My Fair Lady

chapter 15|6 pages

West Side Story

chapter 16|4 pages

Gypsy

chapter 17|5 pages

The Fantasticks

chapter 18|4 pages

Hello Dolly

chapter 19|5 pages

Fiddler on the Roof

chapter 20|5 pages

Cabaret

chapter 21|5 pages

Hair

chapter 22|6 pages

Promises, Promises

chapter 23|5 pages

Company

chapter 24|6 pages

No, No Nanette (1971)

chapter 25|5 pages

The Wiz

chapter 26|5 pages

A Chorus Line

chapter 27|5 pages

Annie

chapter 28|5 pages

Ain't Misbehavin'

chapter 30|6 pages

Dreamgirls

chapter 31|5 pages

Cats

chapter 32|5 pages

La Cage Aux Folles

chapter 33|6 pages

Les Misérables

chapter 34|4 pages

The Phantom of the Opera

chapter 35|5 pages

Miss Saigon

chapter 36|8 pages

The Secret Garden

chapter 37|5 pages

Falsettos

chapter 38|5 pages

Beauty and the Beast

chapter 39|6 pages

Grease (1994)

chapter 40|5 pages

Rent

chapter 41|4 pages

Seussical

chapter 42|4 pages

The Producers

chapter 43|5 pages

Mamma Mia

chapter 44|6 pages

Wicked

chapter 45|5 pages

Jersey Boys

chapter 46|6 pages

In the Heights

chapter 47|5 pages

Next to Normal

chapter 48|9 pages

Fun Home

chapter 49|6 pages

Hamilton

chapter 50|5 pages

Dear Evan Hansen