Musicals
of the 1990s felt the impact of key developments that forever changed
the landscape of Broadway. While the onslaught of British imports slowed
down, the so-called Disneyfication of Broadway began, a trend that
continues today. Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King became
long-running hits, followed by more family-friendly musicals. The decade
was also distinguished by a new look at revivals—instead of slavishly
reproducing old shows or updating them with campy values, Broadway saw a
stream of fresh and sometimes provocative reinventions, including major
productions of My Fair Lady, Damn Yankees, Carousel, Show Boat, and
Chicago.
In The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1990s. This book discusses the era’s major hits (Miss Saigon, Crazy for You, Rent), notorious flops (Shogun, Nick & Nora, The Red Shoes), controversial shows (Passion, The Capeman), and musicals that closed during their pre-Broadway tryouts (Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge, Whistle Down the Wind). In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Sandra Bernhard, Michael Feinstein, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, and Mandy Patinkin.
In The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1990s. This book discusses the era’s major hits (Miss Saigon, Crazy for You, Rent), notorious flops (Shogun, Nick & Nora, The Red Shoes), controversial shows (Passion, The Capeman), and musicals that closed during their pre-Broadway tryouts (Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge, Whistle Down the Wind). In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Sandra Bernhard, Michael Feinstein, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, and Mandy Patinkin.
Each entry contains the following information:
- Plot summary
- Cast members
- Names of all important personnel, including writers, composers, directors, choreographers, producers, and musical directors
- Opening and closing dates
- Number of performances
- Critical commentary
- Musical numbers and the performers who introduced the songs
- Production data, including information about tryouts
- Source material
- Tony awards and nominations
- Details about London and other foreign productions
Besides
separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous
appendixes, including a discography, filmography, and published scripts,
as well as lists of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, black-themed shows,
and Jewish-themed productions.
A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals provides a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.
A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1990s Broadway Musicals provides a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.


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