Top
Discover what goes on behind the curtains of your favorite musical
Do you want to know more about the fascinating history of Broadway musicals, the stars of yesterday and today, and what goes on behind the curtain of a musical production? In Musical Theatre For Dummies, Broadway insider and host of Sirus/XM Radio’s ON BROADWAY channel Seth Rudetsky takes you backstage and reveals everything you want to know (and what you didn't know you wanted to know) about life in the theatre. How did musical theatre begin? How did Broadway stars become stars? How can you launch your own musical theatre path, whether in a school musical, community theatre, or on a path toward Broadway? Get answers to all these questions along with tons more insight from the unofficial "mayor of Broadway."
Whether you're completely new to musical theatre or have a few Tony awards displayed over your fireplace, this is the book for you. Enjoy real-life anecdotes shared with the author by Broadway's biggest stars as you become a musical theater know-it-all.
Seth Rudetsky is the afternoon host of “On Broadway” on SIRIUSXM®. Seth has played piano and/or conducted more than a dozen Broadway shows, including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Grease. He co-wrote and starred on Broadway in the New York Times Critics pick musical DISASTER! During the COVID lockdown, he and his husband James Wesley raised more than $1,000,000 for the Actors Fund with their online show Stars In The House. For more info go to SethRudetsky.com.
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Musical Theatre 5
Chapter 1: Before the Curtain Rises: Just the Basics about Musical Theatre 7
Chapter 2: The History of Musical Theatre (in “only” 100 pages!) 19
Chapter 3: Finally the Anatomy of a Musical 123
Chapter 4: Oklahoma, Chicago, Avenue Q: Where Musical Theatre Takes Place 139
Chapter 5: Experiencing the Magic of Musical Theatre 167
Part 2: The People Who Make Musical Theatre Happen 189
Chapter 6: Making the Musical — The Creators 191
Chapter 7: Creating the Big Picture — “The Room Where It Happens” 217
Chapter 8: Delivering the Details — The Creatives 231
Chapter 9: “Being Alive” — The Performers 249
Chapter 10: Introducing the People Who Work the Show Night after Night 271
Part 3: The Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Theatre Life 295
Chapter 11: Understanding How an Idea Becomes Broadway Gold 297
Chapter 12: “Hi-Ho, the Glamorous Life” (of a Broadway Performer) 319
Chapter 13: Landing a Role (Paying or Not!) 339
Part 4: The Part of Tens 363
Chapter 14: Ten (Plus) Songs You Didn’t Realize Came from Musical Theatre 365
Chapter 15: Ten Celebs Who Started in Musical Theatre 369
Index 375
The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.
The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.
Need Help? Copyright © 1999-2026
