The New American Musical

by Hausam, Wiley

• ISBN13: 9781559362009
• ISBN10: 1559362006
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group

Summary

A major new anthology of groundbreaking American musicals. During the 1990's, a new generation of composers, lyricists and librettists emerged radically changing the face of American musical theatre. With Broadway becoming mostly a museum for revivals and Disney blockbusters, these new artists have fashioned a more highly personal and challenging form of musical theatre less interested in pure entertainment and the creation of diversions. Their work bears the influence of composers like Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Mark Blitzstein and Leonard Bernstein and their music and lyrics demand a greater commitment from the listener. The work is often dark and the stories they illuminate cut to the heart of post-modern America. This anthology collects for the first time the groundbreaking work of these innovative new artists: Rent Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson "The breakthrough musical for the 90's."-Jack Kroll, Newsweek "Reinventing Broadway. A raw and riveting milestone in musical theatre."-Peter Travers, Rolling Stone Floyd Collins Music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Tina Landau "This is the original and daring musical of our day-a powerhouse."-New York Magazine Parade Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, book by Alfred Uhry "A defining moment in Broadway musical theatre."-Clive Barnes, New York Post Nominated for 9 Tony Awards and 13 Drama Desk Awards Winner of 2 Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards, including Best New Musical The Wild Party Music and lyrics by Michael John La Chiusa, book by Michael John La Chiusa and George C. Wolfe "The first musical triumph of the 21st Century."-Daily News Nominated for 7 Tony Awards Wiley Hausam is the former associate producer of The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival and current director of the Songbook Series at Joe's Pub in New York, which features the work of new musical theatre composers. He has recently formed his own production and consultation company in New York City.

Table of Contents

Way Back to Paradise: In Search of Today's Great American Musical
An Introduction by the Editor	xiii
Floyd Collins
Music & Lyrics by Adam Guettel
Book & Additional Lyrics by Tina Landau	1	(98)
Rent
Book, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson	99	(130)
Parade
Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Book by Alfred Uhry	229	(124)
The Wild Party
Music & Lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa
Book by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe	353