Thomas S. Hischiak, Thomas S. Hischak

Word Crazy

Broadway Lyricists from Cohan to Sondheim

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This volume surveys the development of the American musical during the 20th century by focusing on one of the most important yet least recognized members of the creative team: the lyricist. From George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin through Oscar Hammerstein II, Alan Jay Lerner, Ira Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, and others, Word Crazy examines both well-known and obscure writers who have shaped one of America's most beloved theatrical forms. The author offers an overview of each lyricist's career and works and evaluates his or her strengths, weaknesses, patterns, temperament, and personal vision. The result is an unusual critical history of the Broadway musical that will be of significant interest to students of the theatre as well as to anyone who wishes to learn more about the unique craft of the theatre lyricist. Beginning with George M. Cohan, the American theatre's first important lyricist, and continuing up into the 1980s, the book presents an overall history of the musical theatre during this century. Hischak explores the various trends and movements, from the early operettas through the arrival of jazz, and up through the conceptual musicals of the last 30 years. The treatment is chronological with most chapters focusing on a single lyricist. A bibliography and index complete the volume. By reviewing the careers and works of America's most influential theatre lyricists, Hischak offers a fresh new perspective on the evolution of musical theatre in America.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Praeger
• Seitenzahl: 266
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. Mai 1991
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 240mm x 161mm x 19mm
• Gewicht: 569g
• ISBN-13: 9780275938499
• ISBN-10: 0275938492
• Artikelnr.: 21417453

Autorenporträt

THOMAS S. HISCHAK is Associate Professor of Theatre History and Criticism at State University of New York--Cortland. He has published numerous plays.

Inhaltsangabe

Whistling the Lyrics: An Introduction The Man Who Owned Broadway: George M.
Cohan As Thousands Cheered: Irving Berlin Going Up: Otto Harbach Leave It
To Plum: P. G. Wodehouse No More Make-Believe: Oscar Hammerstein II Of
Words I Sing: Ira Gershwin Anything Goes: Cole Porter On His Toes: Lorenz
Hart On and Off the Bandwagon: Howard Dietz and Dorothy Fields Yip's
Rainbow: E. Y. Harburg Also in the 1920s and 1930s Almost Like Being in
Love: Alan Jay Lerner Two on the Aisle: Betty Comden and Adolph Green Make
a Miracle: Frank Loesser Something's Coming: Stephen Sondheim Tradition:
Sheldon Harnick Also in the 1940s and 1950s Sunday Clothes: Jerry Herman
Trying to Remember: Tom Jones and Lee Adams A Quiet Thing: Fred Ebb Also in
the 1960s and 1970s The Writing on the Wall: The 1980s Bibliography Index