Resources on Musicals
at
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
2007
Books
782 GRE
Green, Stanley. The world of musical comedy; the story of the American musical stage as told through the careers of its foremost composers and lyricists. New York, Ziff-Davis Pub. Co. [1960]
782.8 ALT
Altman, Richard, 1932- The making of a musical: Fiddler on the roof,. New York, Crown Publishers [1971]
782.8 EWE
Ewen, David, 1907- The story of America's musical theater. Philadelphia, Chilton Book Co. [c1968]
782.8 JAK
Jackson, Arthur. The best musicals from Show boat to A chorus line : Broadway, off Broadway, London. New York : Crown Publishers, 1977.
782.8 LEI
Leigh, Mitch, 1928- Man of La Mancha; a musical play, New York, Random House [1966]
782.8 LER
Lerner, Alan Jay, 1918- The street where I live. New York : W. W. Norton, c1978.
782.8 MOR
Mordden, Ethan, 1947- Better foot forward : the history of American musical theatre. New York : Grossman Publishers, 1976.
782.8 RAT
Ratliff, Gerald Lee. On stage : producing musical theatre. New York : Rosen Pub. Group, 1988.
782.81 ENG
Engel, Lehman, 1910- The making of a musical. New York : Macmillan Pub. Co., c1977.
782.81 FRA
Frankel, Aaron. Writing the Broadway musical. New York : Drama Book Specialists, c1977.
782.81 GRE
Green, Stanley. Ring bells! Sing songs!; Broadway musicals of the 1930's. New Rochelle, N.Y., Arlington House [1971]
782.81 KOB
Kobal, John. Gotta sing, gotta dance; a pictorial history of film musicals. Feltham, New York, Hamlyn, 1970.
782.81 NOV
Novak, Elaine Adams. Performing in musicals. New York : Schirmer Books, 1988.
782.81 POW
Powers, Bill. Behind the scenes of a Broadway musical. New York, N.Y. : Crown Publishers, c1982.
782.81 THE
Their words are music : the great theatre lyricists and their lyrics. New York : Crown Publishers, c1975.
782.81 WOL
Woll, Allen L. Black musical theatre : from Coontown to Dreamgirls. Baton Rouge : Louisiana State University Press, c1989.
792 CHA
Chambers, Catherine, 1966- Theater. Chicago, Ill: Heinemann Library, 2001.
792.097 LAU
Laufe, Abe. Broadway's greatest musicals. New York, Funk & Wagnalls [1970]
792.32 KIS
Kislan, Richard. Hoofing on Broadway : a history of show dancing. New York : Prentice Hall Press, c1987.
812 LAU
Bernstein, Leonard, 1918- West Side story : a musical. New York : Random House, c1958.
Reference Books
R 782 EWE
Ewen, David, 1907- Complete book of the American musical theater; a guide to more than 300 productions of the American musical theater from The black crook (1866) to the present, with plot, production history, stars, songs, composers, librettists, and lyricists. New York, Holt [1958]
R 782.1 BLO
Bloom, Ken, 1949- American song : the complete musical theatre companion. New York : Schirmer Books, c1996.
R 782.809 BOR
Bordman, Gerald Martin. American musical theatre : a chronicle. New York : Oxford University Press, 1978.
R 782.81 GAN
Gänzl, Kurt. Gänzl's book of the musical theatre. New York : Schirmer Books, 1989.
R 782.81 GRE
Green, Stanley. Encyclopedia of the musical theatre : an updated reference guide to over 2000 performers, writers, directors, productions, and songs of the musical stage, both in New York and London. New York : Da Capo Press, [1980], c1976.
Magazines
American Theater
Databases
To access library databases, go to www.hfhighschool.org and scroll down to “Library Online Resources” on the right. This will bring you to the library homepage. Click on the database you wish to use. Remember, password, authorization, ID, etc. is required. See the librarian for details.
The best databases to use for this assignment are:
Web Sites
Musicals
Here is a wonderful site about famous musical stage productions. Student of the theatre will enjoy browsing the site, accessing the pages from the main menu, where the organization is by shows, people, best sites, or general information. The reference to people will take you to a list of theatre heavyweights, including Rogers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Elton John, Lerner and Loewe and many more. There are dozens of links to sites of specific shows, which are resplendent with animations, photographs, and other attractions.
Musicals
Visit this web site, The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musical Theater, TV and Film, for lots of resources. Here you can find information on stage, screen and television musicals. You can learn the history behind each one. Read about Vaudeville, the first musical comedies, and the "golden decade." You can even learn how to put on a musical. Have you seen The Chorus Line? This was a musical that changed theater. Visit this web site and learn why.
American Musical Theatre: An Introduction
A brief but concise history of the musical theatre in America. From the very first musical production of ?Flora? in South Carolina, in 1735, the musical play together with the musical comedy are today thriving artistically and commercially because each has its own place and purpose. ?Flora? was a ballad opera from England. After the colonies became a nation a new kind of production began to attract attention: the burlesque. Learn about productions of ?Ixion? produced in 1869 and the sensational extravaganza, ?The Black Crook?. The American musical comedy did not emerge until after the turn of the twentieth century.
The 21st Century Musicals Website
"Welcome to the site where you will find everything to do with Musicals of the 21st Century. Each section of the site has news and details of the new shows currently playing in London's West End, on Broadway and everywhere in between. It also includes any shows that have been created since the year 2000." This very attractive site promises to be a boon to musical theater. Presently, the viewer may access the homepage of musicals, use the database, investigate production news, view merchandise, use the FAQ section, and investigate linked sites. Fascinating site for the musical theatre aficionado!
Music by Marc
Blitzstein
On this Web page you will find an "Alphabetical List of Performable Works by Marc Blitzstein". Hundreds of songs are listed here. The date is included along with the title of each song written by Marc Blitzstein. In addition, information about each performance is provided. For example: "Airborne Symphony, The" (1943-6) cantata for male chorus and orchestra excerpts: "Ballad of Hurry-Up""Ballad of the Bombardier" ("Emily"). This is an excellent resource for Marc Blitzstein's music.
Excerpt from Mark the Music: The Life and Work of Marc Blitzstein
This article is a review of the book, "Mark the Music: The Life and Work of Marc Blitzstein", written by Eric A. Gordon. It contains a partial biography of the famous playwright, Marc Blitzstein. In this piece of writing you will find an abundance of information about Mr. Blitzstein. Included are his operas, plays, as well as songs titles from these musical performances. Here you can read all about Marc Blitzstein's talent and style, and the mark he left on performing arts.
Discover Excpetional Music: Marc Blitzstein and the "Airborne Symphony"
The American Symphony Orchestra Web Page provides this article on composer and opera writer Marc Blitzstein. The article includes information about the "Airborne Symphony", written by Blitzstein. "The "Airborne Symphony" by Marc Blitzstein (1905-1964) is both the most substantial male-chorus work in the repertory and the single most powerful American composition to emerge from the Second World War." A short biography of Blitzstein's childhood, education and musical career is also included in this article.
Schonberg, Claude-Michel John
Kenrick created Musicals101, the online encyclopedia of stage, television, and film musicals. The site's many features include essays on the history of the musical, chronologies, bibliographies, and such resources as "Musicals: Who's Who," which comprises biographical sketches of more than three hundred sixty musical theater and film legends, including Claude-Michel Schonberg, the composer behind Les Miserables and Miss Saigon. Schonberg worked with lyricist and librettist Alain Boubil to adapt the former from the Victor Hugo novel and the latter from Puccini's Madame Butterfly.
John Kander and Fred Ebb "An important
composer for the American musical theater from the early '60s, Kander studied music as a child, continued at college, and was determined to make his way in the musical theater." This web page "An important composer for the American musical theater from the early '60s, Kander studied music as a child, continued at college, and was determined to make his way in the musical theater." This web page presented by The Public Broadcasting System details the life of Kander and his successful Broadway musicals. His collaboration with Fred Ebb is noted enhanced with a black and white photograph of the two of them. The text of the article features links to additional information about performers and productions. Recommendations for further reading are provided at the end of the article.
Les Miserables Visit the "Les Miserables" web site that offers exclusive information about author Victor Hugo and this famous musical that has been performed approximately 6000 times on Broadway. Go backstage and meet the actors as well as obtain information about what it takes to put on a musical of this magnitude. Historical and biographical information is also provided pertaining to the novel.
Philip Glass: 25 Years After Einstein on the Beach
Einstein on the Beach was a ground-breaking musical when it first debuted in 1976. The common musical was in two acts that told a simple story. This musical/opera, written by Philip Glass, was a five hour marathon without any type of act or typical storyline. The composer was trying to portray Albert Einstein, the man, as a person with profound impact on civilization. This is a dialogue with the composer that discusses how the musical would be received today along with his comments on the state of arts in general. The video of the interview is also available with Quicktime, though the interview is also transcribed.
Theatricopia
Are you a fan of musical theater? If so, this web site is just for you! Here you will find a collection of web links that will take you directly to musical sites. These sites include information about composers, performers, and lyricists. Study the lives of Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, and George Gershwin. You can read about different professional theatrical awards. And, just for fun, you can connect to musical games and challenge your knowledge of music trivia.
Irving Berlin Study the life of Irving Berlin at this web site. He was born on May 11, 1888, and died, at the age of 101, on September 22, 1989. Over his 100 year life span, he produced numerous ballads, tunes, songs, and dance numbers. Some of these include "White Christmas," "There is no Business like Show Business," and "How Deep is the Ocean." In a separate category, in a class by itself, is his devotion to his country and the song "God Bless America." He also wrote scores for Broadway musicals. Visit this site and learn more!
Tire Tracks This web site is all about Andrew Lloyd Weber, who is recognized throughout the world as one of the world's most successful composers of musical theater. Visit this web site to learn more about his life, his works, and even interesting trivia. Throughout his career, he has won three Grammy awards, seven Tony awards, six Oliver awards, a Golden Globe award, and both an International Emmy Award and an Oscar Award. Cats; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; and The Phantom of the Opera, are some of his many compositions.
Hair Michael Kantor's film Broadway: The American Musical, a six-part documentary series that first aired on PBS, chronicles the Broadway musical throughout the twentieth century and explores the evolution of the art form. The series draws on archival news footage, television clips, original cast recordings, still photos, feature films, diaries, journals, first-person accounts, and on-camera interviews with those involved in creating the American musical. The online companion to the series features articles about and images from "Memorable Musicals," including Gerome Ragni and James Rado's Hair, which debuted in April 1968.
Internet Broadway Database - Ogden Nash Credits
Famed poet Ogden Nash also wrote lyrics for a Broadway musicals. From this page, the viewer may click on the productions and read the particulars about each show: the theatre/s, the producers, the composers, the lyricists, the cast, the designers, the stagers, the production dates and the number of performances. Not only was Nash a very prolific poet, he was also a very versatile one. He has associations with many theatrical celebrities of the times.
Bob Fosse The New York Times provides this biography of Bob Fosse as part of its movie guide. Fosse's characteristic dance moves are described as part of the narrative about his many Broadway and film credits. "Molding his own imperfections into a distinct, sinuous style, Fosse left his mark on Broadway and brought an innovative dimension of sophistication and sensual energy to the movie musical in such films as 'Cabaret' (1972) and 'All That Jazz' (1979)." The author describes Fosse's career, concluding with information about his death in 1987.
Hair The Hair Online Archives comprise articles, photos, and images chronicling the history of the musical Hair, from its initial Off Broadway opening in October 1967 to its closing night on Broadway July 1, 1972. Visitors will find information about the careers of Hair lyricists and storytellers Gerome Ragni and James Rado and composer Galt MacDermot, as well as director Tom O'Horgan and producer Michael Butler. The archives also feature material related to the so-called "children of Hair": Dude and Rainbow.
Bob Fosse "Robert 'Bob' Fosse (June 23, 1927 - September 23, 1987) is known as one of musical theater's greatest choreographers and directors. He was born in Chicago, Illinois." Filmbug.com provides this summary of Fosse's life and career. Information is provided in a no-nonsense list format. Personal statistics as well as a filmography provide information and links to additional information. The Broadway and film shows he choreographed are listed along with the year they were produced. "Fosse earned many awards for his works. Among them were a Tony Award for Pippin, the Academy Award for Directing for Cabaret and an Emmy Award for 'Liza with a Z'"
The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organizatin
This is the official web site for The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization. Founded over 50 years ago, this organization promotes and administers entertainment copyrights. Included in this are stage productions, music publishing, and vocal performances. More than 100 artists and over 3000 songs are represented. You can also study the lives of composers, authors, and lyricists, from this web site. And, for fun, take the online musical theater quiz and test your trivia knowledge.
Bob Fosse "As a choreographer Fosse changed the course of Broadway musicals with his distinctively slinky, sexy style of dancing." This wonderful web page provides vital statistics about Bob Fosse, information about his contributions to choreography in film and broadway, and four good links to web sites with related information about Fosse. "Then he developed into a multimedia triple threat: in 1973 he won an Academy Award for directing the movie 'Cabaret'three Emmy awards for directing, producing and choreographingand two Tony Awards for directing and choreographing the Broadway show 'Pippin. ' That feat is, so far, unmatched."
George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan was the creator of many of the great patriotic songs in American musicals, such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Give My Regards to Broadway". This web site will tell you all about his life, the confusion surrounding his birth date, and how he became to be such an incredible performer. You will be able to read about George Cohan's family, his rise to stardom, and how his life ended on November 5, 1942.
Internet Broadway Database: John Kander
The Internet Broadway Database provides this comprehensive listing of all productions by John Kander. Each production is listed along with the production dates as well as the specific function Kander performed for the production. Each production is listed in link format which yields specific information about the production, its run on Broadway, awards and nominations, as well as its opening cast. By selecting the "Awards and Nomination" link under Kander's name, the reader is presented with a new window displaying the awards for which Kander was nominated or won.
John Kander Biography
Hollywood.com provides this extensive biography of John Kander. In addition to lengthy text, the author provides lists at the end of the article supplying such things as parent names, college he attended, awards won, and career milestones. The author details in the text how Kander began his career and how each success led to another challenge. His collaboration with Fred Ebb is presented as an introduction to the successful Broadway and Hollywood productions. Did you know that Kander also wrote for television as well as movies and Broadway? That information is presented in the text of this article. Excellent information!
Walt Disney Records: Biography of Howard Ashman
Study the life of Howard Ashman at this web site. He is a distinguished playwright, lyricist and director. He is well known for receiving the 1989 Academy Award for Best Song for "Under the Sea, " along with Alan Menken. This was a featured song in the Disney movie, The Little Mermaid. The song went on to win six awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and two Grammy Awards. Read more about his life and other successes, such as his contributions to Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and Alladin.
Bob Fosse The reader will discover links at the top of this web page that yield a wealth of information about Bob Fosse. The "Feature" link yields a biography of Fosse sprinkled with quotes and recollections from him. Following each link at the bottom of each page of text yields additional information, which is organized sequentially through Fosse's life. The information provided here is easy to read and offers a personal glimpse into the life of Bob Fosse. "Possessed of both unbridled energy and tremendous artistic gifts, Fosse was one of this century's great choreographers."
Bob Fosse "The son of a vaudevillian, Bob Fosse was born into the theatre." This biography of Bob Fosse focuses on his professional life, while providing a short overview of his youth. The text enumerates the titles of shows with which Fosse was associated. His career in films is also recounted. "His choreography for "My Sister Eileen" (1955), "The Pajama Game " (1957) and "Damn Yankees" (1958) was well received and, for "Sweet Charity" (1969)." Easy to read and concise information!
The Magic of Fosse
Danceart.com provides this retrospective of Fosse as examples of how hard work and perseverance can lead to success. "Bob Fosse did not have the wonderful 'technique' that many of us believe is necessary to become a professional dancer. He had several bad habits, often standing hunched over and he was even pigeon toed (turned in)." Many other shortcomings are recounted, leading to a section labeled "Working with what you have." Fosse's success is recapped as the author tells how he overcame shortcomings.
Bob Fosse Biography
This Yahoo! Movies article details the life of Bob Fosse. Detailed information about his career beginnings in Hollywood is provided. Did you know that Fosse, as a youth, was not only physically small, but an asthmatic? Interesting information about Fosse is woven into the article as his career accomplishments are recounted. Many textual internal links transport the reader to additional information about Broadway shows, films, and Fosse colleagues. "Working until the end, Fosse passed away with appropriate theatricality when he was felled by a heart attack shortly after the curtain went up on his revival of 'Sweet Charity' in 1987."
She's Got Way
This feature article provides fascinating insight into Twyla Tharp and her creative endeavor "Moving Out." "Moving Out" is a full-length production which is Tharp's choreographic accompaniment to several Bill Joel songs. Written by Laura Shapiro, this article mentions some of the early reviews of and reactions to the production. More interesting is the discussion of Tharp's reactions to the reviews and her ensuing changes to the work. This article offers the reader a rare view into an artist's creative and practical musings.
Parade The Broadway Musical Parade was a success on the Great White Way, and continues to impress audiences in road productions all over the country. This site gives an overview of the story which was based on the wrongful conviction of Leo Frank, a Jewish man from the south who was found guilty of murdering a 13-year-old girl. The show was written by Alfred Uhry, and composed by James Robert Brown. You can find out information about the original Broadway run, as well as current productions and reviews.
Chicago the Musical
This is the official site for the Broadway musical, Chicago, which is a story that involves murder, deceit, jealousy, and greed. You can find out about the plot, the history of the show-which is a revival-and the cast and creative team behind the different productions. There is also a picture gallery, reviews of the show, and a teaching guide that uses the story to teach moral and character lessons.
A History of the Musical: Minstrel Shows
A report on minstrel shows offers great informative and historical facts about the early minstrel shows, how "Jim Crow" became a popular song, traveling groups, and perspective of the underlying theme found in minstrel shows. This report is continued on the next page where more specific information is presented about minstrel shows, minstrel songs, and Al Jolson. Following links will also lead to information on vaudeville, burlesque, early musicals, and more current forms of musicals.
The Annie Site.com
Do you love the movie "Annie"? Here is an unofficial "Annie" web site made by a devoted fan. Read about the cast of the movie, fun facts about the making of the movie, information about the soundtrack and lyrics and see 3 Real Player movie trailers and one trailer created by the author. You can also read articles and reviews of the movie when it was originally released and see a photo gallery of stills from the movie.
A Computational Perspective on Twenty-First Century Music
"The forces that have shaped music history for several hundreds of years seem played out, leaving us without any sense of direction." The author provides a unique perspective of the future of music in the twenty first century. The article is lengthy requiring an advanced vocabulary. Beginning with the premise that all of today's music "results from collaborations between humans and machines," the author discusses various means of making music. Topics include computer-aided music, Kantian Aesthetics, Machine music, flexible software, and Algorithmic Postmodernism. Interesting, yet challenging reading!
Hair
Travel back to the Age of Aquarius at the official web site for the 1960s Broadway musical, Hair. You can learn how Hair went from a production without a home, to a controversial, long running Broadway success. Find out why the creators ended up defending the play's content in front of the United States Supreme Court. Or, just read the play and learn the lyrics to the first rock-and-roll songs to ever hit the Great White Way. There are also updates on original cast members, and information about current Hair productions.
The Classical Musical Archives
Visit this site and you will find one of the most comprehensive collections of classical music on the Internet. Over 15, 000 composers are accessible, from Bach to Vivaldi. For each artist, a short biography as well as an illustrated picture is available. Also, if you like history, be sure to check out the "Historical Context" section where you can view the life of the artist within a historical timeline, providing insight as to what was going on in the world while the artist lived.