The Complete Book of 1940s Broadway Musicals

by Dan Dietz

Overview

The debut of Oklahoma! in 1943 ushered in the modern era of Broadway musicals and was followed by a number of successes that have become beloved classics. Shows produced on Broadway during this decade include Annie Get Your Gun, Brigadoon, Carousel, Finian’s Rainbow, Pal Joey, On the Town, and South Pacific. Among the major performers of the decade were Alfred Drake, Gene Kelly, Mary Martin, and Ethel Merman, while other talents who contributed to shows include Irving Berlin, Gower Champion, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Agnes de Mille, Lorenz Hart, Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe, Cole Porter, Jerome Robbins, Richard Rodgers, and 'scar Hammerstein II.

In The Complete Book of 1940s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines every musical and revue that opened on Broadway during the 1940s. In addition to providing details on every hit and flop, this book includes revivals and one-man and one-woman shows. Each entry contains the following information:

• Opening and closing dates

• Plot summary
• Cast members
• Number of performances
• Names of all important personnel, including writers, composers, directors, choreographers, producers, and musical directors
• Musical numbers and the names of performers who introduced the songs
• Production data, including information about tryouts
• Source material
• Critical commentary
• Details about London and other foreign productions

Besides separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes, such as a discography, film versions, published scripts, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and non-musical productions that utilized songs, dances, or background music.

A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1940s Broadway Musicals provides readers with a complete 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442245273
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/02/2015
Pages:	610
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.10(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Dan Dietz is a former professor of composition, world literature, and modern drama at Western Carolina University. He is the author of Off Broadway Musicals, 1910-2007 (2010), The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014), and The Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction BROADWAY MUSICALS OF THE 1940s 1940 Season 1940–1941 Season 1941–1942 Season 1942–1943 Season 1943–1944 Season 1944–-1945 Season 1945–1946 Season 1946–1947 Season 1947–1948 Season 1948–1949 Season 1949 Season APPENDIXES A Alphabetical List of Shows B Chronology (by Season) C Chronology (by Classification) D Discography E Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas F Filmography G Other Productions H Published Scripts I Theatres Bibliography Index About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Dietz continues his excellent series on Broadway musicals with a step back into the Golden Age of musicals. He covers every Broadway show from the 1940s (273 shows altogether), from John Henry (January 1940) through Jule Styne's smash Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (December 1949). As in earlier volumes treating the 1960s and 1950s and complementing the content of Thomas Hischak's Broadway Plays and Musicals, Dietz discusses the ‘book musicals’ (serious drama set to music and song) with new music as well as the revivals, revues, new operas, imports, and other works appearing in New York venues, plus pre-Broadway closings. Each chronologically arranged entry includes opening and closing dates, number of performances, crew, cast (with character names), setting, musical numbers (and performers), two-page plot summaries and critical reception, awards, book availability, and detailed recording history. Names of performers who were billed above the title are italicized for emphasis. Entries are well-written and informative, with ample quotes from the original New York theater critics. Appendixes A–H (including a chronology, discography, and filmography), a bibliography, and a detailed index complete the volume. Any lover of Broadway shows and library collections with strengths in musical theater will want to purchase this volume. Summing Up: Recommended. All students and scholars; general readers; professionals/practitioners.

Choice Reviews

Musical-theater enthusiasts will enjoy paging through this volume, and students or researchers in the field will find this to be a good starting point. Recommended for medium-sized and large public library reference collections as well as academic libraries supporting performing-arts programs.

Booklist

The entries are well written, concise, interesting and fun to read. Often the author includes obscure details to personalize the production.. . .There is an alphabetical index of all the musicals at the beginning of the volume, which is good, as the organization of the volume is by Broadway season.

Reference Reviews

Dietz continues his excellent series on Broadway musicals with a step back into the Golden Age of musicals. He covers every Broadway show from the 1940s (273 shows altogether), from John Henry (January 1940) through Jule Styne's smash Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (December 1949). As in earlier volumes treating the 1960s and 1950s and complementing the content of Thomas Hischak's Broadway Plays and Musicals, Dietz discusses the ‘book musicals’ (serious drama set to music and song) with new music as well as the revivals, revues, new operas, imports, and other works appearing in New York venues, plus pre-Broadway closings. Each chronologically arranged entry includes opening and closing dates, number of performances, crew, cast (with character names), setting, musical numbers (and performers), two-page plot summaries and critical reception, awards, book availability, and detailed recording history. Names of performers who were billed above the title are italicized for emphasis. Entries are well-written and informative, with ample quotes from the original New York theater critics. Appendixes A–H (including a chronology, discography, and filmography), a bibliography, and a detailed index complete the volume. Any lover of Broadway shows and library collections with strengths in musical theater will want to purchase this volume. Summing Up: Recommended. All students and scholars; general readers; professionals/practitioners.

Choice

Dietz continues his excellent series on Broadway musicals with a step back into the Golden Age of musicals. He covers every Broadway show from the 1940s (273 shows altogether), from John Henry (January 1940) through Jule Styne's smash Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (December 1949). As in earlier volumes treating the 1960s and 1950s and complementing the content of Thomas Hischak's Broadway Plays and Musicals, Dietz discusses the ‘book musicals’ (serious drama set to music and song) with new music as well as the revivals, revues, new operas, imports, and other works appearing in New York venues, plus pre-Broadway closings. Each chronologically arranged entry includes opening and closing dates, number of performances, crew, cast (with character names), setting, musical numbers (and performers), two-page plot summaries and critical reception, awards, book availability, and detailed recording history. Names of performers who were billed above the title are italicized for emphasis. Entries are well-written and informative, with ample quotes from the original New York theater critics. Appendixes A–H (including a chronology, discography, and filmography), a bibliography, and a detailed index complete the volume. Any lover of Broadway shows and library collections with strengths in musical theater will want to purchase this volume. Summing Up: Recommended. All students and scholars; general readers; professionals/practitioners.

CHOICE

Musical-theater enthusiasts will enjoy paging through this volume, and students or researchers in the field will find this to be a good starting point. Recommended for medium-sized and large public library reference collections as well as academic libraries supporting performing-arts programs.

Booklist

The entries are well written, concise, interesting and fun to read. Often the author includes obscure details to personalize the production. . . .There is an alphabetical index of all the musicals at the beginning of the volume, which is good, as the organization of the volume is by Broadway season.

s

The entries are well written, concise, interesting and fun to read. Often the author includes obscure details to personalize the production. . . .There is an alphabetical index of all the musicals at the beginning of the volume, which is good, as the organization of the volume is by Broadway season.

"American Reference Books Annual"

09/01/2015
Dietz (The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals) shines the spotlight on the decade that many consider the birth of the modern musical, given the Broadway bow of Oklahoma! in 1943. He details the amazing sweep of 273 productions that opened during this period, including Brigadoon, Pal Joey, and South Pacific. Essay entries are organized by show opening date, with an alphabetical shows index also provided. Entries have header listings of book/lyrics credits, cast members, number of performances, and other information that is sure to please musical fans, but sadly no illustrations. Eight appendixes (covering discographies, filmographies, and more) conclude the work. VERDICT A rich tour of a landmark decade on the Great White Way.

Library Journal