Making musicals : an informal introduction to the world of musical theatre

The lyricist/librettist of The Fantasticks, the longest-running show in the history of the American theatre, here takes on a new role as guide through the magical world of the stage musical. He begins his tour with a brief history, tracing the musical's origins to the variety shows and operettas of the early 1900s. How to create a musical, whatever its style, is Tom Jone's concern in the longer second part of this book. He draws generously upon his own experiences, with composer Harvey Schmidt, in creating not only The Fantasticks but all their other shows. Together these musicals become a constant frame of reference as Jones explains how to get started, how to work with composers, set designers, and other collaborators, how to find the sparks for an effective lyric, how to create a musical rather than a play with music and how to go about getting it produced.