Broadway Musicals: The 101 Greatest Shows of All Time

336 pp. Color and black-and-white photographs throughout text, foreword by Jerry Orbach. "Just in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Broadway comes the first book on the subject that is as lively and as visually rich as a Broadway show. This lush celebration chronicles the 101 most influential, popular, and enduring shows - along the way profiling dozens of composers, writers, performers, designers, and others who have contributed to the art form. Expert commentary sets the shows in historical and cultural context and provides an unparalleled overview of musicals from their roots in 19th-century operetta through today's technically ingenious and stylistically diverse productions. The 850 photographs - most never before published or seen - provide glimpses of legendary performances that were thought lost forever, and a brand-new view of the art form, even for diehard aficionados. Plot synopses, cast and song lists, production details, backstage anecdotes, and quotations supplement the text and pictures for every entry. Special illustrated features throughout the book include Cast Albums, Guilty Pleasures, Off Broadway, Notable Flops, Film Stars Who Attempted Broadway, Great Scores from So-so Shows, Posters, and more. A Foreword by musical theatre (and television) legend Jerry Orbach lends an insider's view."