The History of the Musical (Unabridged)
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The History of the Musical (Unabridged)
Buy for $15.90
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Narrated by:
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Kim Criswell
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By:
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Richard Fawkes
The musical is one of the great art forms of the 20th century. Showboat, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Oliver, Cabaret - one masterpiece after another packed the theaters on Broadway, in London's West End, and around the world. And it made a successful transfer to cinema. A truly popular art, the musical closely reflected society and its needs - sometimes providing a message and often providing a much-needed romantic escape.
In this audio-original production, author Richard Fawkes traces the development of the musical, from its origins in European light opera and operetta to its transformation in the hands of the great American song composers and lyricists - among them Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe. The talent of Lloyd Webber and Sondheim has assured that in the 21st century, it is as lively as ever.
Presented by the vivacious singer Kim Criswell, who starred in Cats, sang on Broadway, won awards for her recordings, and has lived and breathed the musical since she was a young girl. This enthralling story is told with nearly 100 famous musical extracts.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2001 Richard Fawkes (P)2001 AudioBooks Ltd.Listeners also enjoyed...
Editorial reviews
An enjoyable stroll down Broadway and "the West End" of London, this audiobook traces the development of musical theater, explaining the influence of many famous composers and songwriters over the past 150 years, as well as the impact of history on this art form. In a strong, clear voice, Kim Cresswell's narration varies from light-hearted, easy-going tones, to darker, more somber ones, using inflection and emphasis to indicate the evolution in musical theater. Well-selected excerpts from the various shows enhance the overall impact, and sound quality is excellent, even for the older pieces. The introductions include names of performers, title of the song, and name of the show. This all-around quality production will have you humming for days.