With an introductory chapter discussing the very earliest productions—The Beggar's Opera (1750), The Archers (1796), Tom and Jerry (1823), and The Bohemian Girl (1844)—A Chronology of American Musical Theater offers in-depth coverage of Broadway musicals from 1850-2001. The book's entries span more than 5,000 shows, including not only "book musicals" but also revivals, revues, burlesques, operettas, farce comedies, comic operas, ice skating shows, rock operas, and other musical spectacles that appeared on Broadway stages.
Drawing on primary documents—playbills, newspaper reviews, advertisements, and articles—Richard C. Norton has assembled a wealth of information in an easy-to-use format. All productions appear in chronological order by season in the first two volumes and are indexed alphabetically in volume three, allowing readers to quickly locate shows by either date or title, with variant titles also included. Entries contain the full cast, including chorus and dance ensemble (when known), composers, lyricists, book writers, choreographers, set designers, costumers, lighting designers, directors, and producers, followed by details of acts and scenes, and a comprehensive list of songs, sketches, dances, and specialties. The opening paragraph of each entry also contains information which does not appear in programs, such as opening and closing dates, change of venue, return engagements, and number of performances. In addition to the title index, complete song and principal performer indexes are also included, as well as a selected index of personal names of creators and secondary performers. No other resource—print or electronic—offers as many musicals as the Chronology of American Musical Theater.
For anyone wishing to trace the history of a Broadway musical, or to research any aspect of this vital popular art, this three-volume set is the best, and in many instances, the only place to start.
Released: 2002
Multi-Grammy-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth, and singer-songwriter/composer Gabriel Kahane have released “Put it in My Valise (Room 1832) [Radio Edit]” featuring Jodie Landau, from their collaborative LP Elevator Songs.
The full soundtrack is here for Disney's live-action Moana, featuring original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina, including the all-new song, “Along The Way.
Ghostlight Records has released the special 15th anniversary edition of the Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording for The Book of Mormon in stores and online.
Theatre Communications Group published The Michaels, the concluding double volume of Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson's Rhinebeck Panorama, closing a twelve-year theatrical journey documenting American family life.
The Bear Season 5 final soundtrack drops June 26 with 17 original tracks by Christian Lundberg, produced by Hans Zimmer.
World Circuit Records will release the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Grammy-winning album ' Buena Vista Social Club,' which will be reissued on 'pearl sunrise' color double-LP.
The Original Cast Recording of THE JACK OF HEARTS CLUB, the acclaimed new musical by Jon Richardson that became one of the most successful productions in the history of Provincetown Theater, will be released on Friday, July 17, 2026, on all major digital and streaming platforms.
West End and Broadway star Ruthie Henshall will release her new memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, detailed her secret relationship with Prince Edward in the 1980s.
“N-R-AMEN”, the second single from the upcoming musical comedy concept album, Good Guy with a Gun!, is now available to stream.
Tony Award-winning performer Lea Salonga releases “The Last Night of the World (The Pride Remix),” a new dance version of the beloved Miss Saigon ballad that was first introduced to audiences decades ago.
An EP recording of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, the musical by John and Elena Tafone, is now available on all streaming platforms, featuring Nik Walker, Mary Kate Morrissey, and a 25-piece orchestra.
GRAMMY-nominated composer Devonté Hynes, also known professionally as Blood Orange, has scored the soundtrack for Olivia Wilde's new film, The Invite, from A24.
Summer is here and there is no better time of year to soak up the sun and dive into a new book.
Nathan Abrams, a professor of film at Bangor University, has written a comprehensive biography of playwright David Mamet, examining how his Jewishness and Judaism shaped works like Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo.
Costume designer, artist, and scholar Kaiqi Zhang will present the book launch of The Art of Kaiqi Zhang in Los Angeles, showcasing a comprehensive overview of her artistic practice in recent years.
The title song, “Penelope,” from Penelope: Live at Joe’s Pub, starring Grace McLean, is available to stream now.
Reunions, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire, which had a run last year at New York City Center Stage II, has released an original cast recording of the musical.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) released an 'American Express' Club Remix, produced and composed by Tony-Nominated Orchestrator Lux Pyramid.
Composer/lyricist Maury Yeston – who recently celebrated his landmark 80th birthday – will join author Joshua Rosenblum and theater journalist Peter Filichia at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space.
Creative Goods is launching a brand new piece of merchandise to celebrate the Schmigadoon’s Best Musical Tony Award! Take the Schmigadoon picnic home with you with a realistic corn puddin candle.
Methuen Drama/Bloomsbury Publishing will publish Power and Greed: Monopolies, Mergers, and Cartels on the American Stage by Spencer Weber Waller.
Las Vegas-based ventriloquist and author April Brucker released '250 Years of American Ventriloquism,' tracing the art form's influence on comedy, broadcasting, and pop culture from the colonial era to the digital age.
Paper Pianos, the Pulitzer Prize finalist work co-created by Mary Kouyoumdjian and Nigel Maister, will receive its world premiere recording on Friday, August 7, 2026.
Good Guy With a Gun!, a satirical musical concept album featuring Chris Sullivan, Kimiko Glenn, Anthony Rapp, Jason Alexander, and Yvette Nicole Brown, has released its' first single, 'Liberal Love,' now available.
THE PANSY CRAZE, a six-episode queer history variety show hosted by Mason Alexander Park, is now streaming exclusively on Audible, featuring guests Laverne Cox, Lea DeLaria, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Evan Rachel Wood.
Stage Partners announced two new play commissions pairing playwrights Mandy Conner and Ian McWethy with the Educational Theatre Association and California Thespians to develop original one-act plays for school theatre programs.
Sir Stephen Hough's new solo piano album features his own arrangements with a selection of favorite piano works, including selections from Mary Poppins, Frozen, and more.
Michael, the hit biopic about Michael Jackson, is set to arrive on Premium Digital and Premium Video on Demand beginning June 9, where it will be available to rent or purchase.
Snow White & Me: A New Musical - Original Cast Recording, is now available on streaming and digital platforms.
