Broadway: The American Musical

A list of resources for more information about the Great White Way

By Mary Eileen O'Connor

Books

Check your local bookstore or library for the following titles, which are perfect for both Broadway aficionados and those new to the musical theater scene:

Broadway: The American Musical by Michael Kantor and Laurence Maslon This comprehensive companion to the six-part television series chronicles the history of musical theater in America, beginning with its roots at the turn of the 20th century up through its revitalization over the last decade. The text is accented by hundreds of photographs -- including production stills, rare rehearsal shots and publicity posters -- with sidebars highlighting memorable stars, shows and songs and essays by a "who's who" of Broadway producers, directors, composers, choreographers and actors.

At This Theatre: 100 Years of Broadway Shows, Stories and Stars edited by Louis Botto The theaters that are home to Broadway musicals are often as legendary as the productions and performers themselves. Botto, senior editor of Playbill Magazine, combed the publication's archives to compile this theater-by-theater tour of Broadway history. Revised and updated to include new and recently renovated theaters, the collection is illustrated with hundreds of photographs and Playbill program covers and includes fun facts, intriguing backstage stories and insightful commentary.

Red, Hot & Blue: A Smithsonian Salute to the American Musical by Amy Henderson and Dwight B. Bowers Produced by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of American History to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Broadway in 1996, this coffee-table book celebrates the roots and legacy of this distinctly American art form both in the theater and on the big screen. Taking its title from Cole Porter's 1936 musical, the book captures the magic of musicals through hundreds of gorgeous illustrations and photographs, synopses of some of the all-time great productions, backstage lore and theater trivia.

The Web

The list of Web sites devoted to Broadway news and information is as long as a chorus line, but here are a few of the best:

Playbill.com The ultimate resource for theater lovers, this online companion to the national theater magazine provides up-to-the-minute news and "Insider Info" for Broadway, off-Broadway and regional productions; a guide to what's currently playing and imminent openings; theater seating charts; and regular features such as "Brief Encounter" (interviews with the stars and creators of today's hottest shows); "Today in Theatre History;" and "Theatre Week in Review." Test your knowledge of the Great White Way through the interactive quizzes, and read Playbill's interview with filmmaker Michael Kantor.

Tonys.org Each spring, the theater community gathers to honor its best and brightest with the prestigious Tony Awards. The American Theatre Wing's official Web site contains a treasure trove of Tony information -- diaries chronicling the nominees' reflections leading up to the big night; video clips of past winners sharing special memories; a photo gallery; and Tony trivia. Need to know which musical won the Tony in 1996? Search the archives by category, actor, show title or year, and sign up to receive an e-mail when the 2005 nominees are announced.

Great Performances Although it's not technically a site for Broadway news and information, the Web companion for public television's longest-running performing arts program is nonetheless a fantastic resource for those who love musical theater. The site features a wealth of video and audio clips from the program's acclaimed productions -- including the Royal National Theatre's staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! starring Hugh Jackman (pictured) and Recording "The Producers": A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks; an interactive "Encyclopedia of Composers and Songwriters;" unique behind-the-scenes interviews; and lesson plans for educators.

CDs

Each 55-minute episode of the new series Broadway: The American Musical boasts 40 minutes of music. Below are a few collections of Broadway show tunes that will have you tapping your toes and singing along even after the series ends:

The Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need (RCA Victor) This CD has a rather ambitious title for a collection that only features 20 songs, but it delivers with some of the very best performances from the last 50 years, including Ethel Merman's Annie Get Your Gun classic "There's No Business Like Show Business" and the soaring duet "Wheels of a Dream" from the 1998 Tony winner Ragtime. A sequel of sorts, titled The Only Other Broadway CD You'll Ever Need, includes 19 terrific tunes missing from the first album and more informative liner notes about each production.

Broadway: The American Musical (Sony) Tony winner Joel Gray's rendition of George M. Cohan's rousing anthem "Give My Regards to Broadway" kicks off this lavish five-CD companion set to the six-part series, which features all of Broadway's best songs and some rare early tunes. For a smaller sampling, a single CD featuring 21 signature songs -- Best of Broadway: The American Musicals (Decca) -- is also available.

Broadway Today (Sony) Broadway musicals are back in a big way, as this collection of songs from the most successful productions of the last decade proves. The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, The Producers, and Hairspray (pictured) are all represented, and a bonus track from the Academy Award-winning film version of Chicago underscores Broadway's enduring influence on Hollywood.