Synopses & Reviews
This volume surveys the development of the American musical during the 20th century by focusing on one of the most important yet least recognized members of the creative team: the lyricist. From George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin through Oscar Hammerstein II, Alan Jay Lerner, Ira Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, and others,
Word Crazy examines both well-known and obscure writers who have shaped one of America's most beloved theatrical forms. The author offers an overview of each lyricist's career and works and evaluates his or her strengths, weaknesses, patterns, temperament, and personal vision. The result is an unusual critical history of the Broadway musical that will be of significant interest to students of the theatre as well as to anyone who wishes to learn more about the unique craft of the theatre lyricist.
Beginning with George M. Cohan, the American theatre's first important lyricist, and continuing up into the 1980s, the book presents an overall history of the musical theatre during this century. Hischak explores the various trends and movements, from the early operettas through the arrival of jazz, and up through the conceptual musicals of the last 30 years. The treatment is chronological with most chapters focusing on a single lyricist. A bibliography and index complete the volume. By reviewing the careers and works of America's most influential theatre lyricists, Hischak offers a fresh new perspective on the evolution of musical theatre in America.
Review
Hischak....presents a lively and insightful analysis of the careers and major works of Broadway's most notable lyricists--Cohan, Berlin, Gershwin, Lerner, Harnick and others.... Hischak is able... to analyze numerous examples, to capture the spirit of the works he discusses, and illuminate the story of this heretofore little-appreciated aspect of musical theater.Publisher's Weekly
Review
For a general survey of Broadway lyricists, [this] book is a fine first step and will be informative reading for the general reader and useful for scholars who are working in the area of the contemporary musical.Journal of American Culture
Synopsis
Offering critical interpretations of the lives and works of more than 18 important lyricists, Word Crazy delivers the full story behind the most popular Broadway tunes. It examines more than 90 years of American musical theater, the broad trends and the telling details: how unpretentious, chatty lyrics succeeded in capturing American audiences sated with European romanticism; how lyrics came to include character and plot development; the emergence of the "book" musical, the musical play, and the conceptual musicals of recent years. It details the dreams, disappointments and achievements of America's favorite songwriters and lyricists--George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Oscar Hammerstein II, Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Alan Jay Lerner, Stephen Sondheim, and more.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [209]-212) and index.
About the Author
THOMAS S. HISCHAK is Associate Professor of Theatre History and Criticism at State University of New York--Cortland. He has published numerous plays.
Table of Contents
Whistling the Lyrics: An Introduction
The Man Who Owned Broadway: George M. Cohan
As Thousands Cheered: Irving Berlin
Going Up: Otto Harbach
Leave It To Plum: P. G. Wodehouse
No More Make-Believe: Oscar Hammerstein II
Of Words I Sing: Ira Gershwin
Anything Goes: Cole Porter
On His Toes: Lorenz Hart
On and Off the Bandwagon: Howard Dietz and Dorothy Fields
Yip's Rainbow: E. Y. Harburg
Also in the 1920s and 1930s
Almost Like Being in Love: Alan Jay Lerner
Two on the Aisle: Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Make a Miracle: Frank Loesser
Something's Coming: Stephen Sondheim
Tradition: Sheldon Harnick
Also in the 1940s and 1950s
Sunday Clothes: Jerry Herman
Trying to Remember: Tom Jones and Lee Adams
A Quiet Thing: Fred Ebb
Also in the 1960s and 1970s
The Writing on the Wall: The 1980s
Bibliography
Index