Synopsis:

With hit TV shows picking the leads in productions of "Oliver!" and "The Sound Of Music", and smash musicals like "Hairspray" and "Wicked all the West End" rage, musical theater is as popular as it's ever been. James Inverne provides an indispensable guide to his top one hundred greatest shows of all time - and ten of the worst. Whether you know your Pal Joey from "The Producers", your West Side Story from your Witch Witch, the "Faber Pocket Guide To Musicals" is packed with entertaining behind-the-scenes stories, essential song lists and comprehensive recording guides. Did you know, for instance, that one of the best recordings of Les Miserables is in Hebrew? Or that the Mel Brooks wasn't the first person to want to make a musical of "The Producers" (it was Eric Idle)? Or the ridiculous story of the huge purpose-built theater constructed in Holland to house a flop about Grace Kelly? Key features include: the hundred greatest musicals Numbers to listen for Snapshot plot summaries; ten terrible musicals; and, recommended recordings. James Inverne has been writing about musical theater for years and brings copious knowledge, passion for the subject and a sense of fun to a genre that continues to entertain us all. Make the most of the musicals with this vital book.