In 2004; the original Broadway production of Wicked earned 10 Tony nominations; including best musical. Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire; the show continues to run on Broadway and has touring companies throughout the United States and around the world. In Wicked: A Musical Biography; author Paul Laird explores the creation of this popular Broadway musical through an examination of draft scripts; interviews with major figures; and the study of primary musical sources such as sketches; drafts; and completed musical scores.Laird brings together an impressive amount of detail on the creation of Wicked; including a look at Maguires novel; as well as the original source material; The Wizard of Oz. This volume also offers a history of the shows genesis along with examinations of the draft scenarios and scripts that demonstrate the shows development. Laird also explores Stephen Schwartzs life and work; providing an analysis of the composer and lyricists work on the show through song drafts; sketches; and musical examples. Laird also surveys the shows critical reception in New York and London; noting how many critics failed to appreciate its qualities or anticipate its great success. The unusual nature of Wickeds storymdash;dominated by two strong female leadsmdash;is also placed in the context of Broadway history. A unique look into a successful Broadway production; Wicked: A Musical Biography will be of interest to musicologists; theatre scholars; students; and general readers alike.
#3055796 in eBooks 2010-11-01 2010-11-01File Name: B0054I169W
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This one is boringBy thatbookI have the 2 previous versions of this book and find this one to be boring. I have seen some of this content on other books before. so not that original.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy B. LinderGreat inspiration of great design.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. 1000 More...By Ms. AnitaI wish there were a full thousand greetings of what I was interested in. There was a good portion of the back half of the book that was dedicated to posters and invitations; while those are greetings they werent what I expected. Fun to look and and great for ideas! Great compliment to the initial 1000 greetings book.
