While the 1960s may have been a decade of significant upheaval in America, it was also one of the richest periods in musical theatre history. Shows produced on Broadway during this time include such classics as Bye, Bye Birdie; Cabaret; Camelot; Hello Dolly!; Fiddler on the Roof; How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying; Oliver!; and Man of La Mancha. Performers such as Dick Van Dyke, Anthony Newley, Jerry Orbach, and Barbara Streisand made their marks, and other talents—such as Bob Fosse, John Kander, Fred Ebb, Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe, Jerome Robbins, and Stephen Sondheim—also contributed to shows.
In The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines every musical and revue that opened on Broadway during the 1960s. In addition to providing details on every hit and flop, Dietz includes revivals and one-man and one-woman shows that centered on stars like Jack Benny, Maurice Chevalier, Marlene Dietrich, Danny Kaye, Yves Montand, and Lena Horne.
Each entry consists of:
Opening and closing dates
Plot summaries
Cast members
Number of performances
Names of all important personnel, including writers, composers, directors, choreographers, producers, and musical directors
Musical numbers and the names of performers who introduced the songs
Production data, including information about tryouts
Source material
Critical commentary
Tony awards and nominations
Details about London and other foreign productions
In addition to entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes: a discography, film and television versions, published scripts, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and lists of productions by the New York City Center Light Opera Company, the New York City Opera Company, and the Music Theatre of Lincoln Center. A treasure trove of information,this significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.
Dan Dietz taught English and the history of modern drama at Western Carolina University, and later served with the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Education Department. He is the author of Off-Broadway Musicals, 1910-2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows (2010).
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction Broadway Musicals of the 1960s 1959–1960 Season 1960–1961 Season 1961–1962 Season 1962–1963 Season 1963–1964 Season 1964–1965 Season 1965–1966 Season 1966–1967 Season 1967–1968 Season 1968–1969 Season 1969–1970 Season Appendixes A. Alphabetical Listing B. Chronology (By Season) C. Chronology (By Classification) D. Discography E. Filmography F. Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta Productions G. New York City Center Light Opera Company Productions H. New York City Opera Company Productions I. Music Theatre of Lincoln Center Productions J. Other Operetta Productions K. Published Scripts L. Theatres Bibliography Index About the Author