How Musicals Work

And How to Write Your Own

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Music Styles, Musicals, Theatre, Broadway & Musical Revue, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Writing & Publishing, Composition & Creative Writing
Cover of the book How Musicals Work by Julian Woolford, Nick Hern Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Julian Woolford ISBN: 9781780011943
Publisher: Nick Hern Books Publication: May 16, 2013
Imprint: Nick Hern Books Language: English
Author: Julian Woolford
ISBN: 9781780011943
Publisher: Nick Hern Books
Publication: May 16, 2013
Imprint: Nick Hern Books
Language: English

Musicals are the most popular form of stage entertainment today, with the West End and Broadway dominated by numerous long-running hits. But for every Wicked or Phantom of the Opera, there are dozens of casualties that didn't fare quite so well. In this book, Julian Woolford explores the musical-theatre canon to explain why and how some musicals work, why some don't, and what you should (and shouldn't) do if you're thinking of writing your own.

Drawing on his experience as a successful writer and director of musicals, and as a lecturer in writing musicals at the University of London, Woolford outlines every step of the creative process, from hatching the initial idea and developing a structure for the work, through creating the book, the music and the lyrics, and on to the crucial process of rewriting. He then guides the reader through getting a musical produced, with invaluable advice about generating future productions and sustaining a career.

The book includes dozens of exercises to assist the novice writer in developing their craft, and detailed case studies of well-known musicals such as Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Miss Saigon, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspel and Evita.

An essential guide for any writers (or would-be writers) of musicals, How Musicals Work is a fascinating insight for anyone interested in the art form or who has ever wondered what it takes to get from first idea to first night.

'If anyone knows how musicals work (I'm not sure I do), this highly entertaining dissection of every aspect of that bewildering art form reveals that Julian Woolford does.' Tim Rice

'Excellent... a useful source of information' The Stage

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Musicals are the most popular form of stage entertainment today, with the West End and Broadway dominated by numerous long-running hits. But for every Wicked or Phantom of the Opera, there are dozens of casualties that didn't fare quite so well. In this book, Julian Woolford explores the musical-theatre canon to explain why and how some musicals work, why some don't, and what you should (and shouldn't) do if you're thinking of writing your own.

Drawing on his experience as a successful writer and director of musicals, and as a lecturer in writing musicals at the University of London, Woolford outlines every step of the creative process, from hatching the initial idea and developing a structure for the work, through creating the book, the music and the lyrics, and on to the crucial process of rewriting. He then guides the reader through getting a musical produced, with invaluable advice about generating future productions and sustaining a career.

The book includes dozens of exercises to assist the novice writer in developing their craft, and detailed case studies of well-known musicals such as Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Miss Saigon, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspel and Evita.

An essential guide for any writers (or would-be writers) of musicals, How Musicals Work is a fascinating insight for anyone interested in the art form or who has ever wondered what it takes to get from first idea to first night.

'If anyone knows how musicals work (I'm not sure I do), this highly entertaining dissection of every aspect of that bewildering art form reveals that Julian Woolford does.' Tim Rice

'Excellent... a useful source of information' The Stage

More books from Nick Hern Books

Cover of the book Talking Theatre by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book The Writer (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Me, As a Penguin (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book The Acting Book by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Kenneth Tynan: Theatre Writings by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Push Up (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Fanny & Faggot (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Christmas is Miles Away (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Far Away by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Creating Worlds by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book The Night Heron (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Blue Sky (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Drama Menu by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Arabian Nightmares (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
Cover of the book Open (NHB Modern Plays) by Julian Woolford
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy