The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals

Dan Dietz

The 1970s was an exciting decade for musical theatre. Besides shows from legends Stephen Sondheim (Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita), old-fashioned musicals (Annie) and major revivals (No, No, Nanette) became hits. In addition to underappreciated shows like Over Here! and cult musicals such as The Grass Harp and Mack and Mabel, Broadway audiences were entertained by black musicals on the order of The Wiz and Raisin.

In The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1970s. In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Bette Midler, and Gilda Radner.

Each entry includes the following information:

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

Besides separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes, including a discography, filmography, and published scripts, as well as lists of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, black-themed shows, and Jewish-themed productions.

A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals provides readers with a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 596 • Trim: 8½ x 11

978-1-4422-5165-6 • Hardback • September 2015 • $166.00 • (£129.00)

978-1-4422-5166-3 • eBook • September 2015 • $157.50 • (£121.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Theater / Broadway & Musical Revue, Music / Genres & Styles / Musicals, Performing Arts / Reference

The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals

Hardback

eBook

Summary

The 1970s was an exciting decade for musical theatre. Besides shows from legends Stephen Sondheim (Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita), old-fashioned musicals (Annie) and major revivals (No, No, Nanette) became hits. In addition to underappreciated shows like Over Here! and cult musicals such as The Grass Harp and Mack and Mabel, Broadway audiences were entertained by black musicals on the order of The Wiz and Raisin.

In The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals, Dan Dietz examines in detail every musical that opened on Broadway during the 1970s. In addition to including every hit and flop that debuted during the decade, this book highlights revivals and personal-appearance revues with such performers as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Bette Midler, and Gilda Radner.

Each entry includes the following information:
- 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
Besides separate entries for each production, the book offers numerous appendixes, including a discography, filmography, and published scripts, as well as lists of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, black-themed shows, and Jewish-themed productions.

A treasure trove of information, The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals provides readers with a comprehensive view of each show. This significant resource will be of use to scholars, historians, and casual fans of one of the greatest decades in musical theatre history.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 596 • Trim: 8½ x 11

978-1-4422-5165-6 • Hardback • September 2015 • $166.00 • (£129.00)

978-1-4422-5166-3 • eBook • September 2015 • $157.50 • (£121.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Theater / Broadway & Musical Revue, Music / Genres & Styles / Musicals, Performing Arts / Reference

Author

Dan Dietz taught English and the history of modern drama at Western Carolina University, and is the author of Off Broadway Musicals, 1910-2007 (2010). Dietz is also the author The Complete Book of 1940s Broadway Musicals (2015), The Complete Book of 1950s Broadway Musicals (2014), and The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals (2014), all published by Rowman & Littlefield.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Alphabetical List of Shows

BROADWAY MUSICALS OF THE 1970s
1970 Season
1970-1971 Season
1971-1972 Season
1972-1973 Season
1973-1974 Season
1974-1975 Season
1975-1976 Season
1976-1977 Season
1977-1978 Season
1978-1979 Season
1979 Season

APPENDIXES
A Black-Themed Revues and Musicals
B Chronology by Season
C Chronology by Classification
D Discography
E Filmography
F Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas
G Jewish-Themed Revues and Musicals
H Other Productions
I Published Scripts
J Radio City Music Hall Productions
K Theatres

Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Reviews

Although not officially a series or a set, author Dietz continues his examination of Broadway musicals after publishing separate volumes covering the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. This 1970s installment examines 285 musicals that opened on Broadway during the decade. Included here are full-fledged musicals, personal appearances, reviews, and operas. Entries include the hosting theater, opening and closing dates, and Tony awards or nominations. Authors and composers, production personnel, cast, and number of acts are also detailed. A list of musical numbers with the principal performer follows. Some delightful commentary and unknown facts are also divulged, and Deitz provides a thorough synopsis of each show's plot as well as information about the production staff and performers. Critical reception and review references are also provided. Deitz manages to include information on cast recordings and movie or video/DVD releases, some rather rare and hard to come by, as well as information on published scripts and librettos. Numerous appendixes finish out the volume, along with a detailed index and bibliography. This volume is a robust addition to the collection of works covering Broadway musicals decade by decade. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.
— Choice Reviews

The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals

Dan Dietz

The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals

ALSO AVAILABLE