Jukebox Musicals : Crazy for You to MJ the Musical (Essential Musicals)

What is meant by the phrase "Jukebox Musical"? What does Crazy for You have in common with Mamma Mia! and Moulin Rouge? Why do audiences love - and critics tolerate - Jukebox Musicals? Jukebox Musicals explores a style of show that’s dominated Broadway for the better part of two decades. Through a chronological look at the development of long-running hits, like Mamma Mia! and Jersey Boys, this book traces the Jukebox Musical from when it was an exception on Broadway to when it became the rule. Examining the origins and reception for ten of these shows, this volume offers an exploration of one of the most divisive sub-genres of the musical form. Published in Methuen Drama's Essential Musicals series, this book is perfect for students of Musical Theatre, drawing together different resources to dig into the backstories of Broadway’s biggest hits and mining the historical record for nuggets of information that illuminate our understanding and enhance our enjoyment of Musical Theatre’s unique brand of magic.