Broadway Musical: A Critical And Musical Survey; Author: Swain, Joseph P.; Paperback

Author: Swain, Joseph P.
Edition #2; Paperback; Index, Footnotes
528 pages
Published: January 2003
Lexington Books
ISBN: 0810843765

To see a Broadway musical is to experience how a drama, using melody, harmony, and rhythm, evokes the emotion needed to perpetuate a story line. Without music, many of these plays would notsucceed, failing to convey the intended message. This new edition of Swain's classic book reveals how a musical drama achieves plot movement, character development and conflict through strategic placement of song and music in twenty musical plays. Unlike critical literature that has simply explored theatrical style and production histories, this survey focuses mainly on the power of music. Illustrated with more than 150 musical excerpts and essays, Swain includes the latest research and viewpoints of contemporary critics, offering insight into dramatic expression and how renowned composers incThis edition reveals how a musical drama achieves plot movement, character development and conflict through strategic placement of song and music in twenty musical plays. this book focuses maily on the power of music and is illustrated with more than 150 musical excerpts and essays.