How Musicals Work
If anyone understands the intricacies of musicals (I’m not entirely sure I do), this highly entertaining dissection of every aspect of that bewildering art form shows that Julian Woolford certainly does. --Sir Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King)
This comprehensive and thoughtful musical theatre guide covers everything one must consider in order to write successful musicals. It would take at least a decade to learn all of this on one’s own, making it an invaluable resource. --David Zippel, (lyricist of City of Angels, The Woman in White and Disney's Hercules)
Musicals are the most popular form of stage entertainment today, with the West End and Broadway filled with numerous long-running hits. They can be gloriously life-affirming spectaculars, uplifting both the hearts of audiences and the wallets of their writers. However, for every Wicked or Phantom of the Opera, there are countless casualties that didn’t fare quite as well. In this book, Julian Woolford delves into the musical theatre canon to elucidate why and how some musicals succeed, why others do not, and what aspiring writers should (and shouldn’t) do when considering writing their own.
Drawing from his experiences as a successful writer and director of musicals, as well 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 crafting a structure, to developing the book, music, and lyrics, and finally to the crucial rewriting process (as Sondheim famously stated, musical comedies aren’t written, they are rewritten), he offers clear guidance. He then navigates the reader through the process of getting a musical produced, providing invaluable advice on generating future productions and sustaining a career.
The book features dozens of exercises to help novice writers refine their craft and includes detailed case studies of renowned musicals such as Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, Miss Saigon, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, and Evita.
An essential guide for anyone writing or wanting to write a musical, How Musicals Work offers a fascinating insight for anyone interested in this art form or who has ever pondered what it takes to progress from first idea to first night.
