The Sound of Musicals

The world of musicals is beautiful, complex, hilarious, hard-headed, and improbable. It is as hard to make a great musical as it is to fly a spaceship to the moon and there are at least as many moving parts. Why is a great musical as significant a theatrical achievement as, say, King Lear?In this entertaining new title in Oberon Masters Series, Ruth Leon tells all about the composers, the lyricists, the directors and the pioneers of the stage musical on both sides of the Atlantic while trying to reveal the truth behind the eternal question - what are musicals and why do we love them?

‘A whirlwind tour through musical theatre history... This book may be small but, like all the great shows about which Leon writes, it is perfectly formed’ - Jewish Chronicle

‘A slim and succinct account of the handful of 20th century musicals which, in Leon’s very well informed and experienced opinion, have changed the genre forever... I learned a great deal. Buy it.’ – The Stage

‘Light-hearted but informative… with an air of authority… is also beautifully bound: a slim, smart, slightly old-fashioned looking hardback.’ - What’s on stage.com

‘Ruth Leon has the ability to capture the essence of each musical, which is the real strength of pocket-sized hardback… a lovely little volume that will delight any devotee of this genre’ - British Theatre Guide

‘A must for any performing arts or drama student.’ - Ink Pellet