Laurence Maslon

Michael Kantor

A tie-in to a PBS documentary series explores the seventy-year history of the superheroes who have engaged fans for generations, drawing on interviews with leading contributors to examine the culture and context of the superhero.

Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture

Superheroes!

Along with jazz and abstract expressionism, the Broadway musical is one of the few uniquely American art forms. A companion to the six-part PBS documentary series, BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL is the first comprehensive history of the musical, from its roots at the turn of the 20th century through the smashing successes of the new millennium. The compelling, in-depth text is lavishly illustrated with a treasure trove of photographs, sheet-music covers, posters, scenic renderings, production stills, rehearsal shots, and caricatures, many previously unpublished. Complementing the narrative are lively sidebars that highlight the stars, the shows, and the songs--the key ingredients that make the musical great. Each chapter also included essays written by some of Broadway's most fascinating luminaries, past and present. An entertaining amalgam of unpublished material, candid and production photographs, and a trunkful of anecdotes and Broadway lore, BROADWAY will appeal to eighth-graders in their first high school musical as well as to connoisseurs of the art form.

The American Musical

Broadway

Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, the Avengers, the X-Men, Watchmen, and more: the companion volume to the PBS documentary series of the same name that tells the story of the superhero in American popular culture. Together again for the first time, here come the greatest comic book superheroes ever assembled between two covers: down from the heavens—Superman and the Mighty Thor—or swinging over rooftops—the Batman and Spider-Man; star-spangled, like Captain America and Wonder Woman, or clad in darkness, like the Shadow and Spawn; facing down super-villains on their own, like the Flash and the Punisher or gathered together in a team of champions, like the Avengers and the X-Men! Based on the three-part PBS documentary series Superheroes, this companion volume chronicles the never-ending battle of the comic book industry, its greatest creators, and its greatest creations. Covering the effect of superheroes on American culture—in print, on film and television, and in digital media—and the effect of American culture on its superheroes, Superheroes: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture appeals to readers of all ages, from the casual observer of the phenomenon to the most exacting fan of the genre. Drawing from more than 50 new interviews conducted expressly for Superheroes!—creators from Stan Lee to Grant Morrison, commentators from Michael Chabon to Jules Feiffer, actors from Adam West to Lynda Carter, and filmmakers such as Zach Snyder—this is an up-to-the-minute narrative history of the superhero, from the comic strip adventurers of the Great Depression, up to the blockbuster CGI movie superstars of the 21st Century. Featuring more than 500 full-color comic book panels, covers, sketches, photographs of both essential and rare artwork, Superheroes is the definitive story of this powerful presence in pop culture.

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Recounts the history of the Von Trapp family, traces the evolution of the popular musical from stage to screen, and describes the contributions of its composers, writers, and performers.

The Sound of Music Companion

Irene Sankoff

David Hein

The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of a small town that welcomed the world. On September 11, 2001, 38 planes and 6,579 passengers were forced to land in the provincial town of Gander, Newfoundland. The local residents opened their arms to the displaced visitors, offering food, shelter, and friendship. In the days that followed, cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Come From Away: Welcome to the Rock is the ultimate companion piece to Irene Sankoff and David Hein's smash-hit musical based on that extraordinary experience. Featuring the complete book and lyrics for the first time in print, a foreword by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and exclusive photos of the company and physical production, this essential companion also includes original interviews with passengers, Gander residents, and the actors who portray them. The narrative by theater historian Laurence Maslon details the events of that memorable and challenging week and also traces the musical's development from the ten-year reunion of residents and airline passengers in Gander, where the idea for the musical was born, to the global phenomenon it is today. Come From Away: Welcome to the Rock gives an unprecedented look behind the curtain and demonstrates why the story has touched so many so deeply: Because we come from everywhere, we all come from away.

Come From Away

Broadway has always raised a glass to celebrate itself—what’s an opening night without popping the cork of a bottle of Champagne? I’ll Drink to That! Broadway’s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired is a celebration of theatrical tradition, a souvenir of magic moments on stage, and a practical guide to concocting one-of-a-kind craft cocktail recipes inspired by the classics of the American stage. I’ll Drink to That! expertly mixes clever cocktails that pay homage to unforgettable Broadway shows--such as the Rainbow High from Evita and the Sidecar Named Desire--with authentic recipes for drinks that played supporting roles in beloved shows--like the legendary Vodka Stinger from Company--and shakes it up with a history of the cocktail on Broadway, detailed by one of the leading musical theater historians, Laurence Maslon. Featured throughout are fantastic images—from intoxicating images of classic shows to portraits of effervescent stage celebrities to vintage liquor ads featuring Broadway stars. Of course, the drinks themselves get their own spotlight, photographed by the legendary Broadway photographer Joan Marcus at the iconic Sardi’s restaurant, home to hundreds of opening nights over the past century. With drinks ranging from the South Pacific-inspired Bali Ha’i Ma’i Ta’i to Mame’s Cornhusker mint julep to the Hamilton My Shot, and illustrated with a wide range of rare drawings, posters, and advertisements,, I'll Drink to That! is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the theater, enjoys an elegant bend of the elbow, and wants to be part of a long and bubbly theatrical history. 30 DRINK RECIPES: Dozens of delicious drink recipes from pre-theater cocktails to cozy after-theater toddies to celebratory toasts guaranteed to earn a standing ovation! COCKTAILS WITH A TWIST: Clever takes on Broadways shows and show tunes, including the Toast of Mayfair (Cabaret), the Bloody Sweeney (Sweeney Todd), and the Dead Thing (Beetlejuice). STARS OF THE SHOW: Classic recipes for drinks that feature center stage in famous plays and musicals, such as the Vodka Stinger from Company and the Sazerac from State of the Union. BROADWAY’S BUBBLY HISTORY: Dive deep into dozens of stories and anecdotes about how cocktails and drinking played a role in creating some of Broadway’s greatest hits. PHOTOS BY A LEGEND IN A LEGENDARY PLACE: Drinks photographed by the legendary Broadway photographer Joan Marcus in Broadway’s most famous theater restaurant, Sardi’s.

Broadway's Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired

I’ll Drink to That!

We’d like to propose a toast…to Broadway! Learn the spirited history of drinking on stage (and off) and how to make cocktails inspired by the most iconic shows from Broadway. Broadway has always raised a glass to celebrate itself—what’s an opening night without popping the cork of a bottle of Champagne? I’ll Drink to That! Broadway’s Legendary Stars, Classic Shows, and the Cocktails They Inspired is a celebration of theatrical tradition, a souvenir of magic moments on stage, and a practical guide to concocting one-of-a-kind craft cocktail recipes inspired by the classics of the American stage. I’ll Drink to That! expertly mixes clever cocktails that pay homage to unforgettable Broadway shows--such as the Rainbow High from Evita and the Sidecar Named Desire--with authentic recipes for drinks that played supporting roles in beloved shows--like the legendary Vodka Stinger from Company--and shakes it up with a history of the cocktail on Broadway, detailed by one of the leading musical theater historians, Laurence Maslon. Featured throughout are fantastic images—from intoxicating images of classic shows to portraits of effervescent stage celebrities to vintage liquor ads featuring Broadway stars. Of course, the drinks themselves get their own spotlight, photographed by the legendary Broadway photographer Joan Marcus at the iconic Sardi’s restaurant, home to hundreds of opening nights over the past century. With drinks ranging from the South Pacific-inspired Bali Ha’i Ma’i Ta’i to Mame’s Cornhusker mint julep to the Hamilton My Shot, and illustrated with a wide range of rare drawings, posters, and advertisements,, I'll Drink to That! is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the theater, enjoys an elegant bend of the elbow, and wants to be part of a long and bubbly theatrical history. 30 DRINK RECIPES: Dozens of delicious drink recipes from pre-theater cocktails to cozy after-theater toddies to celebratory toasts guaranteed to earn a standing ovation! COCKTAILS WITH A TWIST: Clever takes on Broadways shows and show tunes, including the Toast of Mayfair (Cabaret), the Bloody Sweeney (Sweeney Todd), and the Dead Thing (Beetlejuice). STARS OF THE SHOW: Classic recipes for drinks that feature center stage in famous plays and musicals, such as the Vodka Stinger from Company and the Sazerac from State of the Union. BROADWAY’S BUBBLY HISTORY: Dive deep into dozens of stories and anecdotes about how cocktails and drinking played a role in creating some of Broadway’s greatest hits. PHOTOS BY A LEGEND IN A LEGENDARY PLACE: Drinks photographed by the legendary Broadway photographer Joan Marcus in Broadway’s most famous theater restaurant, Sardi’s.

I'll Drink to That!

From the most popular routines and the most ingenious physical shtick to the snappiest wisecracks and the most biting satire of the last century, Make 'Em Laugh illuminates who we are as a nation by exploring what makes us laugh, and why. Authors Laurence Maslon and Michael Kantor draw on countless sources to chronicle the past century of American comedy and the geniuses who created and performed it-melding biography, American history, and a lotta laughs into an exuberant, important book. Each of the six chapters focuses a different style or archetype of comedy, from the slapstick pratfalls of Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball through the wiseguy put-downs of Groucho Marx and Larry David, to the incendiary bombshells of Mae West and Richard Pryor . And at every turn the significance of these comedians-smashing social boundaries, challenging the definition of good taste, speaking the truth to the powerful-is vividly tangible. Make 'Em Laugh is more than a compendium of American comic genius; it is a window onto the way comedy both reflects the world and changes it-one laugh at a time. Starting from the groundbreaking PBS series, the authors have gone deeper into the works and lives of America's great comic artists, with biographical portraits, archival materials, cultural overviews, and rare photos. Brilliantly illustrated, with insights (and jokes) from comedians, writers and producers, along with film, radio, television, and theater historians, Make 'Em Laugh is an indispensible, definitive book about comedy in America.

The Funny Business of America

Make 'Em Laugh

Following the successful The Sound of Music Companion, comes The South Pacific Companion, the essential guide and history for the discerning musical lover and SP fanatic. 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of this wonderful film. This fascinating book covers the history of the stage show and its historical context. World War II was fresh in the world's minds when this show first opened on Broadway - only 4 years after the end of the war - and this gave the film an immensely poignant immediacy. Deservedly, both the novel and the musical of South Pacific won the Pulitzer Prize. South Pacific returns to the UK stage in summer 2007 with a 10 month tour, starring Helena Blackman (from How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria) and Dave Willetts. In 2008 the musical's first ever Broadway revival is to open at the Lincoln Center in April. With extensive images from the film, plus many never seen before photographs from the original stage show, this is a beautiful and indispensable guide to South Pacific. Wordcount: 35,000 words Other Companion titles: Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Phantom of the Opera Companion 9781862057630 The Sound of Music Companion 9781862057500 The Sound of Music Companion Collection with CD 9781862057777 !-- bullets -- 2008 sees the first US revival on Broadway 50th anniversary of the much loved film Places the story in the wider context of a world at war Many great images from the ever popular film

The South Pacific Companion

From the most popular routines and the most ingenious physical shtick to the snappiest wisecracks and the most biting satire of the last century, MAKE 'EM LAUGH illuminates who we are as a nation by exploring what makes us laugh, and why. Authors Laurence Maslon and Michael Kantor draw on countless sources to chronicle the past century of American comedy and the geniuses who created and performed it-melding biography, American history, and a lotta laughs into an exuberant, important book. Each of the six chapters focuses a different style or archetype of comedy, from the slapstick pratfalls of Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball through the wiseguy put-downs of Groucho Marx and Larry David, to the incendiary bombshells of Mae West and Richard Pryor . And at every turn the significance of these comedians-smashing social boundaries, challenging the definition of good taste, speaking the truth to the powerful-is vividly tangible. MAKE 'EM LAUGH is more than a compendium of American comic genius; it is a window onto the way comedy both reflects the world and changes it-one laugh at a time. Starting from the groundbreaking PBS series, the authors have gone deeper into the works and lives of America's great comic artists, with biographical portraits, archival materials, cultural overviews, and rare photos. Brilliantly illustrated, with insights (and jokes) from comedians, writers and producers, along with film, radio, television, and theater historians, MAKE 'EM LAUGH is an indispensible, definitive book about comedy in America.

The music of Broadway is one of America's most unique and popular calling cards. In Broadway to Main Street: How Show Tunes Enchanted America, author Laurence Maslon tells the story of how the most beloved songs of the American Musical Theater made their way from the Theater District to living rooms across the country. The crossroads where the music of Broadway meets popular culture is an expansive and pervasive juncture throughout most of the twentieth century--from sheet music to radio broadcasts to popular and original cast recordings--and continues to influence culture today through television, streaming, and the Internet. The original Broadway cast album--from the 78 rpm recording of Oklahoma! to the digital download of Hamilton--is one of the most successful, yet undervalued, genres in the history of popular recording. The challenge of capturing musical narrative with limited technology inspired the imagination of both the recording industry and millions of listeners: between 1949 and 1969, fifteen different original cast albums hit number one on the popular music charts, ultimately tallying more weeks at number one than all of the albums by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles combined. The history of Broadway music is also the history of American popular music; the technological, commercial, and marketing forces of communications and media over the last century were inextricably bound up in the enterprise of bringing the musical gems of New York's Theater District to living rooms along Main Streets across the nation. Featuring new interviews with Stephen Schwartz, Chita Rivera, Steve Lawrence, and prominent record producers and music critics, the story of this commercial and emotional phenomenon is told here in full--from the imprimatur of sheet music from Broadway in the early 20th century to the renaissance of Broadway music in the digital age, folding in the immense impact of show music on American culture and in the context of the recording industry, popular tastes, and our shared national identity. A book which connects cherished cultural artifacts to the emotional narratives at the core of American popular music, Broadway to Main Street: How Show Tunes Enchanted America is an ideal companion for all fans of American musical theater and popular music.

Laurence Maslon

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