Product Description

A classic updated to include the developments of the 1990s-the first book to explore in detail how to create a Broadway musical

Brimming with advice and techniques, this essential reference for book and song writers clearly explains the fundamentals of the three crafts of a musical-book, music, and lyrics. Using copious examples from classic shows, Frankel has created the quintessential musical writers' how-to. Among the topics:

- Definitions of musical theater
- Differences between musical books and straight plays and between poetry and lyrics
- What a score is and how it develops
- How to write for the voice
- How to audition musicals for producers

With a new introduction and revised text, Frankel's work is ready to guide a new generation of aspiring writers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #166964 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"Cannot be overlooked by those interested in a musical theater career." -- Variety

"Detailed analysis [that] will assist both composers and writers." -- Backstage

About the Author
Aaron Frankel has directed over 100 musicals and plays, some 20 of them new, in addition to collaborating as a writer both on and off Broadway. He has taught at ten universities, including Columbia University, NYU, and the New School, where he has led a musical theater writing workshop for more than thirty years. He lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Hallelujah It's Back In Print!
Finally this fabulous book is back in print. If you are writing a musical, thinking about writing a musical or simply interested in how musicals are put together, get your hands on this book. It has got to be the clearest, most straight talkin', no bull approach to musical theatre writing I've read. It'll get you thinking and keep you writing!

Great! It gives you the fundementals to writing a musical.
I have taken Aaron Frankel's class at the New School in NYC and used his book along with it. It has been a very interesting process for me to learn how to write a musical (I thought I was a novelist) and his book has been extremely helpful. I now know a lot more about putting the fundementals in place for a successful musical...and I get the feeling that if I ever go back to writing novels it will make me a better novelist as well. His book is relatively brief, but it is thick with advice and techniques. It covers everything from the making of a good story, to lyric writing. I strongly reccomend it. I understand that he is in the process of working with his publisher on a reprint. I have found copies of his book in retail book stores so at this moment it is not completely sold out.

Writing the Broadway Musical
Aaron Frankel writes with the voice of helpful and comprehensive experience. He is a writer - and teacher - of the highest order, and there are important points made in this book that are of great value to actors, directors and producers, as well as the playwrights for whom the book is primarily intended. Mr. Frankel is one of the few authors who expresses himself with both a clear, accessible style and a with a talent for engaging the reader every step of the way.