Reviews
"Directors and the New Musical Dramais a valuable addition to musical theatre history that both scholars and enthusiasts can enjoy. It is a work of prolegomenon that invites historians to reassess the merits of British invasion shows that have long been considered mere cash cows and tourist traps. . . her analyses of the director's work include detailed accounts of the creative process ands the final production." The reviewer concludes that her complete discussion of all elements in the creative/production process "adds to the book's accessibility and potentially broad interest."--Theatre Journal "Lundskaer-Nielsen's book benefits from her wide-ranging insight not only into the repertory of Broadway, the West End and subsidized, non-profit and small-scale theatres, but also into the cultural mindset of British and American audiences. Her residency in both New York and London during the 1990s has enabled her to gain a privileged insight into developments in musical theatre, and her self-defined Anglo-American perspective' (p. 1) gives a uniquely informed overview of the currency between West End and Broadway markets. It is informed by careful analysis of theatre reviews, always contextualized as cultural produces of the times, places and audiences they represent, and the transcripts of several interviews are included, giving access to the thoughts of directors and echoing the only other real book to have conducted this type of survey in the past, Lawrence Thelen'sThe ShowMakers(Routledge, 2002). Throughout, her tone is balanced, perceptive and informed, and the many sanguine comments she makes about British and American theatre, dominant discourses, cultural consumption and creativity within a commercial idiom are refreshing and thought-provoking."--Theatre Research International"Lundskaer-Nielsen has provided a lucid, informed, and (thankfully) non-partisan look at the ‘British Invasion', which will do much to provide a new and much-desired context to this phenomenon. Her examination of the roots of the ‘megamusical' and its tremendous effect on both sides of the Atlantic will be fascinating to anyone interested in popular culture, the craft of the director, Anglo-American relations--let alone, of course, the commercial and artistic vagaries of the musical theater."--Laurence Maslon, Associate Arts Professor, New York University, co-author (with Michael Kantor) ofBroadway: The American Musical, and author ofThe Sound of Music Companion"I was impressed with the scope of Lundskaer-Nielsen's study, the range and depth of her knowledge about theatre and musical theatre, and the connections she is able to make among disparate works and influences. Her premise that the directors of 'musical dramas' have been relatively ignored, while the choreographer-directors have been accorded a central place in the historical narrative of musical theatre is sound and meticulously developed. Her analyses are cogent, her conclusions perceptive and valid."--Barbara Wallace Grossman, Chair, Department of Drama and Dance, Tufts University"As the first book to concentrate on the director's contribution to the collaborative creation of the modern musical, this volume presents a wise and balanced approach to developments in Anglo-American musical theatre over the last three decades. Unlike the many opinionated and emotive accounts of the decline of the Broadway musical and the corresponding rise of the so-called ‘megamusical' in the 1980s, it constitutes a rare example in the field of a book that is both accessible to the average reader while offering a sophisticated and carefully researched re-appraisal of the recent history and aesthetics of the genre."--Robert Gordon, Professor of Drama, Goldsmiths College, Univer, "Lundskaer-Nielsen has provided a lucid, informed, and (thankfully) non-partisan look at the 'British Invasion', which will do much to provide a new and much-desired context to this phenomenon. Her examination of the roots of the 'megamusical' and its tremendous effect on both sides of the Atlantic will be fascinating to anyone interested in popular culture, the craft of the director, Anglo-American relations--let alone, of course, the commercial and artistic vagaries of the musical theater."--Laurence Maslon, Associate Arts Professor, New York University, co-author (with Michael Kantor) ofBroadway: The American Musical, and author ofThe Sound of Music Companion "I was impressed with the scope of Lundskaer-Nielsen's study, the range and depth of her knowledge about theatre and musical theatre, and the connections she is able to make among disparate works and influences. Her premise that the directors of 'musical dramas' have been relatively ignored, while the choreographer-directors have been accorded a central place in the historical narrative of musical theatre is sound and meticulously developed. Her analyses are cogent, her conclusions perceptive and valid."--Barbara Wallace Grossman, Chair, Department of Drama and Dance, Tufts University "As the first book to concentrate on the director's contribution to the collaborative creation of the modern musical, this volume presents a wise and balanced approach to developments in Anglo-American musical theatre over the last three decades. Unlike the many opinionated and emotive accounts of the decline of the Broadway musical and the corresponding rise of the so-called 'megamusical' in the 1980s, it constitutes a rare example in the field of a book that is both accessible to the average reader while offering a sophisticated and carefully researched re-appraisal of the recent history and aesthetics of the genre."--Robert Gordon, Professor of Drama, Goldsmiths College, University of London
