Directors and the New Musical Drama: British and American Musical Theatre in the 1980s and 90s (Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History)

__Directors and the New Musical Drama__ offers a fresh perspective on the dramatic shifts in musical theatre in the 1980s and 90s. Miranda Lundskaer-Nielsen explores the cultural differences between British and American musicals, examines their critical reception, and demonstrates the crucial role of British and American directors in developing musical dramas that have initiated change in the parameters of this popular art form. Starting with the provocative idea of the “British Invasion,” this volume includes analysis of groundbreaking musicals such as __Sunday in the Park with George__, __Les Mis?rables__ and __Jelly’s Last Jam,__ as well as interviews with leading musical theatre writers, directors and producers. Directors And The New Musical Drama Offers A Fresh Perspective On The Dramatic Shifts In Musical Theatre In The 1980s And 90s. Miranda Lundskaer-nielsen Explores The Cultural Differences Between British And American Musicals, Examines Their Critical Reception, And Demonstrates The Crucial Role Of British And American Directors In Developing Musical Dramas That Have Initiated Change In The Parameters Of This Popular Art Form. Starting With The Provocative Idea Of The British Invasion, This Volume Includes Analysis Of Groundbreaking Musicals Such As Sunday In The Park With George, Les Misérables And Jelly's Last Jam, As Well As Interviews With Leading Musical Theatre Writers, Directors And Producers. Introduction: Anglo-american Perspectives -- Harold Prince In Context -- From Cabaret To Sweeney Todd: Musical Drama On Broadway -- Cultural Barricades: Reading The West End Musicals -- Beyond The Logos: West End Musical Drama -- New Horizons: Nonprofit Musical Drama -- Nonprofit Directors In The 1990s -- Rethinking Revivals -- Staging The Canon: British Directors And Classic American Musicals -- The Legacy Of The 1980s And 90s -- Interviews: Adam Guettel ; Matthew Warchus ; William Finn ; David Leveaux ; Ira Weitzman ; James Lapine ; Margo Lion ; Jack Viertel ; Richard Maltby, Jr. Miranda Lundskaer-nielsen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [223]-226) And Index. Contents......Page 6 List of Illustrations......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction: Anglo-American Perspectives......Page 12 1 Harold Prince in Context......Page 26 2 From Cabaret to Sweeney Todd: Musical Drama on Broadway......Page 40 3 Cultural Barricades: Reading the West End Musicals......Page 56 4 Beyond the Logos: West End Musical Drama......Page 70 5 New Horizons: Nonprofit Musical Drama......Page 84 6 Nonprofit Directors in the 1990s......Page 100 7 Rethinking Revivals......Page 120 8 Staging the Canon: British Directors and Classic American Musicals......Page 132 9 The Legacy of the 1980s and 90s......Page 152 Interviews......Page 162 Adam Guettel......Page 163 Matthew Warchus......Page 169 William Finn......Page 174 David Leveaux......Page 179 Ira Weitzman......Page 191 James Lapine......Page 197 Margo Lion......Page 206 Jack Viertel......Page 209 Richard Maltby, Jr.......Page 217 Notes......Page 222 Bibliography......Page 234 C......Page 238 L......Page 239 P......Page 240 T......Page 241 Y......Page 242 This is one of the first books to offer a rigorous analysis of the enormous changes in the musical theatre during the 1980s and 90s. In addition, it focuses on the contribution of well-known, serious theatre directors to the mainstream Musical Theatre and it is the first book to offer a dual Anglo-American perspective on this subject.