Singular sensation : the triumph of Broadway

The extraordinary story of a transformative decade on Broadway, featuring gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Rent , Angels in America , Chicago , The Lion King , and The Producers— shows that changed the history of the American theater. The 1990s was a decade of profound change on Broadway. At the dawn of the nineties, the British invasion of Broadway was in full swing, as musical spectacles like Les Miserables , Cats , and The Phantom of the Opera dominated the box office. But Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard soon spelled the end of this era and ushered in a new wave of American musicals, beginning with the ascendance of an unlikely show by a struggling writer who reimagined Puccini’s opera La Bohème as the smash Broadway show Rent . American musical comedy made its grand return, culminating in The Producers , while plays, always an endangered species on Broadway, staged a powerful comeback with Tony Kushner’s Angels in America . A different breed of producers rose up to challenge the grip theater owners had long held on Broadway, and corporations began to see how much money could be made from live theater. And just as Broadway had clawed its way back into the mainstream of American popular culture, the September 11 attacks struck fear into the heart of Americans who thought Times Square might be the next target. But Broadway was back in business just two days later, buoyed by talented theater people intent on bringing New Yorkers together and supporting the economics of an injured city. Michael Riedel presents the drama behind every mega-hit or shocking flop, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into Singular Sensation . Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on. "Fun and gossipy." — The Wall Street Journal * "A masterful history." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) * "Engaging." — Newsweek A "brisk, insightful, and deliciously detailed take" ( Kirkus Reviews ) on a transformative decade on Broadway, featuring behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Rent , Angels in America , Chicago , The Lion King , and The Producers— shows that changed the history of the American theater. The 1990s was a decade of profound change on Broadway. At the dawn of the nineties, the British invasion of Broadway was in full swing, as musical spectacles like Les Miserables , Cats , and The Phantom of the Opera dominated the box office. But Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard soon spelled the end of this era and ushered in a new wave of American musicals, beginning with the ascendance of an unlikely show by a struggling writer who reimagined Puccini's opera La Bohème as the smash Broadway show Rent . American musical comedy made its grand return, culminating in The Producers , while plays, always an endangered species on Broadway, staged a powerful comeback with Tony Kushner's Angels in America . A different breed of producers rose up to challenge the grip theater owners had long held on Broadway, and corporations began to see how much money could be made from live theater. And just as Broadway had clawed its way back into the mainstream of American popular culture, the September 11 attacks struck fear into the heart of Americans who thought Times Square might be the next target. But Broadway was back in business just two days later, buoyed by talented theater people intent on bringing New Yorkers together and supporting the economics of an injured city. "Told with all the wit and style readers could wish for" ( Booklist ) Michael Riedel presents the drama behind every mega-hit or shocking flop. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into Singular Sensation . Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on. **The extraordinary story of a transformative decade on Broadway, featuring gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as __Rent__, __Angels in America__, __Chicago__, __The Lion King__, and __The Producers—__shows that changed the history of the American theater.** The 1990s was a decade of profound change on Broadway. At the dawn of the nineties, the British invasion of Broadway was in full swing, as musical spectacles like , , and dominated the box office. But Andrew Lloyd Webber’s soon spelled the end of this era and ushered in a new wave of American musicals, beginning with the ascendance of an unlikely show by a struggling writer who reimagined Puccini’s opera as the smash Broadway show . American musical comedy made its grand return, culminating in , while plays, always an endangered species on Broadway, staged a powerful comeback with Tony Kushner’s . A different breed of producers rose up to challenge the grip theater owners had long held on Broadway, and corporations began to see how much money could be made from live theater. And just as Broadway had clawed its way back into the mainstream of American popular culture, the September 11 attacks struck fear into the heart of Americans who thought Times Square might be the next target. But Broadway was back in business just two days later, buoyed by talented theater people intent on bringing New Yorkers together and supporting the economics of an injured city. Michael Riedel presents the drama behind every mega-hit or shocking flop, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into . Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on. A Definitive And Extraordinary Account Of Recent Broadway History—spanning From The Debut Of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Sunset Boulevard To Disney’s The Lion King—told By Broadway’s Most Respected (and Feared) Commentator Michael Riedel. Singular Sensation Portrays The People, Money, And Power That Created The Blockbuster Shows And Aesthetic Spectacle That Has Dominated Not Only A Couple Of Acres Of Real Estate In The Heart Of Manhattan But Has Also Captured The Hearts And Minds Of Millions Of People Around The World. From The Legendary Jousting Scene In Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard To The Ascendance Of An Unlikely Musical By An Unknown Savant Named Jonathan Larsen, Who Reimagined La Bohème As Rent And From Standing Room Only Crowds Who Stormed To See The Producers To The Lion King, Michael Riedel Tracks It All So You Can Experience Your Favorite Show From A Whole New Angle. Told With Verve And Passion And Drawing Upon More Than 150 Insider Interviews, Riedel Walks Us Through The Broadway We Know And Love Today: An Industry Awash In Big Hits And Bigger Money, While Also Being An Industry Split Between Its Adherence To Old Artforms And The Allure Of Popular Culture. A definitive and extraordinary account of recent Broadway history'spanning from the debut of Andrew Lloyd Weber's Sunset Boulevard to Disney's The Lion King'told by Broadway's most respected (and feared) commentator Michael Riedel. Singular Sensation portrays the people, money, and power that created the blockbuster shows and aesthetic spectacle that has dominated not only a couple of acres of real estate in the heart of Manhattan but has also captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. From the legendary jousting scene in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard to the ascendance of an unlikely musical by an unknown savant named Jonathan Larsen, who reimagined La BohEme as Rent and from standing room only crowds who stormed to see The Producers to The Lion King, Michael Riedel tracks it all so you can experience your favorite show from a whole new angle. Told with verve and passion and drawing upon more than 150 insider interviews, Riedel walks us through the Broadway we know and love today: an industry awash in big hits and bigger money, while also being an industry split between its adherence to old artforms and the allure of popular culture At the dawn of the nineties, the British invasion of Broadway was in full swing. Musical spectacles dominated the box office. As American musical comedy made its grand return, plays, always an endangered species on Broadway, staged a powerful comeback. A different breed of producers rose up to challenge the grip theater owners had long held on Broadway, and corporations began to see how much money could be made from live theater. Then the September 11 attacks struck fear into the heart of Americans who thought Times Square might be the next target. Riedel presents the drama behind every mega-hit or shocking flop of that decade, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. -- adapted from jacket The "New York Post" theater columnist draws on more than 150 insider interviews to celebrate the productions, artists, and movements that shaped Broadway in the years spanning "Sunset Boulevard" through "The Lion King."