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by Ethan Mordden
Amazon.com:
Musical theater lovers will rejoice upon discovering Rodgers &
Hammerstein, the visually rich, musical-by-musical overview of
one of Broadway's most creative duos. Ethan Mordden traces the
output of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II from their first
musical project together (Oklahoma) to their very last (The Sound of
Music). With each of these, readers are given detailed (and sometimes
critical) notes on the production processes and behind-the-scenes
tidbits. The media backlash against Allegro--due to choreographer
Agnes de Mille firing a cast dancer she had conflicts with--is
explained, as is the opening night flop of Me and Juliet. And, though
less remembered today, Mordden gives us detailed notes and pictures
from Pipe Dream, the pair's ill-fated adaptation of John Steinbeck's
Cannery Row. The real magic behind Rodgers & Hammerstein,
though, isn't in these ephemeral notes but in the book's lavish
illustrations. Backdrop designs, cast recording album covers, and
production photos tell a story here that words simply cannot. There
have been numerous books chronicling the genius of Rodgers &
Hammerstein (and, truth be told, many serve as better introductions to
the duo), but few capture and illustrate the pair's magic like this one.
From the Publisher:
Now in paperback, this profusely illustrated volume celebrates the
legendary collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
Filled with original performance photographs, set and costume designs,
backstage candids, and lively anecdotes, the book covers the team's
complete works including Oklahoma!, State Fair, Carousel, South
Pacific, Flower Drum Song, and The Sound of Music. Ethan Mordden
analyzes every one of the shows-detailing the plots, exploring the
musical and lyrical ideas, and examining casting and directing
choices. Rodgers & Hammerstein is an essential work in the
history of American musical theater. 233 illustrations, 67 in full
color. Ethan Mordden is the author of numerous books and countless
magazine articles on theater, opera, and film, as well as several
novels. A frequent contributor to the New Yorker, Mordden has
received the National Magazine Award for Fiction. He lives and works
in New York City.
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