Pal Joey: The History of a Heel presents a behind-the-scenes look at the genesis, influence, and significance of Rodgers and Hart's classic musical comedy Pal Joey (1940).

From the diverse proto-theatres of the mid-1800s, though the revues of the ‘20s, the ‘true musicals’ of the ‘40s, the politicisation of the ‘60s and the ‘mega-musicals’ of the ‘80s, every era in American musical theatre reflected a unique set of socio-cultural factors. Nathan Hurwitz uses these factors to explain the output of each decade in turn, showing how the most popular productions spoke directly to the audiences of the time. He explores the function of musical theatre as commerce, tying each big success to the social and economic realities in which it flourished. This study spans from the earliest spectacles and minstrel shows to contemporary musicals such as Avenue Q and Spiderman. It traces the trends of this most commercial of art forms from the perspective of its audiences, explaining how staying in touch with writers and producers strove to stay in touch with these changing moods. Each chapter deals with a specific decade, introducing the main players, the key productions and the major developments in musical theatre during that period.

This wide-ranging, two-volume encyclopedia of musicals old and new will captivate young fans—and prove invaluable to those contemplating staging a musical production. Written with high school students in mind, The World of Musicals: An Encyclopedia of Stage, Screen, and Song encompasses not only Broadway and film musicals, but also made-for-television musicals, a genre that has been largely ignored. The two volumes cover significant musicals in easily accessible entries that offer both useful information and fun facts. Each entry lists the work's writers, composers, directors, choreographers, and cast, and includes a song list, a synopsis, and descriptions of the original production and important revivals or remakes. Biographical entries share the stories of some of the brightest and most celebrated talents in the business. The encyclopedia will undoubtedly ignite and feed student interest in musical theatre. At the same time, it will prove a wonderful resource for teachers or community theatre directors charged with selecting and producing shows. In fact, anyone interested in theatre, film, television, or music will be fascinated by the work's tantalizing bits of historical and theatre trivia.

Bob Fosse (19271987), the director and choreographer of Chicago and Sweet Charity, has never been more popular than he is right now. Here is the less-publicized side of his story-his surprising ascent from the world of sleazy Chicago strip joints to the glitter of Broadway. A legend's memory is preserved in this eloquent biography.

The definitive biography of short story writer John O’Hara.

In the late 1970's the cocaine was pure and the lust for sex, drugs, and money corrupted the body and soul. The casino boom was flourishing in Atlantic City; and the Natalie Crime Family was making millions. However, the son of a Brooklyn crime boss became slipshod and haughty, disregarding the code of silence and the old-world philosophy of Sicily. This leads to a series of catastrophic events all caught on F.B.I. surveillance tapes. This is a gripping look at the mafia mentality, narrated by a convict rotting away in a federal prison, who reflects back upon his life explaining what went wrong and how the events of the spring of 1977 destroyed one of the most powerful crime families in the world. What makes Lions at the Gate special is the naked depiction of the mafia, the kangaroo courts, and the corrupt incarceration system.