I took two stars off for reasons that will be outlined in my review

books:


	• Let's Put on a Musical: How to Choose the Right Show for Your Theater, Revised & Expanded Edition Peter Filichia Back Stage Books, 2007 - 464 pages average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

fabulous

this is a fantastic resource for anyone who is considering putting on a musical. it includes EVERY musical ever written, for all practical purposes...and the reviews are honest, straight forward critiques of the pros and cons of why you should choose this show.

great reference to have

This really is a great reference to have. The only thing is that I have an earlier version of this book and it lists a little more information that I think is very helpful. For instance, it lists maximum and minimum players you can use for each show. It also omits musicals such as Pirates of Penzance, Quilters and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to name a few. In the first addition the author might not have gone into great details on these musical but a little synopsis was written. Otherwise this is a great reference.

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I took two stars off for reasons that will be outlined in my review

This book is definitely superior to its first edition which was full of errors. Not only that but it is up to date. It's hard to believe that a few years back, I was actually writing my own additions for this book in the same vein. Believe it or not, the show I wrote about are now in this book.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

However, the one complaint I have is that there are two instances where Peter Filichia makes some very insensitive comments. Under the LIABILITIES section for Parade, he writes that the ending, in which Leo Frank, after finally being proven innocent, is hanged by a group of vigilantes does not scream "That's Entertainment". Mr. Filichia, would you prefer if history were altered? Leo Frank's hanging was a hate crime.

Also, in the LIABILITIES section for Side Show, he writes, "Can we really blame Terry for not wanting to be with a conjoined twin?" Um, yes. Terry is in love with Daisy but can't be open about his love because she's a conjoined twin. Naturally, she'd be angry.

While I certainly cannot look past these examples of Mr. Filichia's insensitivity, I certainly am glad to see this updated version of Let's Put On A Musical.

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Great but still needs improvement

Some of the shows from the first volume have been omitted (since many younger people aren't familiar with them) and what became of the advertising ideas? (eg. "Before Elvis there was another King" for "The
King and I" or "Candide hams" and "Candide fruits) Yet there still are some obscure titles (Drat! The Cat) that the author challenges theaters that want to put on shows that flopped. However the "Worth a Look" section is omitted (no On the Town, Chess, George M!...) And do we really need to know all those things from Beauty and the Beast?

Great help for directors!

I direct musicals in a small college and find this a most helpful compilation of musicals and the information I need to make a selection. Highly recommended!

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reviews: page 1, 2

So you want to do Rent...at a senior-citizen home. So you want to do Wicked...with your kindergarten class. So you want to do Cats...for an audience of allergy sufferers. Those ideas won?t work. Let?s Put on a Musical gives you what will work, no matter how big the group, no matter how small, no matter how specialized the requirements. Limited budget? Way-too-huge stage? Leading man who can?t sing? Audience that can?t shut up? Renowned theater critic Peter Filicia looks at more than 200 famous and little-known shows, all cleverly categorized and described in terms of story, best-known songs, musical requirements (including instrumentation), chorus and dance numbers, and staging, including sets, costumes, and props needed. Readers will also find fun nuggets about original Broadway productions and great tips on casting and publicity. So maybe you can?t do Rent, or Wicked, or Cats. But maybe you can do My Fair Lady or an obscure gem like Top Banana! Let?s Put on a Musical is the entertaining, indispensable resource that helps every theater group find the show that?s just right for them.

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