Rating: 
Summary: An great resource for people on both sides of the curtain
Review: Mr. Miller has written a very insightful book that can be enjoyed by both theater fans and professionals. He lays out the structures of the shows he discusses, and provides insightful commentary on the themes of the shows, and how the songs develop those themes. It's a must read for anyone interested in the musical theater.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a book for anyone who loves musicals.
Review: Musicals are becoming more interesting and more sophisticated every year, and I hope that this book will help musical theatre lovers find all the wonderful things hidden beneath the surface of the really great musicals. I worked very hard at making the book substantial and comprehensive enough for theatre professionals and yet also accessible and entertaining for readers with no formal theatre training who just love seeing musicals. So far, the response I've gotten has been overwhelming. And I'm hard at work on volume 2..
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! Finally a book that I can USE to help me direct!
Review: Scott Miller has shown that he not only truly understands the complexities of musical theater, but he knows how to put his ideas into terms that the rest of us schmucks can use. His book has become my "bible" when I direct. I look to the book to give me new angles for characterization, as well as staging. Miller really seems to cherish the richness of Stephen Sondheim's work and is able to translate his understanding into concrete suggestions for staging Sondheim's work. This is a must read for anyone who ever attempts to direct any kind of musical.
Rating: 
Summary: Trite, facile, asinine
Review: Scott Miller's book is a perfect example of what is wrong with musical theatre writing. The fact that a book like this can be published (with a supposed sequel underway) says loads about the problems with scholarship in this field.Miller seems confused about his audience. Almost anyone with a familiarity with the text, which any director should acquire firsthand, would find his attempts laughable. While someone with no knowledge of the shows might find his analysis borderline interesting, why would they care?
Rating:
Summary: Very Impressed
Review: Scott Miller's book is an informative and entertaining read. For anyone with an interest in musical theatre that goes any deeper than mere acknowledgement Miller's book is a must. For those acting in these shows, those directing these shows, or those who are ATTENDING these shows - your experience can be greatly enhanced by reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent analysis of several major works.
Review: Scott Miller's book is one of the finest of the recent works of criticism I have seen on American musical theatre. Rather than a cursory history of the genre, Mr. Miller has opted to analyse several major works, bringing insights that will be useful to professionals and add to the understanding of theatre-goers.
Rating: 
Summary: An In-Depth Look at Specific Musicals
Review: The author has written a book which takes an in-depth look at specific musicals, providing the reader with character and plot analyses that are not usually found in the libretto or other sources. And while I do not agree with all of his ideas or conclusions (comparing Weimar, Germany to 1990's America, for example), nor do I think it was necessary to color his otherwise neutral studies of most of the musicals with his obvious liberal political tendencies in others, overall he has provided information that can enrich the musical theater experience. Not being a Director, I cannot be sure how helpful the book is in that idiom, but it would certainly be of use to the actors performing in the shows discussed, especially in gaining a better understanding of characters, plot, and themes.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Ever Read About Musicals
Review: This book told me more about my favorite musicals than any other book I've ever read. I've been directing musicals for 35 years (professionally for 20), but this book got me thinking about things I'd never even considered before. Do I agree with all Miller's opinions? Not all of them. But he doesn't ask us to agree with him -- he knows art is subjective. Not only will this book be valuable to community theatrers and high school teachers, but I reccommend this book to every professional director in the country. You won't believe how great this book is.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: This is one of the most humorous, honest and delightful books about theatre out there. Whether you want to learn about theatre or you know it all....... this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!
Review: This is one of the most humorous, honest and delightful books about theatre out there. Whether you want to learn about theatre or you know it all....... this book is for you!
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