SKU: 68992043062

The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built

Sale price$15.30 Regular price$17.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.25 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Sep 15 - Sep 20

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are BuiltA New York Times Bestseller For almost a century, Americans have been losing their hearts and losing their minds in an insatiable love affair with the American musical. It often begins in childhood in a darkened theater, grows into something more serious for high school actors, and reaches its passionate zenith when it comes time for love, marriage, and children, who will start the cycle all over again. Americans love musicals. Americans invented

A New York Times Bestseller

For almost a century, Americans have been losing their hearts and losing their minds in an insatiable love affair with the American musical. It often begins in childhood in a darkened theater, grows into something more serious for high school actors, and reaches its passionate zenith when it comes time for love, marriage, and children, who will start the cycle all over again. Americans love musicals. Americans invented musicals. Americans perfected musicals. But what, exactly, is a musical?

In The Secret Life of the American Musical, Jack Viertel takes them apart, puts them back together, sings their praises, marvels at their unflagging inventiveness, and occasionally despairs over their more embarrassing shortcomings. In the process, he invites us to fall in love all over again by showing us how musicals happen, what makes them work, how they captivate audiences, and how one landmark show leads to the next--by design or by accident, by emulation or by rebellion--from Oklahoma to Hamilton and onward.

Structured like a musical, The Secret Life of the American Musical begins with an overture and concludes with a curtain call, with stops in between for "I Want" songs, "conditional" love songs, production numbers, star turns, and finales. The ultimate insider, Viertel has spent three decades on Broadway, working on dozens of shows old and new as a conceiver, producer, dramaturg, and general creative force; he has his own unique way of looking at the process and at the people who collaborate to make musicals a reality. He shows us patterns in the architecture of classic shows and charts the inevitable evolution that has taken place in musical theater as America itself has evolved socially and politically.

The Secret Life of the American Musical makes you feel as though you've been there in the rehearsal room, in the front row of the theater, and in the working offices of theater owners and producers as they pursue their own love affair with that rare and elusive beast--the Broadway hit.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Sarah Crichton Books
Published: 03/14/2017
ISBN: 9780374536893
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.40w x 1.00d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 68992043062

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 9 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Verified Purchase
Mary Murphy
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Can be casual or dressy depending on accessories!
Size: Large, Color: Dark Camel, Small Ikat Animal
Quality fabric. Love the fit, the pattern. Comfy. I wear a belt with mine.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
Tessa
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Love it
Size: Medium, Color: Black
Very soft and comfortable. Fits well. Perfect length…. I’m 5’2 inches
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
Joanne Prada would be proud
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 4
A little thin but very cozy and comfortable, soft fabric
Size: Large, Color: Navy
Thin but super soft and extremely comfortable. I would have liked the fabric to be a tad bit thicker, thus the four stars instead of 5. I wore this with a denim blazer. It is a beautiful navy. I think I will order a size larger than normal and maybe then the thinner fabric won't be such an issue. Nice sleeve length, not too clingy.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Mili
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect for every day use.
Size: Large, Color: Black
Absolutely love this dress! So cute, casual, and nice looking. The material is exactly as described – soft, comfortable, and breathable. Perfect for everyday wear!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 3
Fit Comfort and no high slits which spoil long dresses
Size: X-Large, Color: Dark Green
Why such high slits? Why 2 splits? Always have to sew them up for more coverage and modesty, especially when seated. The manufacturer/seller could appeal to more, and all ages of customers considering this dress purchase, if not for these too long slits either side.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2026

recommand products