Strike Up the Band: A New History of Musical Theatre

I'm not going to wax poetic but this is the PERFECT textbook for my high school musical theatre class. It is written at a level that is accessible to students but doesn't pander. It is well researched and informative but still includes occasional editorial comments that remind us that the author is human and really does have a personality. I appreciate the fact that the book is relatively short and will not overwhelm someone who just picks it up and wants to travel chronologically through the history of the American musical. Obviously, Miller's book is not exhaustive and he admits this up front. He doesn't waste time talking about musicals that weren't socially or theatrically important or influential (The Sound of Music) but also touches on a few groundbreaking but relatively underrated shows like Little Johnny Jones. The best thing about this book is that Miller takes a decade like the 1940s (arguably one of the most rich and influential periods in musical theatre) and gives us the basics in fifteen pages. But he hits ALL the high points. That book is such a great jumping off point for so many great discussions because Miller really does a good job showing the *development* of musical theatre and its connectivity to their contemporaneous social and political conditions. Overall, this is just a refreshing and sophisticated rendering of musical theatre that doesn't get bogged down in trivialities or tangents. Miller keeps moving and consequently, keeps us looking forward. THANK YOU!My ONLY two complaints... Miller considers Porgy and Bess an opera and therefore omits it entirely. Also, I wish there was a hardcover edition.... as a textbook, the paperbacks will not stand up well to the abuse of high school students :)

Reading this book has pointed me to multiple excellent shows I wouldn't have been aware of otherwise. It is an information-packed read and yet a light and entertaining one. I espcially admire the commitment to presenting shows that were important shows even if they didn't do well on Broadway or even play on Broadway. For even the most seasoned theater folks, some chapter in this book (nicely organized by decade, by the way) will open up your world and show you something you didn't know.

This book came before it was scheduled to come. Great, because I needed it right away!

Well-written book in a pseudo-series by the author. Definitely author's personal opinion. I'm surprised some aren't listed. A good read, I learned more about Musical Theater, which is always important to me.The other books on musicals by the author are good as well.

Strike Up the Band is an informative book. However, it covers pretty much the same territory hundreds of other theatrical books cover. I previously read another book by this same author, and it seemed that some of the same information about several of the musicals was contained in both books. It's not a good sign when reading something to have the realization that (almost word for word) sentences were contained in one of his other books. I would recommend this book for the average theatergoer. It's certainly not a scholarly book that offers new and interesting insights or points-of-view. It's OK...Nothing special.

Love this book! Ive been using it for my history of Broadway class and I love it

Bought this used and it was in really great condition.

This is a very clever and insightful distilled overview, and as a performer I appreciate his experience as a performer, director and producer all of which informs his deep academic research. He has a strong, unapologetic author's viewpoint which makes for more interesting reading.