THE HISTORY OF THE MUSICAL

An enjoyable stroll down Broadway and "the West End" of London, this audiobook traces the development of musical theater, explaining the influence of many famous composers and songwriters over the past 150 years, as well as the impact of history on this art form. In a strong, clear voice, Kim Cresswell's narration varies from light-hearted, easy-going tones, to darker, more somber ones, using inflection and emphasis to indicate the evolution in musical theater. Well-selected excerpts from the various shows enhance the overall impact, and sound quality is excellent, even for the older pieces. The introductions--performers, title of the song, and name of the show--are backed up with a written listing of each piece. This all-around quality production will have you humming for days. W.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]