The book of Broadway The 150 definitive plays and musicals

This coffee-table book offers brief profiles of 150 famous Broadway shows, mainly musicals. Each show gets a two-page spread with photographs, pertinent production information, and an informal narrative (Quite frankly, the producers of Annie were less concerned with blazing a trail than they were with just getting the damn thing produced). Author Grode, an experienced New York theater critic, unabashedly explains that these 150 made the cut because I defined them as definitive. Fans of modern theater will likely agree with his choices and be entertained by both the trivia within and the spectacle offered by the wonderful photographs. Suitable for circulation in most public libraries and academic collections serving theater-arts programs.--Vnuk, Rebecca Copyright 2015 Booklist

Why is New York Times theater critic and reporter Grode's book "definitive?" Because, and this is a direct quote from the introduction delineating his methodology for play and musical inclusion, "I said so." Therein lies the problem with every text of this ilk; the inherently subjective nature of the claim renders it grist for the argument mill. No Fantasticks? No Godspell? Marat/Sade is in, but Sam Shepard is out? He does address why the latter is not enshrined in his book, but this reviewer doesn't buy it. That aside, Grode's work is a beautifully splashy alphabetically arranged compilation of 150 significant Broadway plays and musicals. Each show is covered on a two-page spread with glossy black-and-white and color photographs, brief but illuminating text and commentary, and a sidebar featuring a show synopsis, performance dates, awards received, noted revivals and adaptations, and original stars. VERDICT This is the kind of book you buy as a gift because you know the recipient likes theater. Optional for libraries.-Barry X. Miller, Austin P.L., TX © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.