“American plays embellished with songs were being offered in New York as early as Colonial days, but The Black Crook was the first long-running musical hit, with a record run that was not overtaken until Adonis established a new mark in the Iate1880's.”
"Now updated for the first time since 1996, this comprehensive and widely used Broadway reference book has been expanded to include many of the most important and memorable productions of the American musical theatre, including revivals. Chronologically arranged beginning with The Black Crook in 1866, the sixth edition adds new entries and photos for numerous musicals from recent years, including The Lion King, Hairspray, The Producers, Wicked, Mamma Mia! , Thoroughly Modern Millie, Avenue Q and Young Frankenstein. It features a wealth of statistics and inside information, plus critical reception, cast lists, pithy commentary about each show, and numerous detailed indexes that no Broadway fan will want to be without. "--Jacket.