This unique historical survey illustrates the interaction of multiple artistic and dramatic considerations with an overview of the development of numerous popular musical theater genres. This introduction provides more than a history of musical theater, it studies themusicwithin the shows to provide an understanding of the contributions of musical theater composers as clearly as the artistry of musical theater lyricists and librettists. The familiarity of the musical helps readers understand how music functions in a song and a show, while giving them the vocabulary to discuss their perceptions.The guide reviews the antecedents to the genre of "musical theater," the musical stage in the 19th century, divergent paths in the twentieth century, synthesis of style and substance, new partnerships, new faces of the 40s, 50s 60s and 70s, and changes of approach in the 1980s and 90s.For fans of music and musical theater.