Making Musicals: An Informal Introduction to the World of Musical Theater

by Tom Jones

The lyricist/librettist of The Fantasticks , the longest-running show in the history of the American theater, takes on a new role as your guide through the magical world of the stage musical.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre, Music

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Tom Jones was an American lyricist of musical theatre best know for The Fantasticks.

Reviews

[Russell Sanders]

Lyricist and book writer Tom Jones joked that in his younger days, many a female flight attendant would look at him disappointingly when she realized he was the “other” Tom Jones. But this other Tom Jones was just as talented as the famous singer. The writer of The Fantasticks and other shows took a series of lectures he once made and turned them into this book Making Musicals. I am a musical theater nut, have read many, many books about the history and craft of musicals, and I have to say this is the best of the lot—especially for those who know very little about musicals. Roughly the first half of the book is a short history of American musical theater, which along with jazz, is considered one of the two uniquely American art forms. A fusing of minstrel shows, vaudeville, burlesque, and European operetta, American musical theater was “born” in the 1860s and was hugely shaped by the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein, starting in 1943 with Oklahoma!, evolving into the present day with shows not only in the R and H formula but with the shows of Stephen Sondheim and the mega-hits of Andrew Lloyd Webber and his ilk. Jones tells very winningly this history with wit and conciseness. Then he tells of constructing a show, using his own shows and experience. Each of those chapters, once again, are concise, informative, and entertaining. There is no university professor droning here, but rather Jones’s overriding philosophy is “do what you want” and “be yourself in your work,” while giving students guidelines. At 189 pages, Making Musicals is a quick read that can be learned from, and for those who actually aspire to write musicals, it can be kept on a shelf to be referred to often.

[Jim Stewart]

Good book if you're into musicals. The author wrote the book for The Fantasticks, the longest=running (42 years) musical ever, on or off-Broadway. He brings you successfully inside the world of making musicals and seems equally astonished by his partner, Harvey Schmidt's, ability to write music. The last 25% or so of the book is aimed at people who want to get involved in theater. That's not me. If I had that kind of talent I would have done that. But it's fun to get inside the Broadway head been if only for a while

[Mary Consiglio]

good guide on getting started on writing a musical and storytelling. i do wish some of the advice on getting a musical off the ground was a bit more … applicable to common man, but hey, maybe my future kids can be nepo babies!

[Greg Kerestan]

The best books on writing for the stage come from people who have done it successfully, and Tom Jones (the author, not the Welsh singer) has a long and storied career full of hits, flops, successes and failures. His commentary on writing is illustrated by his own career, as he analyzes his writing history with collaborator Harvey Schmidt in the context of the theatre world at large. One of the best volumes on creation for the stage.

[Benni]

Not as helpful instructionally as helpful inspirationally.

[Nate Trier]

Casual and informal but jam-packed with good information from someone who has had a long career.

[KC]

I love The Fantasticks, and now I love Tom Jones. Really nice introduction to musicals in general, with some helpful pointers on crafting them.

[Peter]

Great background lectures on the history of the American musical as well as a comprehensive and informative introduction to styles and forms.