Notes on the Writing of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

by Robert L. Freedman (Editor)

The most frequently asked question about writing musicals is, "Which comes first, the music or the lyrics?" As anyone on Broadway will tell you, the answer is, "The book." Tony-winning book writer Robert L. Freedman takes you through the process of writing a new musical, including story structure, song placement, dialogue, character development, and more that led to the creation of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, the 2014 Best Musical Tony winner. With candor and insight, Freedman describes the challenging and rewarding growing pains of what the critics called "Hilarious!" and "Ingenious!" and said "Ranks among the most inspired and entertaining new musical comedies I've seen in years."

Genres: Theatre

84 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2021

Reviews

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly it is rather insubstantial and vague, as though he dashed it off speaking into his phone over the course of an hour or two. What is offered as insight into the writing process is not very insightful, and gossipy details about the show are largely absent (if that is what you were hoping for). I am a huge fan of the show - it might be my favorite musical of all - but I did not learn much about it from this book. And it can be read in moments, it’s about 65 pages. It’s more like a magazine article.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the creation of a hit musical. a quick, entertaining read.