How to Direct a Musical

Sorry - but I sent a very positive review of this item to you over two weeks ago!

The overall tone of this book is a bit off-putting and patronizing and Mr. Young is certainly proud of his work, but there are some gems scattered through the pages, so perhaps the tone is justified. It does contain some great tips on addressing specific problems, such as pauses in dialogue and actors who don't understand what they're saying, and there's a nice appendix on working with children. I've been using some of the charts it suggests in a production I'm directing and they've been invaluable in eliminating confusion and redundancy in costuming and choreography. This is a good reference book, but should not be your only one. I'd also recommend Jory's Tips for Directors and Hauser's On Directing and there are several good step-by-step books on directing and producing book plays and musicals. This would be a good book for someone beginning to think about directing a musical. If nothing else, it's a clear illustration of the dedication and time involved, and if read correctly should warn off anyone not willing to be totally immersed in the theater for a couple of months. The tips are a bonus!