Breaking into Song: Why You Shouldn't Hate Musicals

A collection of essays that explore the divide and polarisation of opinion over musical theatre, and what we can do to stay open-minded and make musicals better.

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“This book is a fascinating cri de coeur and made me question

everything I think about musicals”
Alan Cumming

A book for those who can’t stand musicals, those who love them, and every theatregoer, academic, practitioner and student in between. Breaking Into Song explores theatre’s most divisive genre, and asks the fundamental questions:






What makes a musical?





Why are they so polarising?





And why have we allowed a form so full of possibility to become so repetitive and restrictive?






Through a series of essays, London-based director, dramaturg and musical theatre specialist Adam Lenson asks what audiences can do to stay open minded and what creatives can do to make new musicals better. Examining both sides of the divide, he explores how those who both love and hate musicals can expand the possibilities of this misunderstood medium.



Dive in and discover the political foundations of the form, the difficulties in pinning down exactly what it is, the connections between musicals, video games, opera and comic books, and why a musical is, actually, a lot like a poopy baby.



“A passionate and cogently argued call to arms and a very enjoyable read”

Lyn Gardner



 “This book is really brilliant. If you care about/enjoy/work in/struggle with/want to understand/have concerns for the state of musical theatre, it is essential reading. Hugely recommended”

Howard Goodall



“I would advise anyone who… hates musicals… to read this book”

Musical Theatre Review



“Bold, inclusive and willing to adapt, Adam Lenson’s blueprint for musical theatre

above all looks at sustainability.”

The Reviews Hub



Contents:



Breaking Into Song

The Wound

On Hating Musicals

Cash Machines

Musicals and Comic Books

Superpowers

Musicals are Political

Poopy Babies

When Words Are No Longer Enough

Collaboration

Time and Memory

Photocopying a Photocopy

I’m Not a Genre, Not Yet a Medium

Expertise

What’s The Point?

Definitions

Audiences

Musicals and Video Games

Can Musicals Ever Be Cool?

The Triangle

Tiny Bowls

Musicals and Opera

Digging vs Telescopes

The Musical

Cardboard Cities

Musicals Cost Too Much

Autobiography

Opposites

Build it and They Will Come

What’s in a Name?

Replicas

Stacks

Making Space