Chapter 1. 'A tale as old as time': Narrative Theory -- Chapter 2. 'A man who can interpret could go far': Semiotics and Semiology -- Chapter 3. 'Razzle dazzle 'em': Performance Studies, Reception Theory and the Epic Musical -- Chapter 4. 'Life is a cabaret': Cultural Materialism -- Chapter 5. 'You've got to be carefully taught': Orientalism and Musical Theatre -- Chapter 6. 'I wanna be a producer': Globalization, Capitalism and Consumerism -- Chapter 7. 'What's the buzz?' Meta-narratives and Post-linearity -- Chapter 8. 'Marry the man today': Feminism and the Performance of Identity -- Chapter 9. 'The bitch of living': Youth Cultures, Power, and Sexuality -- Chapter 10. 'I am what I am': Sexuality and Queer Theory -- Chapter 11. 'It's the last midnight': Playing with Time and Space -- Chapter 12. 'I'm just a Broadway baby': Intertextuality in Music and Lyrics -- Chapter 13. 'Dreamgirls will make you happy': The Pleasures of Voice and Body -- Chapter 14. 'Make 'em laugh': The Politics of Entertainment.

"The ideal accompaniment to any study of musical theatre, this lively textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the history, theory and practice of this popular theatre form. Bringing critical theory and musical theatre together, Millie Taylor and Dominic Symonds explore the musical stage from a broad range of theoretical perspectives, including narrative theory, orientalism, gender theory and globalization.Focusing on opera as well as musical theatre, Studying Musical Theatre considers dozens of diverse shows from 1607 to the present day. From Monteverdi to Mamma Mia, and from HMS Pinafore to Hedwig, this book offers an accessible and up-to-date guide to musical theatre for students, aficionados and enthusiasts alike"--