Getting to Broadway

The Broadway musical has become a cultural phenomenon, with shows setting box office records. Updating familiar themes, these shows have introduced new elements in style, look, and diversity to the theater. This high-interest series explores the paths that these blockbusters—Hamilton, Rent, Annie, Cats, The Lion King, and Wicked—took to get to the Great White Way. It compares the similarities and differences between the musicals and their source material, the innovations they introduced to the stage, and what effect each show had on the culture at large. Along the way, students will get introduced to some of the people who made these shows happen, and where these shows stand in the pantheon of Broadway musicals.
Each Book Contains:
• Fact boxes and charts that illustrate each show’s place in theater history
• Links to videos of musical performances
• An introduction to the great works that inspired the creators of these massive hits
• Sidebars on people who made creative contributions to musical theater
Curriculum Connections:
• Problem-solving skills are enhanced by following the ways in which creatives brought stunning innovations to the stage
• Students will gather evidence to examine how timeless themes have been given a modern slant to make them relevant in today’s culture
• The connection between art and economics is illustrated as each book delves into the business side of Broadway