Sources: The World of Musicals: An Encyclopedia of Stage, Screen, and Song
The World of Musicals: An Encyclopedia of Stage, Screen, and Song. By Mark A. Robinson. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2014. 2 vols. acid free $189 (ISBN: 978-1-4408-0096-2). Ebook available (978-1-4408-0097-9), call for pricing.
In the introduction to The World of Musicals the editor Mark Robinson gives quite a concise history of musicals focusing on America's contribution to the genre and giving context to this resource. This 2 volume set distinguishes itself from other reference sources by not only including musical theatre, but also having entries for musical films. From the introduction, Robinson argues that although "many critics have stated that the Broadway musical is a dying art form," American musicals are flourishing and there has definitely been an influx of new creators on the scene as well as a renewed interest through television and film (xxxviii).
Compared to the entries of the second edition of Kurt Ganzl's The Encyclopedia of Musical Theatre (Schirmer, 2001), not only are more popular musicals included, but the language used to describe the musicals is meant to be understood by even a novice. Composers, actors, lyricists, and the artists behind musical theatre's most famous poster art are included in this encyclopedia as well as mentions of film adaptations. For each musical, this source includes title, date released, location first performed (or type, when it is a film adaptation), detailed creator information, songs, description, related entries within the set, and further reading.
This source could be useful to both academic and public libraries. As mentioned earlier, the writing of the encyclopedia is basic enough that this source could be used in the planning of high school musicals. High School Musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Pocahontas are some of the more recent musicals to be included in this source as well as a wide selection of historic musicals. This source is very accessible and would be adaptable to a variety of needs.—Amy Wainwright, Outreach and Student Engagement Librarian, Grasselli Library and Breen Learning Center, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio