Not Since Carrie: Forty Years of Broadway Musical Flops

by Ken Mandelbaum

On This Page

Description

Not Since Carrie is Ken Mandelbaum's brilliant survey of Broadway's biggest flops. This highly readable and entertaining book highlights almost 200 musicals created between 1950 and 1990, framed around the notorious musical adaptation ofCarrie, and examines the reasons for their failure. "Essential and hilarious," ravesThe New Yorker, andThe New York Times calls the book "A must-read."

Tags

Recommendations

Member Reviews

6 reviews
What a great theater book, only talking about flops is such an ingenious idea for this foray into the dark side of the theater world. Just to read about the concept from beginning to end that brought CARRIE to the stage is fascinating. What were these people thinking. I was engrossed from beginning to the end. A grand trip that needs to be updated..."Cry Baby", "Grey Gardens","Taboo", " A Catered Affair", just to mention a few more recent FLOPS. ...there is a long list of shows that can be included in a 2nd book. Word has it, the author, Ken Mandelbaum who is a terrific theater writer, has been working on a 2nd book, but recently has been taken ill, so the hopes of an updated volume is anyone's guess. Get well Ken, miss your writing and show more would love to see a continuation. show less
½
THe book was okay. It was very dry and I did skip a few musicals that I had no desire to read about. I wish it was a little more current because it cut off in 1990. Still it was interesting to read what caused some big projects to go way over the shark. I also chuckled a little when he ragged on Chicago a little. We all know what happened with that musical since 1990.
This is a great book to read bit by bit--it's a bit much to get through all at once. I'd love to see an updated version with shows from the past 15 years.
Not loving this book does not exist. :^)

Members

Recently Added By

Lists

Author Information

2 Works 243 Members

Common Knowledge

Important places
New York, New York, USA

Classifications

Genres
Music, Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, History
DDC/MDS
782.14097471Arts & recreationMusicVocal Music, SingingOperas and related dramatic vocal forms; concert versionsMusicalsmodified standard subdivisions
LCC
ML1711.8 .N3 .M13MusicLiterature on musicLiterature on musicHistory and criticismVocal music
BISAC

Statistics

Members
184
Popularity
177,294
Reviews
6
Rating
½ (4.25)
Languages
English
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
3
ASINs
5