*Thank you to Net Galley and Avid Reader Press for the advance copy of this book*

When I was in high school I became obsessed with Rent. It had only been out for a few years and it was the first musical I ever really heard. I began exploring more musicals, but was only interested in contemporary musicals like Chicago, Phantom, etc. Riedel's book covers the mid-80's early 90's resurgence of Broadway from a producer's perspective.

If you're looking drama you won't get much beyond the opening chapter, but if you're interested in how theatre transformed Times Square (and New York City), how musicals like The Lion King and Sunset Boulevard came to be, you'll really enjoy this book.

I went into it not knowing much about what took some of my favorite musicals to find their place among the most believed productions of all time and this book helped put it all in perspective. I do wish that there was a little more backstage drama and insight into how productions came to be from the tech/artistic teams working directly with the performers. This is Riedel's second book about Broadway and I will definitely read his next book.

A detailed view of the making of Broadway's biggest hits of this new century thus far. I especially liked reading the inception of what became "Rent", from Jonathan Larson's abbreviated attempts to stage a musical to its eventual opening in the wake of his sudden death. Also detailed are Andrew Lloyd Webber's career and various feuds, Ragtime, The Producers, Phantom of the Opera, and Chicago. This also includes portraits of the Nederlander and Schubert Organizations. Fascinating insights into Broadway history.

I love Broadway, I love gossip, I love the 'history' of Broadway. Michael Riedel is one of those names that I am familiar with. He along people like Frank Rich and Ben Brantley are what made Broadway Broadway famous outside of those who don't live in New York.

When I read his first book Razzle Dazzle, I was amazed on how much history was covered! Almost every show had a part in in it, along with the actors and the theaters themselves too! When it ended at the early 90's I thought, 'we have to have a sequel' , since there is so much that happened in the 90's leading up to 9/11.

SIngluar Sensation is a good book, a very good book if you are not internet savvy. I say this because one of the things that he brings up in the later chapters is the birth of internet chatter. He mentions a website called Talking Broadway / All About Chat where people can go and talk about Broadway shows and or have questions regarding things on Broadway...

Do you see where I am going with this? Let me be real: the internet is the worst enemy of this book. Razzle Dazzle worked well in Mr. Riedel's favor due to the fact that the internet did not exist during the birth of the Broadway musical. So all the information, the stories, gossip, and etc. were all hearsay or lost in various books that may or may not be read by the everyday person. So to have him go through and interview the people who were still alive and pour through history books for the inexperienced Broadway guru is a blessing.

Singular Sensation mentions the Sunset Boulevard fiasco. If you aren't heavy into Broadway lore or familiar with Patti LuPone or Andrew Lloyd Webber, then of course the story will come across absolutely scandalous. Probably enough for people to rate the book higher than my three star rating. For people who do know? Well, we got it from the internet.

It covers the birth of RENT and the death of it's creator/composer. ... Google it, all of the information is there. (Though, I admit, there is the fact that I had no idea how dirty they did Freddi Walker during her time in the show [publicity wise]. That was a bit shocking.)

It covers the influence of Disney. Google it, it's all there.

The best bit the book covered was Livenet/Garth Drabinsky fiasco. The guy who is famous to me for bringing us the ol 'Phantom by Phone: Call 872-2222!' and the hype for Toronto in the 90's. That is where most of the book's rating comes from. Being that I am friends with people who are associated or familiar with that time, seeing a good handle / scope of the rise and fall of that man was a treat. I feel sorry for the countless actors and the people he fooled. It makes me wonder what could have been if his company was handled more efficiently. Though, I don't know if we would have gotten Phantom. His want and strive to have the best in Toronto was addicting and it was one of those things of the past that would probably not happen or be if it were anybody else.

So. Where am I going with this review? The point is, this book was a nice sequel, but it felt too tame, too hindered by the internet, and frankly brought nothing really new to the table in terms of history and or insight to a 90's pre 9/11 world. I gave it three stars because it is a well written book, and it was the first time we had a chronological and in-depth look at the Livenet/Drabinsky fiasco.

Again. I'm a Broadway fan, but perhaps I'm a little too knowledgeable. Or maybe he just chose to not focus on the more interesting things. Who knows?