A fascinating addition to musical theater history, with a narrative that moves beyond the usual focus on Broadway alone. The musical is an international form and has been for a long time.

Book Review: "The Year that Made the Musical: 1924 and the Glamour of Musical Theatre" by William A. Everett
"The Year that Made the Musical: 1924 and the Glamour of Musical Theatre" by William A. Everett is a compelling exploration of a pivotal year in the history of musical theatre. This book provides an in-depth look at how 1924 brought together various elements of stagecraft, blending the old with the new and the traditional with the innovative. Everett's detailed research and engaging narrative make this book a must-read for anyone interested in musical or ethnic history.

This book provided incredible insight into the pervasive racism in Broadway musicals from their inception. While I am well-versed in the history of blues and rock 'n' roll, seeing how racial issues transcended genres was quite eye-opening. The first 50 pages were challenging due to the raw truths presented, but the remaining chapters were much more enjoyable and enlightening.

Key Highlights

1. Everett highlights how 1924 was truly transnational, with significant contributions from producers, performers, and creators worldwide. This global perspective enriches the narrative and showcases the interconnectedness of the musical theatre scene.

2. Diverse Genres: The book covers various genres, including revues, musical comedies, zarzuelas, and operettas. This diversity illustrates the thriving theatrical ecosystem of the time and how different genres influenced each other.

3. Prominent Figures: Everett sheds light on both established and emerging talents of 1924. Established leads like Marie Tempest and Fred Stone continued to shine, while new talents such as Florence Mills, Fred and Adele Astaire, Gertrude Lawrence, and George Gershwin began making their mark.

4. Racial and Social Context: One of the book's most striking aspects is its exploration of racial issues in musical theatre. Everett doesn't shy away from discussing the racism prevalent in the industry, providing a critical perspective that is often overlooked.

Why This Book Matters
This book offers a broader understanding of musical history for followers of the Rock 'n' Roll Highway. It shows how 1924's themes of innovation, cultural exchange, and artistic evolution laid the groundwork for future musical developments, including those in rock 'n' roll and other genres.

Visual and Design Appeal
The book is visually appealing, featuring fascinating photographs from the past that bring the narrative to life. These images complement the text and visually represent the era's glamour and creativity.

Advance Praise
"The Year That Made the Musical" has garnered praise from notable figures in the field:

- Doug Reside, Digital Curator for the Performing Arts, New York Public Library: "William Everett convincingly demonstrates that 1924 has been overlooked as a pivotal year when the changes and developments that might ordinarily play out over a decade were compressed into a single twelve-month period."

One more note...
"The Year that Made the Musical: 1924 and the Glamour of Musical Theatre" by William A. Everett is a fascinating and well-researched book that offers deep insights into a transformative year in musical theatre history. For fans of music history or ethnic history, this book is a valuable addition to your collection. Its detailed narrative and beautiful photographs make it both an educational and enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the intersection of music, culture, and history. #TheYearthatMadetheMusical #NetGalley

What a great read - The amount of research over whelming. Had no idea such great entertainment happened all in 1 year.. The catalog is so accurate - • A brilliant exploration of one of the most remarkable and action-packed years in the history of musical theatre - Strong appeal not just to those in musical studies but indeed to anyone interested in the glamor and innovative artistic creativity of the Roaring ‘20s.

Full of little known fascinating information, and beautiful photos. This book is nothing short of an historical treat.

Thank you to Cambridge University Press and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a big fan of musicals, so I knew I had to request this book. This book was really interesting and very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Musicals or Broadway theatre.