Overview

The first collected correspondence of one of America's greatest songwriters—revealing a fascinating life and lasting influence Frank Loesser was one of the most versatile and influential figures of the Golden Age of Broadway, most famous for Guys and Dolls. A Pulitzer Prize– and Academy Award–winning composer and lyricist, he was also a successful producer and businessman who maintained a wide and rich correspondence. From Richard Rodgers and Ira Gershwin to Sammy Davis Jr. and Marlon Brando, his milieu included the great creatives of the day. Dominic Broomfield-McHugh and Cliff Eisen draw together the best of Loesser's letters to reveal the mind behind numerous hit musicals and a wealth of perennially popular songs. Clever, funny, and original, the letters shed light on Loesser's creative process, his cultural Jewishness, and his keen business sense and relationship with the musical profession. This correspondence allows us dazzling new access to the world of Broadway at its height—and reveals the scale of Loesser's influence to this day.

Full Product Details

9780300250749

Table of Contents

Reviews

“In an age when the inbox has replaced the post-box, Frank Loesser’s epistolary relationship with his family, friends and professional clients and associates seems monumental. Through his letters, he comes alive, engaging animatedly with his world and now, through this book, with new generations of Broadway enthusiasts.”—Anne Sarzin, JWire “A continuous pleasure . . . edited with a delicate touch.”—Christopher Bray, The Oldie “This meticulously-edited collection provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of one of Broadway's greatest songwriters, giving readers insight into Loesser's mind, his personal and professional life, and his creative legacy.”—Hannah Lewis, author of Voicing the Cinema “Frank Loesser spoke for the common man. He turned the language of the man on the streets of New York into pure poetry. This wonderful collection of letters reveals the man behind the music.”—Larry Blank, Broadway orchestrator and conductor “My father once was given a present from the cast of The Most Happy Fella—a silver box, engraved ‘to Frank: God, genius, and monster.’ That just begins to reveal who he was, complicated, super creative and an outsized personality. All this and more is abundantly clear from these fascinating letters, a tribute not only to Frank Loesser but to the inner workings of Broadway.”—Susan Loesser, author of A Most Remarkable Fella “Broomfield-McHugh and Eisen’s beautifully arranged and annotated volume guides the reader through a rich life, well lived. Beyond Frank Loesser the songwriter, we meet a dedicated mentor, a shrewd businessman, an honest critic, and a sometimes-acerbic wit. An essential reference work for anyone interested in the mid-century musical.”—Julianne Lindberg, author of Pal Joey: The History of a Heel

“This meticulously-edited collection provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of one of Broadway's greatest songwriters, giving readers insight into Loesser's mind, his personal and professional life, and his creative legacy.”—Hannah Lewis, author of Voicing the Cinema “Frank Loesser spoke for the common man. He turned the language of the man on the streets of New York into pure poetry. This wonderful collection of letters reveals the man behind the music.”—Larry Blank, Broadway orchestrator and conductor “My father once was given a present from the cast of The Most Happy Fella—a silver box, engraved ‘to Frank: God, genius, and monster.’ That just begins to reveal who he was, complicated, super creative and an outsized personality. All this and more is abundantly clear from these fascinating letters, a tribute not only to Frank Loesser but to the inner workings of Broadway.”—Susan Loesser, author of A Most Remarkable Fella “Broomfield-McHugh and Eisen’s beautifully arranged and annotated volume guides the reader through a rich life, well lived. Beyond Frank Loesser the songwriter, we meet a dedicated mentor, a shrewd businessman, an honest critic, and a sometimes-acerbic wit. An essential reference work for anyone interested in the mid-century musical.”—Julianne Lindberg, author of Pal Joey: The History of a Heel

“A continuous pleasure . . . edited with a delicate touch.”—Christopher Bray, The Oldie “This meticulously-edited collection provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of one of Broadway's greatest songwriters, giving readers insight into Loesser's mind, his personal and professional life, and his creative legacy.”—Hannah Lewis, author of Voicing the Cinema “Frank Loesser spoke for the common man. He turned the language of the man on the streets of New York into pure poetry. This wonderful collection of letters reveals the man behind the music.”—Larry Blank, Broadway orchestrator and conductor “My father once was given a present from the cast of The Most Happy Fella—a silver box, engraved ‘to Frank: God, genius, and monster.’ That just begins to reveal who he was, complicated, super creative and an outsized personality. All this and more is abundantly clear from these fascinating letters, a tribute not only to Frank Loesser but to the inner workings of Broadway.”—Susan Loesser, author of A Most Remarkable Fella “Broomfield-McHugh and Eisen’s beautifully arranged and annotated volume guides the reader through a rich life, well lived. Beyond Frank Loesser the songwriter, we meet a dedicated mentor, a shrewd businessman, an honest critic, and a sometimes-acerbic wit. An essential reference work for anyone interested in the mid-century musical.”—Julianne Lindberg, author of Pal Joey: The History of a Heel

Author Information

Dominic Broomfield-McHugh is professor of musicology at the University of Sheffield and a leading authority on Broadway. Cliff Eisen is professor emeritus of music history at King’s College London and one of the major Mozart scholars of his generation.

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