Big Broadway Hardback Books!

Hi all!

This is the second time I've posted about this topic, the first time being a couple years ago!

I collect the large coffee-table books about the creative process and construction of Broadway musicals. They are absolutely stunning and often include original set and costume sketches, backstage photographs, annotated full librettos, secrets and stories from the cast and crew, and more! Over the years I have found more online than I ever expected to exist - with a lot of help from this forum! I now own:

• Wicked: The Grimmerie
• Les Miserables: Stage to Screen
• Book of Mormon: Testament of a Broadway Musical
• Hamilton: The Revolution
• Dear Evan Hansen: Through The Window
• Mary Poppins: Anything Can Happen If You Let It
• Aladdin: A Whole New World
• Spring Awakening: In The Flesh
• RENT: Jonathon Larson

I do not yet own but also know of and want:

• Hairspray: The Roots
• The Lion King: Pride Rock on Broadway
• The Little Mermaid: From the Deep Blue Sea to the Great White Way
• Beaty and the Beast: A Celebration of the Broadway Musical
• Great Comet: The Journey of a New Musical
• The Art and Making of The Greatest Showman
• Avenue Q: The Book

Do you know of any that I have missed on these lists? Let me know and I can add them in so we have a master list!

Additionally, do you own any of the above books? Which is your favorite?

And lastly, which musicals would you like to see this style of book for? I would love them for Newsies, Falsettos, and Into the Woods!!

Chloe xx

Updated On: 1/25/19 at 09:53 PM

I love these coffee table books as well. Strand Bookstore always seems to have a few in their oversized theatre/film section, so if you're ever in NYC I recommend looking there (I bought one on The Producers not too long ago).

I also loved the Playbill Yearbook series -- it was a fun, behind the scenes look at all the shows running every season. I miss them! 

I've said this before, but I really hope a coffee table book is released on the making of Come From Away, especially now with all of the international productions opening up. 

Emmaloucbway said: "I love these coffee table books as well. Strand Bookstore always seems to have a few in their oversized theatre/film section, so if you're ever in NYC I recommend looking there (I bought one on The Producers not too long ago).

I also loved the Playbill Yearbook series -- it was a fun, behind the sceneslook at all the shows running every season. I miss them!

I've said this before, but I really hope a coffee table book is released on the making of Come From Away, especially now with all of the international productions opening up."

I absolutely would love to see one for Come From Away! I've also heard the Playbill Yearbook Series is great, perhaps I will look into it.

Thanks for the heads up about Strand Bookstore! If I find myself in New York anytime soon I will definitely go take a look. I'd love the Producers book, I'll start looking around online for it!

I have one for Phantom that I found at a local secondhand book shop. It's set up like a usual coffee table book, although it's a little smaller than my others and paperback. Has the libretto, pics of Crawford and Brightman, all the usual stuff. Really cool HD pic of the Phantom makeup.

There's also one for Les Mis that wasn't on your list that has the libretto and other similar stuff with Colm Wilkinson, Frances Ruffelle, and others.

It's not devoted to one show, but Martin Gottfried wrote two BIG books, "Broadway Musicals," which ends around the time of "A Chorus Line," and a second volume that goes into the '90s.  The first is hard to carry, the second less so.

stoptheworld38 said: "I have Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Great Comet (which was on sale for like $12 at Barnes & Noble after the show closed)

In May we're finally getting one for Come From Away and I may or may not be counting the days..."

Oooooh this is great news!!!! I can't wait!!! Now I'll be counting down the days too! :)