Recommendation for books on Broadway Musicals

I was wondering if anyone has recommendations on a book to buy as a gift. I want to get something on musical theatre/Broadway for my niece. She's written the book for two musicals that have played locally where we live, so something maybe geared towards writers would be amazing. I've looked at Seth Rudetsky's books but he has a few and I'm not sure which one would be good. Also looked at Razzle Dazzle and Musicals; The Definitive Illustrated Story. Not sure if any of these are good? Thanks!

Not Since Carrie

Before The Parade Passes By

The Abominable Showman

Put On A Happy Face

Updated On: 12/16/15 at 01:24 PM

Fosse by Sam Wasson.

Writing the Broadway Musical by Aaron Frankel is older, but good, but probably too simplistic for someone who has already written two shows.

Second the recommendations for the Sondheim books.

Are you able to snoop at her shelves to see what she already owns?

Most of the recommendations will be for classics - which she may have already read. If you're looking for current books, I enjoyed "Razzle Dazzzle" although many here found errors and had issues with it. As someone interested in the backstage story of the place with a memory of the times, I found it fascinating.

Echo the recommendations of the Sondheim hat books and "Everything Was Possible" - both of these have the advantage that if she has only read them once and doesn't yet own them, she'll be likely to return to them.

Also, as a writer, the hilarious "Diary of a Mad Playwright" by James Kirkwood gives a not-entirely-credible backstage view of the disastrous attempt to take a play of his to Broadway with Mary Martin and Carol Channing.

Updated On: 12/16/15 at 09:53 PM

The Great Parade by Peter Filichia is a good one. He looks at the shows from the 1963-64 Broadway season. Lots of backstage stuff. Not Since Carrie is another good one.

Less history and more analysis than most of the ones listed above, but I really like Scott Miller's books.

Not Since Carrie

Thanks everyone for such great recommendations!! I ended up getting her Not Carrie because it sounds pretty amazing. I know I'm going to pick up some of these for myself too!

Everything Was Possible. The book about Follies.

Free For All is another good one I forgot about until I saw it suggested above.

I'd like to second the recommendation of Jen Tepper's books if you're interested in interviews at all. Mostly actors (from many eras) but also many other people who have worked at each broadway theatre in different capacities. Very easy books to pick up and read a little bit and then put back down or skip to another section.