A major new anthology of groundbreaking American musicals.

During the 1990's, a new generation of composers, lyricists and librettists emerged radically changing the face of American musical theatre. With Broadway becoming mostly a museum for revivals and Disney blockbusters, these new artists have fashioned a more highly personal and challenging form of musical theatre less interested in pure entertainment and the creation of diversions. Their work bears the influence of composers like Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Mark Blitzstein and Leonard Bernstein and their music and lyrics demand a greater commitment from the listener. The work is often dark and the stories they illuminate cut to the heart of post-modern America.

This anthology collects for the first time the groundbreaking work of these innovative new artists:

Rent, Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Floyd Collins, Music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Tina Landau

Parade, Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, book by Alfred Uhry

The Wild Party, Music and lyrics by Michael John La Chiusa, book by Michael John La Chiusa and George C. Wolfe