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Broadway Nation
- Author
- David Armstrong
- Narrator
- David Armstrong
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 17 September 2026
- Run Time
- 18 hours 52 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
A groundbreaking exploration that reveals the powerful impact of marginalized groups on the evolution of the Broadway Musical.
At the turn of the 20th century, immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African Americans faced exclusion from mainstream American society, with limited employment opportunities. They found their calling in the emerging field of "Show Business", particularly the burgeoning Broadway Musical. Their pioneering spirit not only seized this opportunity but also continued to shape and dominate the Broadway Musical for over a century, creating an art form that has deeply influenced American culture.
Throughout its history, the Broadway Musical has subtly and at times boldly championed human rights and liberal values, reflecting its creators' and performers' diverse backgrounds. Unlike previous works on musical theatre history, this book weaves these diverse threads into a comprehensive narrative, repositioning Black, Queer, and Women artists at the heart of the story, acknowledging their long-standing contributions often overlooked.
Broadway Nation is a valuable resource for both students and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this beloved American art form. Readers will gain profound insights into the history and transformation of the Broadway Musical over a span of more than a century. Additionally, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Lin Manuel-Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon.
Critics Review
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Armstrong’s contribution earns its place, offering both a reminder of the rich, multivocal traditions that shaped the Broadway musical and an invitation to continue interrogating the stories we tell about its creation.
Theater Pizzazz
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Every musical fan will love this absolutely tip-top, toe-tapping, tome … Broadway Nation is one of the best books I have read on musical theatre: timely, honest, lively, and full of love in paying tribute to those who created the musical as we understand it today.
LouReviews
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“David Armstrong’s Broadway Nation is a lively, engaging, and fascinating journey through the vibrant history of the Broadway musical. With thoughtful, insightful readings of numerous productions, Armstrong uncovers the ground-breaking contributions of immigrant, Jewish, queer, and Black artists—many of whom were marginalized yet shaped one of America’s most enduring art forms. Through rich anecdotes and keen insights, this compelling book reclaims their legacies, offering a fresh perspective on theater history. Whether you’re a historian, a theatermaker, or a passionate fan, Broadway Nation is an important and impossible-to-put-down tribute to the diverse voices behind the Great White Way.”
Stacy Wolf, Princeton University, author of Beyond Broadway and Changed for Good
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“A fascinating, comprehensive, and timely gem of a book that more than lives up to its promise of delivering no less than five books in one. Kudos to David Armstrong for his masterful exploration of the origins, continuities, and connections among five indispensable groups of artists that made the American musical and the musical American: Immigrants, Jews, Queers, Blacks, and Women (I, J, Q, B, and W).”
Geoffrey Block, author of Enchanted Evenings: The Broadway Musical from “Show Boat” to Sondheim and Lloyd Webber
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The playwright, producer, professor, and podcast host shares his expertise in the comprehensive and thoroughly researched Broadway Nation … His encyclopedic knowledge in Broadway Nation is a superlative contribution to the rich range of the Broadway musical.
The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide
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“Through his passion and intellect, David sheds a light on the communities that collectively crafted the Broadway musical. His experience as a writer, director, producer, and educator comes together in a refreshing examination of the histories that make up the art form.”
Ian Eisendrath, Olivier Award-winning and Grammy-nominated Music Producer, Music Supervisor, Conductor, and Arranger of theater and film, including Come From Away, A Christmas Story, Disney’s live-action Snow White, and Hulu's Only Murders In The Building
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“David Armstrong's insightful history of the evolution of the Broadway Musical and its creators is captivating and comprehensive as well as indispensable.”
Tony Award-winning lyricist David Zippel
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“Everyone interested in musical theatre — students, working professionals, and passionate fans — will be entirely captivated by this comprehensive history of the Broadway musical and its story of the Black, Gay, Jewish, and Immigrant men and women who invented it. I said it when I first worked with him in 1982, and I say it again now in 2025, ‘David Armstrong is a genius!’”
Jenifer Lewis, actress and author of The Mother of Black Hollywood
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Armstrong’s comprehensive overview is a welcome and quite readable addition to all theater collections.
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Details
- Author
- David Armstrong
- Narrator
- David Armstrong
- Duration
- 18 hours 52 minutes
- Release Date
- 17 September 2026
- ISBN
- 9781350652392
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Musical scores, lyrics and libretti, Theatre studies
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents Broadway Nation, written and read by David Armstrong.A groundbreaking exploration that reveals the powerful impact of marginalized groups on the evolution of the Broadway Musical.At the turn of the 20th century, immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African Americans faced exclusion from mainstream American society, with limited employment opportunities. They found their calling in the emerging field of "Show Business", particularly the burgeoning Broadway Musical. Their pioneering spirit not only seized this opportunity but also continued to shape and dominate the Broadway Musical for over a century, creating an art form that has deeply influenced American culture.Throughout its history, the Broadway Musical has subtly and at times boldly championed human rights and liberal values, reflecting its creators' and performers' diverse backgrounds. Unlike previous works on musical theatre history, this book weaves these diverse threads into a comprehensive narrative, repositioning Black, Queer, and Women artists at the heart of the story, acknowledging their long-standing contributions often overlooked.Broadway Nation is a valuable resource for both students and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this beloved American art form. Readers will gain profound insights into the history and transformation of the Broadway Musical over a span of more than a century. Additionally, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Lin Manuel-Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon.
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