This coffee-table book on the history of musical theater is presented with Dorling Kindersley’s trademark lush sensuality -- smooth, heavy pages; vibrant colors; pleasing layouts; lavish illustrations. And though it’s also trademark DK in its focus on breadth over depth, there’s actually a fair amount of explanatory text here, too.

The volume opens by describing the evolution of musical theater (from revues like the Ziegfeld Follies, to smaller-stage productions, and on to fully plotted stories) and then highlights 200+ American and British musicals, both stage and screen (and often both). They’re overwhelmingly from the 20th and 21st centuries, presented chronologically, each summarized over 1-4 pages and accompanied by sidebars and spreads on notable participants (composers, lyricists, actors, directors, etc.).

Though it doesn’t feel deep enough to be “definitive,” it's an enjoyable exploration of musical theater.

(Review based on a copy of the book provided by the publisher.) ( )