Beating Broadway : How to Create Stories for Musicals That Get Standing Ovations

The popularity of musicals has reached an all-time high leading to the development of numerous original shows. In this comprehensive new guide, Beating Broadway: How to Create Stories for Musicals That Get Standing Ovations, written by veteran storyteller and successful creator of musicals Steve Cuden, readers learn how the plots and stories behind musicals are developed and honed. With a breezy, lighthearted approach, creators at all levels are provided key advice for building winning musical stories.

Cuden, who has been there, done that, offers writers the know-how and encouragement to construct brilliant, attention-grabbing musical storylines. Beating Broadway provides readers with practical, down-to-earth advice for crafting successful musical theater stories that will reach audiences everywhere. This complete, two-part manual also guides aspiring writers in what it takes to develop shows that can attract Broadway producers. By showing writers the ins and outs of storytelling required for today’s commercial musical theater, Beating Broadway places success firmly within grasp. Readers also gain insight into how stories function in forty of the world’s most beloved stage and movie musicals as Cuden breaks down each one into key narrative beats and plot points.

“Beating Broadway is a take-you-by-the-hand guided tutorial written by a seasoned professional who really knows his stuff. This book feeds your mind with how stories for musicals are made. If you are interested in creating or producing a musical, Steve’s insights will be helpful and inspiring to you.JEFF MARX, Tony winning Composer/Lyricist of Avenue Q

“Beating Broadway digs deep to the core of how stories for successful musicals are created. This is a must-have book for anyone who wants to write exceptional musicals or is just a fan.”SCOTT WITTMAN, Tony Winning Lyricist of Hairspray and Co-Lyricist and Executive Producer for the Hit TV Series, Smash

“Beat-by-beat, Steve Cuden breaks down story, structure, and song spotting so you can beat the Broadway musical before it beats you!”CHERI STEINKELLNER, Emmy-winning Writer/Producer of Cheers and Teacher’s Pet, Tony-nominated Writer of Sister Act

Steve Cuden co-created the Broadway and international hit musical, Jekyll & Hyde. Cuden co-wrote the show's original book and lyrics with noted composer Frank Wildhorn and also contributed lyrics for numerous songs in the long-running Broadway show. He teamed with Wildhorn again to co-conceive the international hit musical Rudolf, Affaire Mayerling, which has been produced on stages in Hungary, Vienna, Japan, and Korea.

He also directed and co-produced the cult favorite, award-winning horror-comedy feature, Lucky.

Having written nearly ninety teleplays for popular animated TV shows, Cuden's work has been featured in such notable shows as X-Men, The Batman, Goof Troop, Pink Panther, Xiaolin Showdown, and Iron Man.

He teaches screenwriting at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.