As a programmer turned musical theatre composer, I recommend these books on the craft of writing musicals: Stephen Sondheim - Finishing the Hat / Look, I Made

As a programmer turned musical theatre composer, I recommend these books on the craft of writing musicals: Stephen Sondheim - Finishing the Hat / Look, I Made a Hat Sondheim (Sweeney Todd, Company etc) breaks down his own lyrics and explains how they work and why. He has a very analytical mind and thinks so lucidly and mathematically about his work, a true engineer and artist. Highly recommended. http://amzn.eu/8p4E1LC http://amzn.eu/8p4E1LC http://amzn.eu/jhRmjFA http://amzn.eu/jhRmjFA Aaron Frankel - Writing the Broadway Musical A great overview of the process of writing for musical theatre, how musicals work and pitfalls to avoid http://amzn.eu/8SAea4c http://amzn.eu/8SAea4c Jack Viertel - The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows are Built I haven't read this book fully, but I'm looking forward to finishing it. A great breakdown of musicals and how they are put together. http://amzn.eu/enr9dHe http://amzn.eu/enr9dHe