This is the first book to take musicals seriously from a spiritual theological and philosophical point of view. Written in an easy and accessible style it will appeal to fans of musical theatre interested in probing under the surface of their favourite shows to all those interested in the relationship between religion and popular culture and to students of liturgy contemporary Christianity and musical theatre..  The musical has been perhaps the most dominant and ubiquitous icon of the twentieth century. This book argues that musicals provide millions of people across the world not just with entertainment and escapism but with spiritual and theological values a philosophy of life and an encounter with God. It traces the underlying philosophy and workd view found in musical theatre from Gilbert and Sullivan to The Lion King and Rent. The author identifies the theme of dreaming as central to the ethos of musicals and traces how it has developed and changed reflecting the growing angst and pessimism of recent decades. The spiritual theological and philosophical resonances of seminal musicals like Carousel Jesus Christ Superstar and Les Miserables are discussed in detail and the book ends by looking at what message musical theatre may have for the churches and for Christian worship in particular.
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