This book investigates the often-overlooked role of the orchestrator in shaping the sonic identity of Broadway musical theater. Steven Suskin, a respected chronicler of musical theater history, utilizes extensive research and archival analysis to document the evolution of orchestration techniques from the early 20th century to the modern era. He argues that the orchestrator acts as a vital creative partner to the composer, translating melodic ideas into the complex instrumental textures that define the Broadway sound.

Experts and theater historians frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for understanding the mechanics of musical theater production. Readers often note the technical density of the prose, which provides a comprehensive look at a specialized craft that is rarely documented with such rigor.