Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) forged a remarkable, multifaceted career as a librettist, lyricist, playwright, director, and producer. He wrote
Carmen Jones, Carousel, Show Boat
, and, with longtime collaborator Richard Rodgers,
Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The King and I,
and
The Sound of Music.
Hugh Fordin enjoyed complete access to the Hammerstein archives and conducted numerous interviews with family and colleagues like Rodgers, Berlin, Robbins, and Sondheim. The result is the definitive biography of a creative giant, who changed forever the texture of American theater.