Several veteran producers had contemplated musicalizing the play before, including Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz, but found the play ill-suited for musical theater. Fortunately, the rights were controlled by Chase Manhattan Bank, under the same officer who oversaw Lerner's father's estate. CBS Chairman William S. Paley was suitably impressed that his company put up all the money. This was a Broadway first. The play, of course, opened in 1956 to rave notices, which have yet to cease.
Lees does a simply brilliant job of laying out the facts.
He has traced nearly every detail back to original sources, and places the stories in their contemporary perspectives through careful use of newspaper stories. Call it historiography made interesting. Furthermore, Lees displays his vast knowledge of popular music on almost every page. Every narrative is accompanied by helpful examples. The most pleasing aspect of the book is Lees's genuine respect, if not admiration, for his subjects.