The 923-page hardback was penned by Thomas Hischak and features more than 2,000 entries. The book offers detailed information about musicals, performers, composers, lyricists, producers, choreographers and more. The "Companion," according to press notes, "is a comprehensive guide to the American musical, covering not only theatre, but movies and television as well. . . [It is] one of the first works to look at the many musicals written specifically for television, from familiar favorites to more obscure shows that utilized the same songwriters and performers that worked for Broadway and Hollywood."

Hischak is Professor of Theatre at the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is the author of 16 books on theatre, film and popular music, including "The Oxford Companion to American Theatre," "Theatre As Human Action" and "American Musical Theatre Song Encyclopedia." Hischak is also the author of 20 published plays.

"The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television" retails for $39.95.