This book investigates the pervasive role of musical theatre as a vital, thriving national folk practice across the United States. Stacy Wolf, a professor of theatre and American studies, utilizes extensive field research and ethnographic observation to argue that musical theatre extends far beyond the professional stages of New York City. By examining diverse venues ranging from high school auditoriums to summer camps, she demonstrates how the genre functions as a primary site for community building and identity formation in American culture.

Scholars and theatre practitioners recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of performance culture outside of major urban centers. Readers frequently note the accessible yet rigorous academic approach that bridges the gap between theatre history and contemporary social practice.