Jerome Kern (music), Guy Bolton (book), and P.G. Wodehouse (lyrics) basically invented American musical theatre in the 1920s and 30s. They worked all together, or in various combinations on over thirty shows throughout their lives.

Lee Davis documents the trials, travails, and rewards of creating Broadway, West End, and even Off Broadway shows. He talks about the many personalities involved – actors, producers, directors. He also details the personal lives of the three, and follows their family histories.

Their forays into Hollywood and the film industry are also noted, as are Wodehouse’s problems in WWII, when he was interned by the Germans while living in France, and how his failure to hate anyone was perceived as collaborating with the Nazis.

A fascinating book for anyone interested in the history of American musical theatre. ( )