In Transposing Broadway, theater historian Stuart Hecht explores how Jewish creators helped define the American musical—and how, in turn, the genre offered a powerful medium for negotiating Jewish identity, assimilation, and belonging. From the early days of Tin Pan Alley to the golden age of Broadway and beyond, Hecht uncovers the subtle and overt ways in which Jewish themes, characters, and sensibilities shaped—and were shaped by—the American stage.

Through critical analysis of landmark productions and key figures, Hecht reveals how musicals served both as a mirror and a mask, reflecting Jewish experiences while transforming them into universal stories. Whether examining Show Boat, Fiddler on the Roof, or the legacy of composers like Gershwin and Bernstein, Transposing Broadway highlights the cultural symbiosis between Jewish artists and American popular culture.

Engaging, meticulously researched, and rich with historical insight, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in musical theater, Jewish studies, or the intersections of performance and identity.