Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) Composer. Rodgers was a pioneer in crafting what became the quintessential American musical, integrating stories from books and plays and creating seamless storytelling from speech to song. From The Sound of Music to Oklahoma! to South Pacific, he helped change the face of Broadway musicals. His book, Musical Stages, Random House, 1975, first edition, signed on the first blank page “To Newton G. Brand, Jr. with kindest regards from Richard Rodgers.” The dust jacket is unblemished, and book condition is excellent.