A charming, likeable work based on the popular French play. Reading musicals always lacks something, because music isn't meant to be read, but heard. If you have seen the show, it helps a bit, because you might remember the tune enough to hum it a bit. That said, this doesn't read as well as it plays, because so much of it relies on spectacle, but the gist of the story is still intact. Probably should be read by most theatre students, because it has become such a classic in musical theatre. ( )