All that Glitters: top 100 songs of Broadway’s Golden Age (today's Weekly Blast)
What's the crown jewel?
Shalom, Broadway lovers!
In today’s Weekly Blast: a thorough video countdown of Golden Age of Broadway songs; a FREE offer for teachers; and a Last Blast about A Little Night Music. This week, Premium subscribers also get a review of a book about Broadway references; a “Peter Filichia’s Broadway” about Hello, Dolly!; a Broadway Blast about Annie Get Your Gun; and a survey about favorite “shows!”
SAVE THE DATES: “Sondheim Academy” has just been announced, Tuesdays in February and March, Noon ET. Also in February, “Funny Broadway,” Sundays at Noon ET. Registration opens in early January 2024.
I’m quite proud of my latest video, which touches on the top 100 songs from the Golden Age of Broadway. Check it out:
TEACHERS’ OFFER: Do you teach theater or coach drama? Theater educators get a FREE year’s Premium subscription to the Broadway Maven’s Weekly Blast. Contact DavidBenkof@gmail.com to get the upgrade.
Note: links to register for ALL classes are always available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.
• Sunday, December 3 from 1 pm to 2:15 ET Golden Age of Broadway make-up session (registration closed)
• Sunday, February 4, 2024 from Noon to 1 pm: “Funny Broadway” begins (registration opens in January)
• Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from Noon to 1 pm: “Sondheim Academy” begins (registration opens in January)
LAST BLAST: The foibles of the characters in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s A Little Night Music range from Desirée’s hesitation to Fredrik’s young bride to Henrik’s shame to, well, pretty much everyone’s adultery. There’s one character, though, who’s portrayed as solid, put-together, and balanced: the maid Petra. In her song, “The Miller’s Son,” she reveals herself as both stable and imaginative, a real contrast to the weaknesses and regrets of the other characters. Her personality is apt, since “Petra” means “rock” in Greek.
Broadway Maven David Benkof helps students further their appreciation of musical theater through his classes, his YouTube channel, and his Weekly Blast. Contact him at DavidBenkof@gmail.com.