Another National Anthem: Stephen Sondheim and Postwar American Jewish Culture
How The Master echoed contemporaries like Philip Roth, Lenny Bruce, and Carole King
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Shalom, Broadway lovers!
In today’s issue of MARQUEE: The Broadway Maven’s Weekly Blast: A) an ambitious video lecture about the sensibility Sondheim shared with other American Jewish artists of his era; B) a recommendation for a real gem of a Substack that’s definitely worth subscribing to; C) photos from my visit to the Oz Museum in (where else?) rural Kansas; D) a Broadway Blast about Falsettos; E) a quick quiz about character names; and F) a Last Blast about Kimberly Akimbo.
VIDEO INTRODUCTION: What connects Company to Goodbye, Columbus? Sweeney Todd to Joan Rivers? Pacific Overtures to The Fabelmans?
In this provocative and illuminating talk, Broadway Maven David Benkof reveals hidden resonances between Stephen Sondheim’s musicals and the work of iconic Jewish-American artists like Philip Roth, Carole King, and Lenny Bruce. This isn't some collection of clever comparisons—it's a deep exploration of how postwar Jewish-American artists used irony, humor, and nuanced cultural critique to grapple with identity, assimilation, belonging, and survival in a changing America. Even if you’ve never considered Sondheim through this lens—or if you're not yet convinced such connections exist—this lecture compellingly demonstrates why Sondheim is more than a master composer; he’s a central voice in the ongoing cultural conversation about what it means to be both Jewish and American.
Featured pairings include:
• Philip Roth’s Goodbye, Columbus and Company
• Lenny Bruce’s “Jewish and Goyish” and Follies
• Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans and Pacific Overtures
• Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” and A Little Night Music
• Norman Lear’s All in the Family and Sunday in the Park with George
• Joan Rivers’s stand-up and Sweeney Todd
• Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” and Assassins
• Diane Arbus’s "Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park" and Into the Woods
If you’ve ever felt that Sondheim belongs in the same cultural breath as Philip Roth, Lenny Bruce, and Carole King—this is the lecture that shows why.
Note: The full video is not available in Israel or the United Kingdom, so I uploaded this version without the scene from The Fabelmans that should be viewable throughout the world.
RECOMMENDATION: Have I got a Substack for you! 100Showtunes (which is free) has only been around a few months, and it's already one of my favorites. Author Donald Butchko breaks down one Broadway song a week, giving historical and analytical perspectives, along with recommended recordings and performances. My favorite recurring feature, though, is when he answers the question "Is it Covered by The Rat Pack, Audra McDonald, or Glee?" Here's "Memory" and here's "The Ladies Who Lunch." Butchko’s writing is inviting and intelligent at the same time. I recommend it warmly.
Sign up for 100Showtunes here:
BROADWAY BLAST: In Falsettos, psychiatrist Mendel is hired to help Marvin and Trina clarify their messy family dynamics, yet he quickly becomes part of the mess himself. His name echoes "meddle," emphasizing how inappropriate his actions become—especially when he marries Trina, transforming himself from therapist to family member. The deeper irony isn’t just Mendel’s lack of professionalism; it's that even a person trained to unravel emotional knots can’t resist getting tied up in one.
QUIZ: In what Broadway shows would you find: A) three Kates; B) two Celestes; and C) one Ermengarde? Answers at the end of the issue, after the Last Blast.
PITCH DAY: Our first celebrity panelist for “Pitch Day” has been confirmed: Tony winner Robert L. Freedman, author of the Best Musical winner A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, the deliciously dark musical comedy that thrilled Broadway audiences a decade ago. The event, slated for early Fall, will enable a select group of MARQUEE subscribers to present their musical show ideas to a panel of experts for feedback. Projects will be pre-screened and the brave selected applicants will have a chance to summarize plot, play a song, perhaps share a lyric, and hear what true pros have to say. If you’d like to be included, please contact David at DavidBenkof@gmail.com.
(Oh, and we also have room for more celebrity panelists! You know who you are.)
PETITION: In opposition to the looming Times Square casino, The Broadway Maven is circulating the following petition. Read more here:
We, the undersigned, oppose the construction of a casino in Times Square. It would threaten the fragile ecosystem that sustains Broadway’s theaters, artists, and surrounding community. While we respect the many perspectives within the theater industry, we encourage Actor’s Equity, allied unions, and other Broadway stakeholders to end their support and let individuals weigh the issue on its merits. Times Square is not the right place for a casino—and it’s not too late to stop it.
Note: A full calendar of upcoming classes is always available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.
• Monday, June 16 Noon and 7 pm ET The Broadway Institute (Fiddler on the Roof as Sacred Text) (Members only)
• Tuesday, June 17 Noon and 7 pm ET Les Misérables part two (Members only)
• Monday, June 23 Noon and 7 pm ET The Broadway Institute (Broadway and Society) (Members only)
• Tuesday, June 24 Noon and 7 pm ET Les Misérables part three (Members only)
• Monday, June 30 Noon and 7 pm ET The Broadway Institute (Broadway’s future) (Members only)
• Tuesday, July 1 Noon and 7 pm ET Avenue Q (Members only)
• Monday, July 7 Noon and 7 pm ET Come From Away (FREE, Registration opens soon)
LAST BLAST: In Kimberly Akimbo, Kimberly’s life is out of order—her body is racing ahead, her parents are stuck in place, and no one is where they’re supposed to be. But when she and Seth play with anagrams, suddenly everything makes sense. The same letters, when shuffled, reveal new meaning. And isn’t that what Kimberly Akimbo is doing in every moment? It takes a life that should be tragic and rearranges it—finding humor in sadness, love in unlikely places, and hope in the strangest combinations. The show reminds us that sometimes, we don’t need a new life. We just need to look at it a different way.
ANSWERS TO QUIZ: Titanic; Sunday in the Park with George; Hello, Dolly!
The Broadway Maven is a vibrant educational community that helps its members think more deeply about musical theater. Every month, members may attend 5-15 expert-led classes and innovative Broadway experiences, all for just $18. We also foster enthusiasm for Broadway through the FREE weekly Substack newsletter MARQUEE and host an expansive YouTube channel. It's your home for Broadway appreciation. Contact The Broadway Maven at DavidBenkof@gmail.com.