“Pretty wonderful” West Side Story books (Don't miss today's Weekly Blast!)Reviewing a trio of books that will make you want to see it againShalom, Broadway lovers!August classes have been announced (see calendar below) and registration is now open for:• a Sondheim Master Seminar on four Tuesdays in August: Company (August 8); A Little Night Music (August 15); Merrily We Roll Along (August 22); and Into the Woods (August 29). It’s $12 per class or $39 for all four.• a Sunday series: Gershwin on Broadway (August 6); The Pajama Game/Damn Yankees (August 13); Ragtime/Parade (August 20); and Wicked (August 27). It’s $9 per class or $29 for all four.An August ALL-ACCESS Pass includes all eight classes for a total of $59 — a savings of $25. You can buy that through either of the above links.This Weekly Blast contains:A) a three-part REVIEW of some books on West Side Story (contained here FREE in this preview edition);B) a NEWS ROUNDUP;C) a Peter Filichia’s BROADWAY video commentary in which Peter discusses Show Boat;D) a keen statistical ANALYSIS from another newsletter about Broadway attendance;E) Broadway Maven YouTube GEM that’s a 10-minute version of Mary Poppins; andF) LAST BLASTs about The Book of Mormon (included here FREE) and The Producers.Ever since Maria cradled the dying Tony in her arms, much ink has been spilled over the tremendous creative work behind West Side Story. I recently read three such books, all worth checking out. The most accessible of the three is Something’s Coming, Something Good: West Side Story and the American Imagination by Misha Berson. The book looks at the West Side Story phenomenon from lots of angles in its 15 chapters, from the music and lyrics to the dances to the differences between the show and Romeo and Juliet. Expect lots of interesting morsels in this somewhat scattershot but still entertaining book, such as excerpts from some of the show’s initial reviews whose critiques (“strangely empty of real emotional content”) seem laughable today. We learn that the show had the initial, dreadful title Gangway! complete with exclamation mark. Berson gives detailed character notes that differentiate between Jets members Action and A-rab, for example. And we find out that Michael Jackson loved West Side Story so much that his videos for both “Beat It” and “Bad” can be considered homages to the film. A second book is by Elizabeth A. Wells: West Side Story: Cultural Perspectives on an American Musical. Her book is also well-written, if somewhat more formal in style. Its interest is in sociocultural history and putting the show in the broader context of American culture. Like the other books, it traces the history of the musical from idea to show to film. But it also takes a very close look at Leonard Bernstein’s music (complete with excerpts from the score) and examines the roles of women and Hispanics in the show. However, the best part about Wells’s book are two chapters related to gangs, because that’s where readers will find interviews with actual gang members who saw the film. The comments are a treat: one says their girlfriends “wouldn’t understand” the movie; and another gang member sounded right out of the film: “Notice at the dance tonight, when we dance with the Spanish girls, their guys give us dirty looks.” Finally, though West Side Story as Cinema by Ernesto R. Acevedo-Muñoz is the most academic of the three, it also happens to be the most delightful…. UPCOMING CLASSES: The Broadway Maven’s classes continue in August with four Master Classes on the greatest musical theater composer, Stephen Sondheim. Taught at an advanced level by author and critic Peter Filichia and Broadway Maven David Benkof, the classes meet Tuesdays from Noon to 1:15 pm ET. Each class will delve into the historical background of the show and focus on themes and meanings by exploring the book, lyrics, and score. Even if you consider yourself a Sondheim expert, you’ll find this Master Seminar valuable. The classes cost $12 each, but we offer a $9 discount if you sign up for all four classes, reducing the total cost to $39. There’s also a $59 ALL-ACCESS Pass for August that includes four classes on Sundays (see calendar). Registration is strictly limited to 99 people. The Broadway Maven is running a series of classes chosen by students on Sundays in August. The classes meet from Noon to 1 pm ET. We’ll listen to music from the shows, discuss the creators, dissect lyrics, and try to identify themes and symbols. The classes cost $9 each, but we offer a $7 discount if you sign up for all four classes, reducing the total cost to $29. There’s also a $59 ALL-ACCESS Pass for August that includes four Sondheim classes on Tuesdays (see calendar). Registration is strictly limited to 99 people. Note: links to register for ALL classes are always available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.• Friday, July 21 BroadwayCon Panel on Stephen Sondheim with David Benkof, Peter Filichia, Howard Ho, and Gail Leondar-Wright (1:15 pm to 2:15 pm) • Sunday, August 6 Gershwin on Broadway (Noon to 1:00 pm ET, $9 or $29 for the Sunday series) • Tuesday, August 8 Company (Noon to 1:15 pm ET, $12 or $39 for the Sondheim series) • Sunday, August 13 The Pajama Game and Damn Yankees (Noon to 1:00 pm ET, $9 or $29 for the Sunday series) • Tuesday, August 15 A Little Night Music (Noon to 1:15 pm ET, $12 or $39 for the Sondheim series) • Sunday, August 20 Ragtime and Parade (Noon to 1:00 pm ET, $9 or $29 for the Sunday series) • Tuesday, August 22 Merrily We Roll Along (Noon to 1:15 pm ET, $12 or $39 for the Sondheim series) • Sunday, August 27 Wicked (Noon to 1:00 pm ET, $9 or $29 for the Sunday series) • Tuesday, August 29 Into the Woods (Noon to 1:15 pm ET, $12 or $39 for the Sondheim series) LAST BLAST: The main missionaries in The Book of Mormon have last names that symbolize their attitudes toward their stay in Africa. Elder Price is concerned about the sacrifices he’s making to try to convert the locals, whereas Elder Cunningham in his clever (cunning) and over-the-top (ham) way is able to connect with them through his fantastical thinking and compassionate impulses. The Broadway Maven, David Benkof, helps students further their appreciation of musical theater through classes, a YouTube Channel, and this Weekly Blast substack newsletter. Contact him at DavidBenkof@gmail.com. |