StageStreams: your FREE guide to the best Broadway video content Unlocking Sondheim: A Deep Dive Into "Free" from ForumWhy Sondheim called Pseudolus's song one of the toughest to write
StageStreams is and always will be FREE. Why not subscribe?Why Sondheim called Pseudolus's song one of the toughest to write
Discover the genius of Stephen Sondheim with Anika Chapin as she dives into A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’s "Free." Learn how Sondheim blended farcical comedy with heartfelt lyrics to craft Pseudolus’s "I Want" song, filled with themes of freedom and transformation. From clever motifs to hilarious character moments, this video is a must-watch for anyone who loves the magic of musical storytelling. Broadway vs. West End: The ultimate rivalry, explored and celebrated  Step into the age-old theater debate: Broadway or West End—who does it best? This video dives into their unique histories, iconic shows, and quirky traditions, from Broadway’s groundbreaking musicals to the West End’s legacy of timeless plays. With juicy insights on awards, ticket prices, and cultural impact, this showdown will leave you cheering for both sides! Uncover the secrets of Oz in this behind-the-scenes look  It’s Wicked movie month! Get an exclusive peek behind the curtain with Oz historian Ryan Jay as he chats with Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman, and the creative team. Discover hidden musical Easter eggs, reimagined costumes (yes, Glinda’s bubble dress!), and fresh takes on your favorite characters. If you’ve just seen the movie, or are still counting down the days, this video will keep your excitement soaring. Prepare to be spellbound by Kings Return’s a cappella brilliance  The magic of Wicked gets a stunning new twist with Kings Return’s a cappella medley of its most beloved songs! From the powerful "Defying Gravity" to the tear-jerking "For Good," their harmonies bring the Emerald City to life like never before. It’s bold, breathtaking, and guaranteed to leave you hitting replay. Channel Spotlight: Movie Musical Mania
Love musicals? Love movies? Then you’ll love Movie Musical Mania! This brand-new channel dishes out the drama, triumphs, and flops of cinema’s greatest musicals. Whether you’re diving into What Killed the Movie Musical? or gearing up for Wicked with a video essay about the show’s marketing, this channel is packed with sharp takes and behind-the-scenes fun. Don’t miss out—subscribe now and join the mania. Can you suggest a channel for a future Spotlight (yours or someone else’s)? If so, hit reply to this newsletter with a link and explanation of why it should be chosen. NOTE: StageStreams will be selecting four all-new videos per issue to highlight (in addition to the channel spotlight). If you'd like to ensure your video is included as well, or otherwise want to reach our 10,200 readers (with a 42 percent E-mail open rate) please reach out to publisher DavidBenkof@gmail.com for promotional and sponsorship opportunities. Thanks for reading StageStreams! Subscribe for FREE to get regular updates about the latest videos from YouTube and beyond. StageStreams is edited by Dan Berlfein, a 25-year-old Broadway fan, composer, and music student studying composition and music production at Rimon School of Music in Israel. Dan was a Fall 2024 Maven Scholar for The Broadway Maven, which publishes StageStreams. Upcoming classes at The Broadway Maven include a FREE class on A Chorus Line on Monday, December 2 at Noon and 7 pm ET co-taught by David Benkof and Gail Leondar-Wright, followed by follow-up Members-only A Chorus Line classes the two following weeks. The first three Tuesdays in December are a Members-only “Sondheim Bit by Bit” course and Members will also get to sit in on a conversation with Juilliard Prof. Edward Barnes about The King and I and attend a class on Jewish lyricists. Membership is $18, but through December 31 non-Members can get a FREE month with no obligation. So why not sign up now and try some of the great December content with no obligation? The Broadway Maven YouTube channel has more than 400 videos, including 60 on Stephen Sondheim alone. The most recent additions include a music theory lecture by Mateo Chavez-Lewis about understanding Hamilton through the lens of the genre of rap music, focusing on the work of Kendrick Lamar; a Piano Talk about the motifs of Les Misérables; a David Armstrong talk about the under-appreciated Broadway 1944 classic Bloomer Girl; and the conversation below with Juilliard Prof. Edward Barnes, putting three songs from Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures in the context of Japanese music and the musical theatre canon.  The Broadway Maven also publishes MARQUEE, a FREE must-read substack Broadway appreciation newsletter. Every Thursday, 10,000 subscribers receive essays, reviews, Piano Talks, YouTube gems, quizzes, games, surveys, “Broadway Blasts,” and more.
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