I Know Things: The Shortcuts "Into the Woods" Uses to Ferry Tales (today's MARQUEE)Student scholar unpacks Sondheim and Lapine's legendary characters
Shalom, Broadway lovers!In today’s FREE edition of MARQUEE: The Broadway Maven’s Weekly Blast: a student Video Essay about the characters in Into the Woods; a homework video for Monday’s South Pacific class, and a Last Blast about Next to Normal. Premium subscribers also get a Broadway Blast about Gypsy, a Piano Talk about “All Good Gifts” from Godspell; and a survey about an upcoming four-week class on a single show. NOTE: The calendar for the second semester of 2024 Broadway Maven classes has been announced, and a Second Semester ALL-ACCESS Pass is now on sale. Get automatic access to 50 classes for just $99. Includes a 6 months’ Premium subscription to MARQUEE (a $30 value), access to the archive, two bonus classes only for ALL-ACCESS Passholders, and periodic drawings for off-Broadway and Broadway tickets, including at least one opening night. Classes offered include Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Schwartz, “Sondheim Academy,” Jewish Broadway, Lyrics & Lyricists, and more. SEPTEMBER: A FREE course on Jewish Broadway has been announced for every Monday in September at Noon and 7 pm. Sessions include Introduction to Jewish Broadway, a two-part series on Fiddler on the Roof, a class covering both Ragtime and Parade, and a session on Barbra Streisand’s musicals. STUDENT VIDEO ESSAY: How do the pre-existing characters in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods affect our perception of the story? In this sophisticated and original video analysis, Broadway Maven student scholar Ella Sivan Shaul explains some of the magic that makes this musical so remarkable. Ella Sivan Shaul is a 19-year-old BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance student at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. She was a Maven Scholar in the spring of 2024.  CONGRATULATIONS: The second Maven Scholar for Fall 2024 has been announced. Daniel Berlfein is a 25-year-old music student who lives in Tel Aviv and hopes to be an arranger and music director. He will join Allie Beckerman in a nine-week Broadway appreciation course. Scholars will receive a no-strings-attached $500 stipend, four invitations to Broadway shows, and a certificate of achievement. Know any students ages 16-26 who might be interested? Applications are available here.
HOMEWORK: Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicals in Broadway history. With timeless songs like "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Bali Ha'i," the show has captivated audiences for decades. The themes of love, war, and racial prejudice presented in the musical were groundbreaking at the time and continue to resonate today. Here's a 10-minute version, perfect for the upcoming August 19 FREE class on South Pacific, which meets at Noon and 7 pm ET. What is the central theme of South Pacific? Share your thoughts in the comments. 
The Broadway Maven’s class on South Pacific will discuss the music and lyrics of this timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, renowned for its rich score and emotionally resonant message. We’ll also hear from music educator Mateo Chavez Lewis with an analysis of “Some Enchanted Evening.” This FREE class meets Monday, August 19 at Noon and 7 pm ET.
Stephen Schwartz August continues Tuesday with Wicked. The beloved show is back in the news with the upcoming movie musical, but have you ever examined its music, lyrics, and book in a rigorous way? If you’d like to know what makes Wicked tick, this class is for you. Meets Tuesday, August 20 from Noon to 1 pm ET. $12. The following week, on August 27, “Lesser-Known Schwartz,” covering everything from The Baker’s Wife to The Prince of Egypt. Both classes are FREE for ALL-ACCESS Passholders; just show up!
Note: Links to register for ALL classes are always available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.• Monday, August 19 Noon and 7 pm ET South Pacific class (FREE) • Tuesday, August 20 Noon ET Wicked class ($12) • Monday, August 26 Noon and 7 pm ET The Sound of Music class (FREE) • Tuesday, August 27 Noon ET Lesser-known Schwartz class ($12) • Monday, September 2 Noon and 7 pm ET Introduction to Jewish Broadway (FREE) • Monday, September 9 Noon and 7 pm ET Fiddler on the Roof part A (FREE) • Monday, September 16 Noon and 7 pm ET Fiddler on the Roof part B (FREE) • Monday, September 23 Noon and 7 pm ET Ragtime and Parade (FREE) • Monday, September 30 Noon and 7 pm ET Barbra Streisand’s musicals (FREE) • Tuesdays in September: Noon ET Sondheim Academy Act Three NOTE: As always, ALL-ACCESS Passholders do not have to sign up or pay for anything. Just show up!
LAST BLAST: In Next to Normal, anguished father Dan’s acknowledgment of his son’s name is a key moment in his acceptance of his wife’s mental illness and his mourning over his own loss. The name in question is Gabriel, which is spot-on given that it’s the name of the angel (despite his death, he haunts his mother) whose Hebrew name refers to strength. Incidentally, the other child’s name could also be symbolic wordplay, since the show acknowledges that the decision to have another child grew directly from their grief. That means they chose to have Natalie as a means to cope with Gabe’s death “natally” (related to birth). Broadway Maven David Benkof helps students further their appreciation of musical theater through his classes, his YouTube channel, and MARQUEE: the Broadway Maven’s Weekly Blast. Contact him at DavidBenkof@gmail.com. Invite your friends and earn rewardsIf you enjoy MARQUEE: The Broadway Maven's Weekly Blast, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe.
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I Know Things: The Shortcuts "Into the Woods" Uses to Ferry Tales (today's MARQUEE)
August 15, 2024
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