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And to think there was a time when musical theater enthusiasts assumed they’d get a new show from Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt every three years. Do the math. THE FANTASTICKS in 1960. 110 IN THE SHADE in 1963. I DO! I DO! in 1966. CELEBRATION in 1969. Every 1,100 days or so, we felt […]

From the title HOW TO STEAL AN ELECTION, you might assume that the creators of this musical started writing it in mid-November 2020. No, it actually was a 1968 off-Broadway musical that was subtitled “A Dirty Politics Musical.” Could there be any other kind? As Oscar Brand’s lyrics state, politics see that “Robert’s Rules of […]

What’s the best way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of World War II’s “Operation Mincemeat”? No, don’t go into your kitchen to mix currants, raisins, sugar, apples, candied citrus peel and spices to create the delicious foodstuff. There are, after all, 70 calories in a mere teaspoon. Forego the treat and instead treat yourself to the […]

My recent experience with Jason Alexander has had me repeatedly playing the cast album of JEROME ROBBINS’ BROADWAY. I’ve particularly savored Alexander and company in one of Broadway’s greatest opening numbers: “Comedy Tonight.” Its lyric – “Baritones and basses” – started me thinking about Broadway’s best in those categories. There are plenty who could come […]

Whenever a great musical theater luminary dies, I listen to every cast album that represents this songwriter’s work in chronological order. This past week has been especially moving, thanks to the lyrics of Sheldon Harnick, who, we must be grateful, made it to 99. I started with NEW FACES OF ’52, to which Harnick contributed both music and lyrics to “Boston […]