ELECTION RETURNS By Peter Filichia
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 […]
AN OPERATION YOU’LL BE GLAD TO UNDERGO By Peter Filichia
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 […]
BARITONES AND BASSES By Peter Filichia
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 […]
REMEMBERING SHELDON HARNICK By Peter Filichia
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 […]
JEROME ROBBINS’ BROADWAY REDUX By Peter Filichia
Jason Alexander gave me a brilliant pre-emptive strike. That was late ’88, I recall. He was about to open as the leading man of JEROME ROBBINS’ BROADWAY. In addition to performing, he’d write the continuity which he’d deliver as narrator. Robbins was both creating and recreating his previous successes. With an unprecedented 22 weeks of […]
