directed by Michael Kantor (DVD 782.14 Bro)
Fascinating episode of PBS’ Great
Performances, which explores how the Jewish culture is inextricably connected
to the history of the American popular Broadway music tradition. Lots of great
mini-interviews and historical footage help us look back at such pioneering
Jewish entertainers as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin,
Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, and
Stephen Sondheim. Includes clips of performances by such Broadway stars as
Barbara Steisand, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan
Lane, Bernadette Peters and many more.
From the earliest days of
pre-Broadway Yiddish Theater, through the Broadway heyday of such classics as
Funny Lady and Mame, to modern-era hits with Jewish influences, such as Wicked,
I found it absolutely fascinating to see both the broad and narrow strokes the
Jewish culture paints across musicals. For me, the best part of this
documentary are all interviews, particularly with current composers/lyricists
like Mark Shaiman, in which they play a little piano refrain from a Jewish folk
song or worship song, and show how it could be integrated into a Broadway pop
hit. Terrific narration by Broadway legend Joel Grey (Cabaret), and a humorous
bookending of the documentary at both the start and end, with David Hyde Pierce
singing “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway (if You Don’t Have Any Jews)” which was
a showstopping number for him in the Tony-winning Spamalot.
Intriguing viewing — just be aware
that although the DVD release of this was just added to the library collection
in 2021, it was produced for PBS and aired back in 2012.
(If you enjoy this, you may also
wish to try It Happened on Broadway: An Oral History of the Great White Way
by Myrna and Harvey Frommer, The Secret Life of the American Musical by Jack Viertel or
both Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway and Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway by Michael
Reidel.)
( Internet Movie
Database entry for this documentar)]
Recommended
by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service
Have you watched this one?
What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?
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