Reviews
Meg Flather’s “Hammerstein & Sondheim— Carefully Taught”
It seems that since the passing of iconic Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, not a week has gone by without some new revue, or tribute, or memorial in his honor. Of course, he is deserving of as much praise as the world can manage to heap upon him, but even the heartiest of fans might be tempted to shout, “Enough already!” Then a show like Meg Flather’s Hammerstein & Sondheim: Carefully Taught comes along brimming with such intelligence, such passion, such insight, such daring, and such sheer talent to prove that there is still more to be said and more to be learned.
Jason Henderson: “Getting to Noël You”
One of the deprivations of growing up in New Hampshire was that I was never exposed to more sophisticated entertainments in general, and Sir Noël Coward in particular. It was not until I got to Columbia University here in NY that I discovered the wit, the panache, the lyrics and melodies, plays, and stories of the Master. I was a devoted fan from the first blush of my flirtation with his work. I have been to countless revues and tributes and shows dedicated to his songs, from the best (Oh, Coward!) to the worst (which were many and, for the purposes of this review, nameless), No matter good or bad, they consist of his songs interspersed with biographical or critical bits of information about his life, and his plays, music, and movies.