Class Description
Stephen Sondheim, often referred to as "The Shakespeare of Broadway," was one of the most celebrated figures in the history of musical theater. We will comprehensively explore his life, career, and artistic contributions, highlighting his remarkable ability to blend music and storytelling in a way that redefined the Broadway musical. We will also compare Shakespeare and Sondheim directly; examine Sondheim's famous musicals, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, and Into the Woods; and discuss his collaborations with Leonard Bernstein, Hal Prince, and Jerome Robbins, as well as his influence on other composers and lyricists. As a sidebar, we will briefly explore musical theater history and the evolution of the genre from operetta to rock opera and consider how Sondheim's work fits into this tradition. If you enjoy musical theater and are interested in Sondheim’s work and life, join us for an exciting journey along the “Great White Way.”
Glenn Derringer began his musical career at the age of nine, appearing on the Jackie Gleason Show, with Perry Como, and as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After graduating from Temple University, he held executive positions with Wurlitzer, Baldwin, and Gibson Guitar and has taught music for more than forty years.
Materials List
Required
- Instructor-Distributed Materials
Cost and Registration
6 sessions, $247 ($222 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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