Talking Sondheim Talking Sondheim

Talking Sondheim  | 

February 11 — May 6

A virtual class series for anyone interested in learning more about Stephen Sondheim, his works, and how he flipped the script on the American musical theater. Taught by Sondheim expert and scholar Gail Leondar-Wright, students of all ages will be immersed in the masterful theater creator’s brilliant rhymes, diving deep into legendary songs like “Finishing the Hat” (Sunday in the Park with George), “Send in the Clowns” and “The Miller’s Son” (A Little Night Music). Whether you’re a musical theater lover who “just doesn’t get Sondheim” or a certified fanatic who knows every word to every song, this class is for you.

If you aren’t able to attend the scheduled class times, recordings will be available to watch on demand through June.

Taught by Gail Leondar-Wright

TICKETS:

$10 FOR MEMBERS/PACKAGE HOLDERS
$25 FOR NON-MEMBERS

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A virtual class series for anyone interested in learning more about Stephen Sondheim, his works, and how he flipped the script on the American musical theater. Taught by Sondheim expert and scholar Gail Leondar-Wright, students of all ages will be immersed in the masterful theater creator’s brilliant rhymes, diving deep into legendary songs like “Finishing the Hat” (Sunday in the Park with George), “Send in the Clowns” and “The Miller’s Son” (A Little Night Music). Whether you’re a musical theater lover who “just doesn’t get Sondheim” or a certified fanatic who knows every word to every song, this class is for you.

If you aren’t able to attend the scheduled class times, recordings will be available to watch on demand through June.

Classes

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Session #1: Introduction
COMPLETE!

FEBRUARY 11, 2023
12:00 PM

An introduction to the works of Stephen Sondheim, reflections on his impact on contemporary musical theater, and a look at one aspect of his work that most people recognize and appreciate: his brilliant rhymes.

Session #3: Sondheim on Sondheim
COMPLETE!

APRIL 22, 2023
12:00 PM

Is this real life? Have some fun exploring autobiographical elements in the works of Stephen Sondheim, as well as his denials that any exist (save a very few).

Session #2: Sunday in the Park with George
COMPLETE!

MARCH 4, 2023
12:00 PM

Using Sondheim’s masterpiece, “Finishing the Hat,” the class explores Sondheim’s unique ability to say one thing in his lyrics and another in his music. Dive deeper into his motif-writing prowess and how it is used to tie together the first and second acts of this bifurcated musical.

Session #4: A Little Night Music

MAY 6, 2023
12:00 PM

Let’s take a closer look at Sondheim’s only bonafide hit, “Send in the Clowns” as an example of prosody (how music and lyrics fit together). In addition, the class will explore how a song sung by a minor character, “The Miller’s Son,” might articulate the theme of the show.

VENUE: ZOOM
$10 FOR MEMBERS/PACKAGE HOLDERS
$25 FOR NON-MEMBERS

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About Gail

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Gail Leondar-Wright

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Gail Leondar-Wright, now retired, spends her time studying and teaching about the works of Stephen Sondheim. She facilitates an online national Sondheim Study Group and gives periodic webinars comparing the works of Sondheim to those of other composers and lyricists. She has taught about Sondheim at Lasell Village, for OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute at Tufts and UMass Boston and for the Rainbow Lifetime Learning Institute. Gail has a Masters in Performance Studies from NYU and a BA in Drama from UC Berkeley.