Fall 2009

A Few of My Favorite Things

The world of musical theatre offers infinite opportunities for study and enlightenment! In past classes we followed a chronological progression--interesting in portraying trends and issues in society, but hindering us from looking at other topics both entertaining and essential for understanding the profound importance of music.

The class will consist of musical theatre topics not highlighted in previous classes. Among these will be: Songs that survived "short run" Broadway musicals, Vaudeville in San Francisco 1900 -1940, British musicals not written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Shakespeare as an inspiration for musicals, Off-Broadway: the "little" shows that became hits, and a few surprises as students offer some suggestions along the way. Two recent books, Daniel Levintin's The World in Six Songs and Dr. Oliver Sack's Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, have inspired me to pursue even more deeply the power of music in our lives.

Prerequisite(s):

EXEDNC; noncredit;

Instructor: Joe Marchi

Joe Marchi, M.A. is the founder and director of the Center for the American Musical. For the past 20 years he has given courses on musical theater at Canada College, the Fromm Institute, and Elderhostel. He has produced, coordinated or composed musical programs honoring such composers as Jerome Kern, Sigmund Romberg, Irving Berlin, Rudolf Friml, and Cole Porter. He has hosted the radio and TV show, "Regards to Broadway" since 1986. He has taught two previous courses for OLLI at SSU.

  • 8 mtgs: W, Sept 9-Oct 28, 1-2:45pm
  • Cooperage
  • EXEDNC; noncredit;
  • class# 3925