"Every Day" a Little DepthNew book of crime fiction mines the Sondheim catalog for its rich source material
Sign up here to register for a FREE class on Dear Evan Hansen with music educator and Broadway Maven co-host Mateo Chavez Lewis on Monday, April 7 at Noon and 7 pm ET. From his piano, Mateo will highlight the show’s key musical moments, share behind-the-scenes insights, and guide you through the score’s emotional depth in a lively, interactive session. REGISTER HERE.
Shalom, Broadway lovers!In today’s MARQUEE: The Broadway Maven’s Weekly Blast: A) a review of a new collection of Sondheim-themed crime fiction; B) an announcement of the Spring 2025 Maven Scholars program; C) a Broadway Maven video about the important early Black Broadway show Shuffle Along; D) a Broadway Blast about The Book of Mormon and Mean Girls; E) a poll about Broadway ticket prices; and F) a Last Blast about Guys and Dolls.
REVIEW: Well, here's a book Stephen Sondheim would have loved. Between his passion for puzzles and his affection for a good plot (remember, he never wrote his own books/scripts), The Master would have devoured Josh Pachter's new volume, set to be released Saturday on Sondheim's 95th (posthumous) birthday. Every Day a Little Death: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim features twenty brief crime stories, each sparked by a song from Sondheim's musicals, all of which are represented here. I asked Pachter about the Sondheim connections, and here's what he told me:
Here are a few tales worth checking out: • “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" follows a pop star’s reluctant caretaker—who insists she’s not a maid—as she steps in when the Britney Spears-like celebrity faces a Vegas crisis involving drag queens, a family conservatorship, and a dognapping. • "No Place Like London" explores the very notion of murder—whether a bitter falling-out over a Sweeney Todd casting decision can lead to an act of revenge so cruel it feels like a killing in itself. • "Hello, Little Girl" is a somehow nostalgic tale told in future tense about a coveted stamp, involves a murder you won't see coming. The Easter eggs Pachter is so proud of range from delightful to overly obvious, appearing too frequently and making too many references that are instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the Sondheim song that inspired each story. For example, in the "Being Alive" tale, the main character is named "Robert Dean Jones" (a reference to Company's main character and his famous portrayer). Another problem: while the stories cleverly mirror themes from their respective shows—like legacy, morality, and the passage of time—even die-hard Sondheim fans may struggle to catch the thematic connections, deliberate references, and even the quick name-checks in stories inspired by more obscure works like Saturday Night and The Frogs. The decision to structure the book this way is, well, a mystery to me. A collection based on more universally recognized songs would have been a wiser choice. Still, if you're anywhere on the Venn Diagram between fans of fiction and fans of Sondheim, you'll certainly find something worth reading here. If you take it on vacation as I did, and savor the collection, you may indeed find yourself enjoying every day a little death.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 Broadway Maven Scholars program for full-time students ages 16-26. The curriculum involves an in-depth look at Broadway history and structure, with intense exploration of both the musical and the lyrical side of song construction. Students will participate in discussions, presentations, and a final project, making a video that will appear in MARQUEE. Those who complete the program (for which there's no application fee) get $500, four invitations to Broadway shows, and a certificate of achievement. Perfect for the theater kids and budding scholars in your life. Apply at the button below. BROADWAY MAVEN YouTube GEM: "Shuffle Along is a pioneering Jazz Age Black musical that played a key role in Broadway’s evolution but has not received its due appreciation—partly because Black Broadway itself has historically been neglected. Here, University of Washington Prof. David Armstrong (a Broadway Maven faculty member) highlights the show's significance. Includes a clip.  BROADWAY BLAST: Is director Casey Nicholaw lazy? Certainly not, given the Tony winner's long string of Broadway triumphs. Still, two of his comedic shows feature nearly identical jokes, with similar structure and rhythm, despite their radically different contexts. The Book of Mormon (2011) and Mean Girls (2018) each showcase characters who believe they’ve succeeded in an absurdly unlikely task, only to be comically surprised by it. In Mean Girls, the shallow Karen claims she can "cure sex cancer," and when Gretchen tells her it doesn’t exist, the simpleton takes credit for having "solved" the problem: "I did it!" Similarly, in The Book of Mormon, dim-witted Elder Cunningham misunderstands Elder Price’s clarification that he’s "not having gay thoughts" and proudly exclaims, "It worked!" Both jokes rely on misplaced triumph—the idea that complex problems can be “fixed” with wishful thinking. However, the comedic effect differs: Karen’s joke mocks her superficiality, while Elder Cunningham’s naivety is endearing, making us laugh with him, not at him. Nicholaw’s genius lies in his mastery of timing and character development, ensuring these moments feel fresh and fitting in very different comedic contexts.
Great news! First-time Members to The Broadway Maven can get 30 days FREE at the link below. Normally $18, a one-month Membership comes with invitations to 5-15 classes and other expert-led Broadway experiences. In the case of the next 30 days, that means a class on Wicked, The Rocky Horror Show, Rodgers & Hammerstein through the lens of music theory with Juilliard Prof. Edward Barnes, a “Before Broadway” lecture, and more. Cancel at any time, or continue exploring Broadway with this vibrant educational community. It’s your home for Broadway appreciation.
Note: A full calendar of upcoming classes is always available at TheBroadwayMaven.com.• Monday, March 24 Noon and 7 pm ET The Rocky Horror Show (Members only) • Tuesday, March 25 Noon and 7 pm ET Wicked part four (Members only) • Monday, March 31 9 am ET (note early start time) Juilliard Prof. Edward Barnes on Rodgers & Hammerstein (Members only) • Sunday, April 6 Noon ET “Before Broadway” with David Armstrong (Members only) • Monday, April 7 Noon and 7 pm ET Dear Evan Hansen with Mateo Chavez Lewis (FREE, Register here)
LAST BLAST: In Guys and Dolls, Nathan Detroit and Adelaide’s long-term engagement could be called “the oldest established permanent floating relationship in New York,” mirroring the instability of Nathan’s crap game. For 14 years, their love has drifted, never quite settling down, as Nathan’s stalling tactics keep marriage perpetually just out of reach. This parallel between Nathan’s gambling life and his commitment issues adds a humorous yet poignant layer to their story, highlighting how love, like a floating crap game, often involves taking risks to achieve something significant. The Broadway Maven is a vibrant educational community that helps its members think more deeply about musical theater. Every month, members may attend 5-15 expert-led classes and innovative Broadway experiences, all for just $18. We also foster enthusiasm for Broadway through the FREE weekly Substack newsletter MARQUEE and host an expansive YouTube channel. It's your home for Broadway appreciation. Contact The Broadway Maven at DavidBenkof@gmail.com. You're currently a free subscriber to MARQUEE: The Broadway Maven's Weekly Blast. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
|
