Category Archives: Music

Laurel and I saw Godspell last night at Circle in the Square, and I have to say, though there’s a bit of irony in seeing Silas Botwin (Hunter Parrish) from Weeds performing as Jesus, the show was unexpectedly one of the best performances I’ve seen in awhile.  (I had seen Hunter as Melchior in SpringContinue reading “Godspell”

I first heard of Ben Folds when he played at Dartmouth in 2002, and it wasn’t until hearing his music that I realized pop-rock piano music existed.  Until Ben Folds, piano music was either classical, jazz/gospel, showtuny Broadway, or easy listening.  I’d always considered pop-rock as something you couldn’t do without a guitar or drums,Continue reading “Philosophy of Ben Folds”

I don’t get a lot of Stephen Sondheim‘s music.  His lyrics are certainly impressive and witty, and though my former professor of musical theater Steve Swayne (Sondheim expert) might throw his hands up at the statement, I nevertheless have trouble digesting a good chunk of Sondheim’s music. I had trouble sitting through shows such as Into theContinue reading “Perler on Sondheim”

A few songs this time: Stars and the Moon, I’d Give It All For You, and The Next Ten Minutes, all by Jason Robert Brown.  Mr. Brown (avid blogger and Tweeter) is one of my favorite composers.  At Dartmouth in 2004, we produced his two-person show, The Last Five Years (LFY), and I believe theContinue reading “Pretty Music: Jason Robert Brown”

Since discovering it in high school, “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood has remained my favorite piece of gospel music. Yes, perhaps it’s a bit ironic that I like gospel music, given I’m a Jewish-born Atheist. But so what. Interestingly, my favorite musical composer, Jason Robert Brown, has often indicated his inspiration comes from gospel asContinue reading “Total Praise? Yes, I Like the Gospel (Music)”