A "Taste" of the American Musical
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Travel with us through the 20th century and sample works from our finest Broadway composers. What were the sources of their inspiration? Who were their muses? How did they influence our popular and social culture? Utilizing live performances, music and film clips, musical theatre historian Art Gang will share with audiences history, anecdotes and legends of those uniquely American cultural institutions—Broadway and film musicals.  In keeping with the Play With Your Food tradition, lunch will be served, catered by Abbondanza, Balducci’s and Garelick & Herbs.
12 noon - 1:30pm; $40; Toquet Hall,Westport.

On Wednesday, October 15, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin: More than a Couple of Swells compares and contrasts two of America’s most prolific and cutting edge composers, who dominated the American musical the first half of the twentieth century. While Kern was a classically trained musician, Berlin used a "trick" piano to find his key as he could not read music. Yet they both wrote songs for Fred and Ginger, which will be among the selections Art will present during this program.

The Gershwins, George and Ira: ‘S Wonderful!, the story of two brothers who collaborated to produce songs in a broad range of genres, will be discussed on Wednesday, November 12.  George Gershwin transformed American music, combining and blending classical forms with the new and exciting rhythms of the Jazz Age. His 20 year professional collaboration with Ira produced not only songs and ballads of love and yearning (In time, the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble, they're only made of clay....") but Of Thee I Sing, a musical satire of American politics, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and still timely today.

On Wednesday, December 3, Sing Me a Song of Social Significance: Conscience and The American Musical, will illustrate how from South Pacific to Show Boat to Cabaret to Parade, many songs commenting on, and often protesting, social, economic, racial and political injustice, have come from the pens - and souls -  of musical theatre composers and lyricists. Brother Can You Spare a Dime, in effect, the national anthem of the Great Depression, was written for a Broadway musical. Art will explore a number of such songs and music which enlightened, challenged and entertained their audiences.