"I've never seen sets this big before": Director Jon M. Chu's "Wicked" Journey
October's featured video unveils the emerald vision behind the Thanksgiving blockbuster
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This issue of StageStreams connects the worlds of theater and culture, including three examples of movie adaptations of beloved musicals:
Amidst a steadily mounting buzz of anticipation for the Thanksgiving release of Wicked, this 30-minute interview with director Jon M. Chu provides a grounding look into the creative mind at the helm. New details about the movie—its meticulous set design, the special chemistry between Cynthia and Ariana, and film influences like Scorsese—make this a must-watch!
Our second pick (by our publisher The Broadway Maven) delves into the distinct harmonic flavor of klezmer, the Jewish musical tradition which inspired the sound of Fiddler on the Roof. Featuring auditory examples of the scales and modes of Klezmer, this explainer will deepen your understanding of the cultural context of Fiddler’s music and appreciation for Jerry Bock’s compositional genius.
At their best, film adaptations of stage musicals can contribute an immersive quality to existing material, filling in the finer details of setting and atmosphere. Our third pick highlights The Sound of Music (1965) for its time-honored achievement in this regard. If you’re curious about cinema—aspect ratios, film stock, and the like—this video may turn out to be one of your favorite things!
Much-loved YouTuber Howard Ho goes on an investigative journey into the controversial “jukebox musical” in this brand new video. Through his signature style of dynamic multi-sensory storytelling, Ho consults ideas of musical masters past and present to formulate a defense of the jukebox musical, all through the lens of & Juliet.
Channel spotlight
Hope Wilson’s self-named channel brings a sparky, youthful voice to the mix of Broadway YouTube content. Many of her videos are drama-school focused, with tips and tricks for student success, but the channel is a veritable mélange—hot takes, reviews, vlogs, and more. My favorites include “Broadway’s BIGGEST Flops!,” a colorful retelling of commercially unsuccessful shows, and “A week in the life as a SECOND YEAR at DRAMA SCHOOL!,” a fun and genuine peek into her life as a drama student in the UK. Recent videos have been 15-20 minutes long, and Wilson typically posts anywhere from 1-5 videos a month.
Can you suggest a channel for a future spotlight (yours or someone else’s)? If so, hit reply to this newsletter with a link and explanation of why it should be chosen.
NOTE: StageStreams will be selecting four all-new videos per issue to highlight (in addition to the channel spotlight). If you'd like to ensure your video is included as well, or otherwise want to reach our 10,000 readers (with a 42 percent E-mail open rate) please reach out to publisher DavidBenkof@gmail.com for promotional and sponsorship opportunities.
StageStreams is edited by Sheva Schwartz, who is in her third year at the University of Ottawa, Canada, pursuing a double major in cello performance and composition. Sheva was a Spring 2024 Maven Scholar for The Broadway Maven, which publishes StageStreams.
Upcoming classes at The Broadway Maven include a three-week FREE class on the music of Hamilton (November 10, 17, and 24 at Noon ET), a class on great lyricists, and two guest speakers. Plus, Members get FREE admittance to a lecture on Irving Berlin by Juilliard Prof. Ed Barnes. Monthly Membership (5-15 classes and more) is only $18. Join The Broadway Maven here.
The Broadway Maven YouTube channel has more than 400 videos, including 60 on Stephen Sondheim alone. The most recent additions include “Brady Broadway,“ the lyrics of Lerner, Ebb, and Lesser, a compilation of every Tony winner’s signature song, a Piano Talk about “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” our first Broadway News feature, and the following five-minute video, a fun series of rebus puzzles on the names of beloved Broadway shows.
The Broadway Maven also publishes MARQUEE, a FREE must-read substack Broadway appreciation newsletter. Every Thursday, 10,000 subscribers receive essays, reviews, Piano Talks, YouTube gems, quizzes, games, surveys, “Broadway Blasts,” and more.