Long before composer Andrew Lloyd Webber became known for musicals about felines, an Argentine social climber and a Parisian phantom, he began his theatrical career with tales from the Bible. He and lyricist Tim Rice were commissioned by a British prep school to create a show for its student choir and the result was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, based on the Old … [Read more...]
‘Evan Hansen’ makes compelling art of insecurity, solitude
With the recent death of composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, many felt that the future of musical theater was thrown into doubt. But we need not fret over the fate of this quintessentially American art form with the emergence of the songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Having shown impressive promise with Dogfight and A Christmas Story, the duo proclaimed their … [Read more...]