Harmony: A New Musical Review

For as much as we know about the past, there is always something new to discover.

The new Broadway musical, Harmony: A New Musical, is based on the story of the Comedian Harmonists. Co-written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, they tell the tale of a music group that was buried by time and war.

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Comedian Harmonists were one of the most successful performing groups in the world. Then World War II ended their collective career for good.

Narrated by Rabbi (Chip Zien) from decades in the future, the audience is taken back in time. The group contains six members: three Jewish and three Christian. Initially, the antisemitism they experience is seen as nothing more than the usual. It’s nothing new. But as Nazi Germany comes to power, it becomes clear that everything around them is changing for the worse.

On top of the larger societal issues, two of the members are in interreligious relationships. Young Rabbi (Danny Kornfeld) wants to marry a non-Jewish his girlfriend, Mary (Sierra Boggess). She loves him, but the growing threat makes her question if it is the right decision. Chopin (Blake Roman) has been with Jewish social justice warrior Ruth (Julie Benko) for a while now. Though it seems that they are on track to HEA (happily ever after), fate might have other plans.

I don’t say this too often, but this is one of the best Broadway musicals in a very long time. The first half is light, funny, and romantic with only a hint of what is to come. The second half is a gut punch that I don’t think I will forget anytime soon.

I have to give kudos to the creators when it comes to Mary and Ruth. It would have been easy to label them as “the wife” or “the girlfriend”. But despite being a minority on stage, both women are fully drawn. Mary knows what she is getting into and can keep a cool head when everything around them is falling to pieces. Ruth is as passionate about freedom and justice as she is about her relationship with Chopin.

Given what is happening right now, I can’t think of a more timely narrative. Though it is set almost 100 years ago, the parallels are too hard to not ignore.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

Harmony: A New Musical is playing until next September at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City. Check the website for tickets and showtimes.

Changing High Schools Mid Semester is Never Fun

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

Back in 9th grade, we moved from New York City to the suburbs.

Back then, I was a shy, insecure, and sheltered child. The only person I knew at the high school was a cousin who is my age. To say that that experience created emotional scars is an understatement.

Looking back nearly three decades later, I would tell my younger self to look at it as an opportunity and not let the fear hold me back.

It took me multiple years to learn that lesson. But that’s life for you.