Lorraine Masure, from the senior college at the University of Southern Maine, is scheduled to present an upcoming program on the history behind some of Broadway’s most memorable musicals.
The presentation starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Scarborough Public Library. The Friends of the Scarborough Library, which offers several such special events throughout the year, is sponsoring the program.
Masure, who has taught a course on Broadway for the past five years at the senior college, said she agreed to offer an overview on the so-called “Great White Way” at the Scarborough library because “I love the subject matter.”
Her “very favorite Broadway show is ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ because I identify with its protagonist, Tevye, on several levels.”
However, “on the absolute other end of the musical spectrum” Masure is also a huge fan of the show “Mamma Mia,” which she’s seen seven times.
Although they are quite different, Masure said what both musicals have in common are “underlying themes that speak to the human condition, and both feature music that is utterly transforming.”
Masure’s love affair with the theater started at a young age, when her parents would take her to see shows. In addition, for about 12 years after her retirement, she worked behind the scenes with a local community theater.
“This allowed me to learn a lot about other facets of the theater,” she said.
However, it’s still one of her favorite things to attend a play at a community or regional theater, along with “occasional treks to Boston and New York City.”
Masure said her program on Broadway is “intended to be interactive.” It will also include a PowerPoint presentation that illustrates some of the themes she’s gleaned along the way. Masure also plans to “show a few musical excerpts from some of our most popular plays.”
Her hope for the upcoming program is to “further underscore how important the arts are in our lives.” Masure is also encouraging anyone with a connection to musicals, either through film or live theater, to attend.
A closer look
The Friends of the Scarborough Library will host a program entitled, “Regards To Broadway,” Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. Call 883-4723 or see www.scarboroughlibraryfriends.org for more information.
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