st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
--> <!--[endif]-->

For example, the song Passover, featured in MAKE ME A SONG but written for ELEGIES, is the story of a boy (Finn) and his family traveling to New Jersey to celebrate Passover with his wacky family. Finn guides you though the drive over the George Washington Bridge, all the way to the moment “cousin Gary is reading porn” at the Seder table. The song is joyous and fun, but when the last verse appears, the mood and music change:

“UNCLE BERNIE PASSED OVER,

UNCLE HARVEY PASSED OVER.

NANNA IDA PASSED OVER,

AND MY MOTHER,

MY MOTHER, PASSED OVER.

PASSOVER. PASSOVER”

Finn flips the hook of the song into something completely different. Not only is this clever, it’s heartbreaking. Finn is not the first or the last artist to employ this technique. What makes him unique is the truth of his writing, both lyrically and musically. It’s as if he’s having an intimate conversation with individual audience members. He is one of the few musical theatre writers that can do this and do it well.

Judaism, homosexuality, economics, body image, family, death—there are no boundaries as to what Finn will divulge. In addition to his continuous success, he also teaches part time at the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University. Finn’s music and influence will “passover” for many generations of writers and fans to come.


To license MAKE ME A SONG or to learn more, click here
To "click" with other William Finn fans, visit www.mtishowspace.com<-->