OLLI Winter 2027_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 25
Broadway Musicals: A Fascinating History
Mondays, January 25 – March 1
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Musicals have shaped American theater, from Tin
Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth
century to the integrated classics of midcentury.
In this course, we will explore book musicals,
concept musicals, and the rise of European
mega-productions. We will spotlight influential
composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers,
directors, and performers. With the help of
audiovisuals, we will study landmark shows
including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat,
Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked,
Hamilton, and more.
$65 – Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical
engineer and has been a concert promoter for
over two decades. He is involved in events by
international artists like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo
Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA,
Journey, and Kenny G.
Seats Available: 10
The Last 100 Years of Russian Rulers:
From Stalin to Putin
Wednesdays, January 27 – March 3
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
In this course, we will examine 100 years of
Russian history through the personalities of its
rulers: Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid
Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and
Vladimir Putin. Each week, we will focus on one
leader’s background, rise to power, and legacy.
We will consider how each leader’s personality
and peculiarities shaped Russian history, how
each leader’s rule ended, and why all of these
leaders were men.
$65 – Asya Pereltsvaig received degrees in English
and History from the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem and a PhD in Linguistics from McGill
University. She taught at Yale and Stanford; her
expertise is in language and history, and the
relationship between them. Her most recent book
is Languages of the World: An Introduction.
Seats Available: 10
Hidden Influences:
Lost Gems of the 20th Century
Tuesdays, January 26 – March 2
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
In this course, we will explore five 20th-century
works of fiction that remain culturally significant,
even though they are rarely read today. We
will discuss each book in its historical context,
consider its relevance now, and examine its place
in the literary imagination. Through thoughtful,
participant-driven conversation, we will explore
The Ugly American, Peyton Place, The Jungle,
Babbitt, and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit in a
way that is informed, engaging, and welcoming.
$65 – Richard Klin is the author of the novel
Petroleum Transfer Engineer. His writing has been
featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and has
appeared in The Millions, The Atlantic, Cultural
Daily, The Brooklyn Rail, and many others.
Seats Available: 10
From Gregorian Chant to Bohemian Rhapsody:
The Evolution of Vocal Groups
Wednesdays, January 27 – March 3
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Building on an earlier Osher Online course, this
multimedia class takes a broader and more indepth look at duos, trios, quartets, and larger
ensembles across genres including sacred
chant, jazz, pop, rock, R&B, and more. Along the
way, we’ll explore iconic performers, discover
unexpected connections across musical styles and
eras, and consider how their influence continues
in contemporary vocal groups.
$65 – Mike Agron is a music aficionado raised
in Los Angeles’s entertainment scene. A former
high-tech executive and entrepreneur turned
storyteller, he creates dynamic multimedia
seminars exploring music and film for the
Sacramento Renaissance Society, OLLIs
nationwide, Osher Online, Encore Learning, and
other lifelong-learning programs.
Seats available: 10
OSHER ONLINE
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