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Allison Morgenstern

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: So Long, Farewell

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | April 29

This is it. We have made it to the end of the semester and the end of our careers at The Tufts Daily. What a way to go out. Thank you for indulging us as we write about what we love most: musicals. This week, to close out the column, we would like to share some of our favorite musical-related media that we have not yet discussed. We encourage all of you to use this time at home to check out these titles as they are sure to lift your spirits. So let’s get started!

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Column

HillSide Story: 'Newsies'

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | April 21

We are back again with another musical recorded on stage. This time it is “Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical!” (2017). Let’s start by answering the question that is on everyone’s mind: Did you two go out on a weeknight to see this in a movie theater one of the few days it was being shown a few years ago? Yes. We absolutely did that. That’s right, everyone. During our first year at Tufts, we saw this recorded Broadway musical in theaters, and now we’re watching it during our senior spring. “Newsies” takes us back to the end of the 19th century where Jack Kelly (played by our favorite and yours, Jeremy Jordan) and his fellow orphans-turned-newspaper sellers plan to go on strike in order to earn the pay they deserve. Ordinarily, this standoff between the newsies and Joseph Pulitzer (Steve Blanchard) would be incredibly boring to learn about, but this musical does a great job of making this story more exciting to watch. The Broadway musical is jam-packed with incredible dance numbers and inspiring songs, all performed on a grandiose set. If you’re lacking energy during this quarantine, try watching “Newsies” to hype yourself up.   

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Columns

HillSide Story: Keep it positive

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | April 7

The world has gone off the rails, and so have we. This week we are switching it up and discussing a filmed musical theatre production instead of a traditional movie musical. Omigod you guys, it’s a free recording of a musical and it’s “Legally Blonde” (2007). Now, the story of Elle Woods can be quite misleading. A fashion merchandising major and sorority president decides in her senior spring that, after her boyfriend breaks up with her, she will just get into Harvard Law School. And the admissions officers will let her in because love is just that strong. While we love that the message is about a strong woman finding her voice and proving her ability to be an independent force of nature, the idea that love can get you into Harvard Law is just not how real life works, and it is important that everyone understands that. Anyway, we would like to thank MTV for blessing us with a recording of this musical that is never taken off YouTube. It makes the world a better place.

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: Maybe (Super) Far Away

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | March 26

Welcome back to our column. It is with true sadness that we must report that these columns must now be written remotely as we now sit on couches about 1,000 miles apart from one another. But, as they say, the show must go on. At this point, the Olivier Awards have been canceled, and we cannot bear the ...

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: Justice for the Baroness

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | March 10

This week, we follow Julie Andrews again, this time as Maria through the lush fields and mountains of Austria with seven singing children, a handsome Captain and some nuns in “The Sound of Music” (1965). No, we have not become a Julie Andrews column (not that it would be such a bad thing). Allie ...

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: Practically perfect

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | March 3

This week we are going to London with a cinematic masterpiece: “Mary Poppins” (1964).Anna Hirshman (AH): Despite my best efforts to obtain a working VCR, in which to put my VHS copy of the film, I have not watched “Mary Poppins” in many years. Watching it as an adult, there are many more subtle ...

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: Dot dot dot

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | February 26

This week we watched “Mamma Mia” (2008) and welcomed our first special guest: peace and justice studies advocate and study-abroad-in-Greece aficionado Abigail Alpern Fisch (AAF). In an ideal world, we could attach the audio of us singing along, but apparently that is not an option in print media.Allie ...

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Columns

HillSide Story: Angel for President 2020

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | February 19

“Rent” (2005)is the story of a group of New Yorkers who are lovers and friends that are struggling in Alphabet City in New York City amidst the AIDS epidemic. The movie stars much of the original cast from the Broadway production and features epic songs like “Seasons of Love.” This column does ...

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: And We’re Telling You

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | February 11

This week, we’re going back to the 1960s with “Dreamgirls” (2006). In short, it is the story of a trio (based on The Supremes) and the pushy music producer who takes them under his wing and the relationships they all form. The number of formerly and currently famous people in this movie is off ...

The Setonian
Columns

HillSide Story: Ewan's Eyes

By Anna Hirshman and Allison Morgenstern | February 4

Welcome to HillSide Story! We are two musical theatre nerds who will be sharing our hot and not-so-hot takes on movie musicals. As the Leading Player says from the musical "Pippin" (1972), “join us.”Anna Hirshman (AH): Today we are on the bohemian streets of Paris with “Moulin Rouge” ...

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