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From ‘Hairspray’ to ‘South Park,’ composer Marc Shaiman tells a showbiz story shaped by Jewish humor

JL;DR SUMMARY Marc Shaiman, a celebrated composer in American showbiz, presents his memoir, "Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner," reflecting on a career deeply intertwined with Jewish humor. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish IdentityJewish HumorBroadwayRob ReinerAidsMarc ShaimanBette MidlerEgotSouth ParkHairspray

Places mentioned

Scotch Plains, New Jersey, United States
"Shaiman joined that business when he left his hometown of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, at age 16 after getting his GED and headed for New York City."
New York City, New York, United States
"Shaiman joined that business when he left his hometown of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, at age 16 after getting his GED and headed for New York City."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
"he said at a Philadelphia book event on Jan. 29."
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
"including the countless friends he lost to AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s. Some moments combine both: Accepting the Tony he and Wittman won for Hairspay  whose 1960s Baltimore setting he tried to infuse with the spirit of his early days in New York  Shaiman said he wished the theater..."

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Retrieved 2026-02-10 05:31:21 UTC
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