Sam Shepherd, McGill University, Author at Study Breaks

My Problem With ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

The hit Broadway musical sidesteps a frank portrayal of teenage suicide in favor of a half-baked portrait of teenage mental health.…

September 4, 2019

4 Classic Myths That Deserve the ‘Hadestown’ Treatment

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Broadway-bound composers and producers should look to the Classics for musical theater inspiration.…

August 30, 2019

Broadway’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Tries on a New Pair of Wings

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Aaron Sorkin’s adaption of the beloved Harper Lee novel tinkers with conventions of a classic American story.…

August 23, 2019

Top 10 Songs From ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,’ the Mental Health Musical Comedy

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Four seasons and over a hundred music videos in, the musical comedy has provided loads of laughs and moments of introspection.…

August 16, 2019

‘The Farewell’ Is a Quiet, Well-Balanced Crowd-Pleaser

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Director Lulu Wang combines comedy, tragedy and insight into the Chinese experience to create a near-perfect summer movie.…

August 12, 2019

My Great Phoneless Experiment

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

I abandoned my smartphone for a 24-hour personal study, and my findings surprised me.…

August 5, 2019

‘The Other Two’ Examines the Fringes of the Spotlight

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

This sitcom tackles Hollywood cynicism with a hilarious and open heart.…

July 26, 2019

6 Veggie Burgers Even Carnivores Could Crave

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Give beef a break and indulge in one of these meat-free creations.…

July 13, 2019

How ‘When They See Us’ Makes a Headline Feel Personal

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

An emphasis on individual narratives allows this miniseries to open eyes to injustice.…

July 6, 2019

Why Ali Stroker’s Tony Win Is so Important

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Broadway is getting better, but The Great White Way still has ways to go before becoming truly accessible.…

July 5, 2019

CBC’s ‘The Debaters’ Makes the Case For Canadian Comedy

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

This uniquely Canadian podcast and radio show uses the debate format for laughs, and oftentimes, adds some insight into political discourse.…

July 1, 2019

Taylor Swift and the Controversial Politics of the Ally Anthem

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

When straight singers write LGBTQ+ anthems, can the final product ever do more than pander?…

June 30, 2019

10 Years Later, the Claymation Classic ‘Mary And Max’ Deserves Its Encore

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

The touching tale of pen pals, outcasts and chocolate hot dogs deserves a second act.…

June 9, 2019

6 Female-Authored Books Every Young Man Should Read

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Because there's more to growing up than 'The Catcher in the Rye.'…

June 3, 2019

Suggestions

Suggestions

Sam Shepherd, McGill University