| The 92nd St. Y's "Lyrics & Lyricists" Series Brings The Great American Songbook To Our Own Backyard
By Candace Leeds | | If you long for some of the old fashioned charm of great American musical standards and the musical theater, the Lyrics and Lyricist series at the 92 Street Y is just for you. Each show, which runs 5 times throughout the weekend and on Mondays, highlights a songwriter, a musical era, or other topics relating to popular music in America.
Since last year, the Y has been enlisting talented artistic directors to put together each presentation, and the evening is always narrated by an interesting host --sometimes music critics like Rex Reed; performers like John Pizzarelli or Kitty Carlyle Hart; TV commentators like Charles Osgood, or other renowned people who have some connection with the theme of the evening. Each show is a nostalgic trip through a themed repertory, and features a cast of four or five generally top flight performers, sometimes well known names, sometimes not. |  | Lyrics & Lyricists Series -- L&L, as it is fondly known -- is one of the most popular of the Y’s series. It was born in 1970, when Broadway producer Arthur Cantor approached the director of the 92nd Street Y’s music school, Hadassah Markson, about doing a series on lyricists. She enlisted Broadway composer, Maurice Levine to launch the program. The first show featured E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, followed Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Sheldon Harnick, Johnny Mercer and Steven Sondheim. Eventually, the series expanded to include composers, and in 1984, went from first-person histories of the American musical theatre to a series of narrated and themed musical revues.
Over the years, the series has featured many of Broadway and Hollywood’s greatest songwriters, laying the ground work for more recent series like Lincoln Center’s Great American Songbook and Carnegie Hall’s American Popular Song Celebration.
L & L recently opened its 37th season, highlighting the renowned band singer, Rosemary Clooney. Interestingly, the Y’s program was the first tribute to this legendary performer since her death in 2002. In addition to learning interesting biographical tidbits—like the fact that Ira Levin got the idea of naming his book Rosemary’s Baby” from Clooney, just because she lived in his building -- the Y arranged for Ms. Clooney’s dear friend, Deborah Grace Winer, to present the show and be the on-stage host. Debbie Boone, Ms. Clooney’s daughter-in-law, was a special guest, performing her songs in a dress given to her by Rosemary -- a long, slinky velvet dress designed by Edith Head, – clearly created when Rosemary was a very svelte young woman! Ms. Winer added another touch of authenticity by bringing together Rosemary’s actual band; Pianist John Oddo; Clooney’s musical director; arranger and friend for almost 20 years; reed player Mark Vinci; guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli; bassist Jay Leonhart; and drummer Joe Cocuzon.
Another pleasant surprise was the cast – all renowned names in the world of musical theater and cabaret (which is not always the case in these programs). James Naughton, John Pizzarelli, Paula Wiest, and Karen Ziemba interpreted Clooney’s great hits with style and verve, making the show one of the Y’s most enjoyable yet.
While it is too late to get subscriptions to the entire series, individual tickets are available for each performance. The next L&L show which runs from Saturday night through Monday February 10 – 12, features the lyricist Sheldon Harnick, up front and in person! The songwriter will host the program which will feature music from his shows Fiddler on the Roof; Fiorello; and much more. Following that will be a show focused on Irving Berlin, hosted by Robert Kimball (March 17 – 19); the Lyrics of Leo Robin (wrote “Thanks for the Memory”), hosted by Andrea Markovicci, May 5 – 7; and finally Noel Coward and his Ladies, hosted by cabaret singer Steve Ross (June 2 – 4).
For tickets, call the Y Box Office at 212-415-5500. |
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