Corey Cott, Kara Lindsay, Ron Raines and More Set for ASCAP Centennial Celebration, Beginning Today

The Kennedy Center, under the auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), presents a free, five-night ASCAP Centennial Celebration on the Millennium Stage today, November 16 through the 18th and 20-21, 2013.

This live showcase of musical theater works from the past 100 years features songs by some of the theater world's most talented composers and lyricists and concerts from a lineup of acclaimed musical theater performers. The celebration is part of the Center's daily, free Millennium Stage performance series streamed live on the Kennedy Center website and archived for future viewings. It is the first in a series of events across the country that will celebrate ASCAP's upcoming 100th birthday, on February 13, 2014.

Curated by Michael Kerker, ASCAP's Director of Musical Theater, the ASCAP Centennial Celebration will highlight the breadth and depth of the past century of musical theater with each night of the celebration focusing on a certain era from the last 100 years. The event kicks off on Saturday, November 16 with a concert focusing on works relating to "Broadway Today and Tomorrow." On Sunday, November 17, the second evening of performances will feature works from the years 1914-1938, to be followed on Monday, November 18 with songs from "The Golden Era" of Broadway (1939-1963). Selections from the 1964-1988 era will be highlighted on Wednesday, November 20; with the final night of the celebration, Thursday, November 21, focusing on selections from 1989-2013.

The ASCAP Centennial Celebration will feature performances by KLea Blackhurst (Everything The Traffic Will Allow); Drama Desk nominee Shelly Burch (Nine; Stop the World, I Want to Get Off); Corey Cott (Newsies), Jason Graae (Falsettos, A Grand Night For Singing); Kara Lindsay (Newsies); Jessica Phillips (Leap of Faith, Priscilla Queen of the Desert); Tony nominee Ron Raines, pianist Ben Rauhala, and jazz violinist and arranger Aaron Weinstein. The performances will include works by composer and lyricist John Bucchino (A Catered Affair); Tony Award-winning lyricist, writer, and director Martin Charnin (Annie); Tony-nominated songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (A Christmas Story, Dogfight); Tony-winning conductor, music director, and songwriter Donald Pippin (Oliver!, Mame, A Chorus Line, La Cage aux Folles); composer Sam Willmott; and songwriting team Amanda Yesnowitz and Deborah Abramson.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride