Alec Baldwin, David Henry Hwang and More Covered at the 92Y in 2014

92Y celebrates all things Theater -- plays, musicals (including theater's sister, movie musicals), songwriters, actors, playwrights -- even Broadway ghosts!

Mon, Sep 8, 7:30 pm, $30

THE O'NEILL CENTER: 50 YEARS OF CREATING AMERICAN THEATER

Join O'Neill Center artistic directors Wendy Goldberg, of the National Playwrights Conference, and Paulette Haupt, of the National Music Theater Conference, and distinguished alumni for a look at the O'Neill's influential role as a theatrical laboratory over the last 50 years. As planning for the summer 2015 season gets underway, what is the process for gathering and selecting the next great American plays and musicals? The winner of two Tony Awards, the O'Neill -- named after Eugene -- focuses on the script and guides writers, directors and other theater artists through their journeys from creation to production. Classic works originating at the O'Neill include John Guare's The House of Blue Leaves, Wendy Wasserstein's Uncommon Women and Others and August Wilson's Fences, as well as the musicals Violet, Avenue Q and In the Heights.

Tue, Sep 9, 12 pm, $24

THE MUSIC OF JEROME KERN

Born in 1885 and considered the granddaddy of composers for the musical theater, film and popular music, Jerome Kern rose from impoverished beginnings in an immigrant Jewish family to become America's leading composer. Enjoy listening to favorites like "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "Ol' Man River," "The Way You Look Tonight," "All the Things You Are," while learning about his influence on other great composers and his game-changing Broadway musical, Showboat. Harvey Granat is a popular cabaret performer, Broadway producer, and a historian/educator of the American popular song. He is joined by pianist David Lahm.

Starts Mon, Sep 15, 7-9 pm, $140 for four sessions

Class | A RAISIN IN THE SUN: BEHIND THE SCENES

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun premiered on Broadway in 1959 and its most recent production, starring Denzel Washington, won the Tony for Best Revival of a Play. Playwright and critic Tony Vellela examines the play in depth, including its creation and the struggle to get it produced. See footage from exclusive, revealing interviews he conducted with the original cast, director and lead producer, as well as iconic actors like Phylicia Rashad, Joe Morton and Audra McDonald, who have since reinterpreted roles in the play. Vellela is an award-winning playwright, documentary writer, critic and teacher whose interviews, feature stories and reviews have appeared in Rolling Stone, USA Today, Parade, Dramatics magazine, The Christian Science Monitor, Theater Week and many more. He wrote and produced the PBS series "Character Studies."

Starts Tue, Sep 16, 10-11:30 am, $30 per session / $240 for all 9

Class | GREAT FEMALE ROLES AND THE WOMEN WHO BROUGHT THEM TO LIFE

Playwright and critic Tony Vellela digs deep into some of theater's greatest female characters, exploring what's written on the page, what's implied in the subtext and how they've been interpreted by iconic actresses who have played them. Each session features viewings of segments from Vellela's exclusive, in-depth interviews with the American theater's most respected actresses.

Sep 16: The Glass Menagerie's Amanda-Olympia Dukakis, Julie Harris

Sep 23: Gypsy's Rose-Bernadette Peters, Tyne Daly, Betty Buckley

Sep 30: A Raisin in the Sun's Ruth-Ruby Dee, Audra McDonald

Oct 7: The King and I's Anna-Donna Murphy, Angela Lansbury

Oct 14: Carousel's Julie-Barbara Cook, Shirley Jones

Oct 21: The Heidi Chronicles' Heidi-Joan Allen, playwright Wendy Wasserstein

Oct 28: A Streetcar Named Desire's Blanche-Julie Harris, Uta Hagen

Nov 4: West Side Story's Anita-Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth

Nov 11: The Seagull's Arkadina-Tyne Daly, Uta Hagen

Wed, Sep 17, 7:30 pm, from $30

ERIC LIU WITH DAVID HENRY HWANG: A CHINAMAN'S CHANCE

From Zappos CEO Tony Hseih to "tiger mom" Amy Chua to the Houston Rockets' Jeremy Lin, Chinese Americans are now arriving at the highest levels of American business, civic life and culture-at the same moment when China has emerged at the center of the global scene. What does it mean to be Chinese American in this moment? Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang joins Eric Liu to investigate. Liu is an educator, civic entrepreneur and the author of A Chinaman's Chance.

Fri, Sep 19, 12 pm, $24

MOVIE MUSIC OF THE '30S AND '40S

Enjoy live music, singing, and an enlightening exploration of the stories behind the music from the golden age of movie musicals, including Top Hat, Gold Diggers of 1933, The Wizard of Oz, 42nd Street, On the Town, The Pirate and more! Carla Innerfield is a musicologist, music educator and Program Director of Opera in the Classroom at the Dicapo Opera Theatre in NY. Chris Coogan is a jazz and gospel musician.

Mon, Sep 29, 8 pm, from $28

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS -- MAD PILGRAMAGE OF THE FLESH

Upon publication of John Lahr's new biography of Tennessee Williams, the celebrated drama critic sits for a conversation with the playwright Tony Kushner. "This is a masterpiece about a genius," wrote Helen Mirren. "Only John Lahr, with his perceptions about the theater, about writers, about poetry and about people could have written this book."

Starts Wed, Oct 1, 7-8:30 pm, $175 for 8 sessions

JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY CHOREOGRAPHY

Why is Jerome Robbins considered the master choreographer of Broadway? His work on the landmark shows On the Town, The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof (all targeted for Broadway revivals), as well as Gypsy and West Side Story, exerted monumental influence on dance in the American musical theater. Join Lisa Jo Sagolla for focused viewing and analytical discussion of video recordings, learning about the dramatic importance, lasting impact and artistic appeal of Robbins' Broadway dances.

Wed, Oct 1, 12 pm, $24

KATHARINE HEPBURN: GREAT KATE

A Hollywood leading lady for more than 60 years, Katharine Hepburn was a true original. Join Marc Courtade for an in-depth look at the life and career of this iconic star: her involvement in social causes like women's suffrage and birth control as a young woman; her bumpy beginnings in Hollywood; her triumphant return to Broadway with The Philadelphia Story, her professional and personal relationship with Spencer Tracy and her enduring legacy.

Tue, Oct 7, 12 pm, $24

THE MUSIC OF BING CROSBY

Explore Bing Crosby's life and his contributions to the American Songbook, his influence on Sinatra, Como, Dean Martin, his commercial successes and enduring motion picture career including his Academy Award-winning performance in Going My Way. You'll hear great songs from his repertoire including "Swingin On a Star," "Pennies from Heaven," "Blue Skies," "White Christmas" and "True Love," among many others. Harvey Granat is a popular cabaret performer, Broadway producer, and a historian/educator of the American popular song. He is joined by pianist David Lahm.

Tue, Oct 14, 1:30-3:30 pm, $30

TAP DANCE IN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

What is Broadway tap dancing, and how does it differ from rhythm tap or hoofing? The dazzlingly theatrical routines from 42nd Street and Anything Goes exemplify Broadway-style tapping. But what happened when Gregory Hines and Savion Glover brought contemporary tap styles to Broadway in such shows as Jelly's Last Jam and Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk? Through focused viewing and analytical discussion of video recordings, trace the evolution of tap dance on Broadway with Lisa Jo Sagolla.

Mon, Oct 20, 8:15 pm, from $30

MIDTOWN MEN -- STARS OF JERSEY BOYS

Formed by four stars from the original cast of Broadway's Jersey Boys, the Midtown Men are Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer. For the past seven years, they've been living out the Jersey Boys story in their own lives as they've toured coast to coast, giving sold-out performances of '60s hits. Don't miss the chance to hear the inside story of this charming foursome, as they talk with Valerie Smaldone.

Wed, Oct 22, 8:15 pm, from $30

Conversation + Performance | RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S ALLEGRO

In advance of Classic Stage Company's rare production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1947 musical Allegro, CSC's artistic director Brian Kulick and Tony-winning director John Doyle lead a conversation on the legendary team's most personal, groundbreaking and little-known work. An ensemble musical, Allegro chronicles nearly four decades in the life of a mid-western country doctor, an everyman, from birth to mid-life self-discovery. The evening will also feature performances by cast members TBA.

Sat, Oct 25, 11 am, $35

Walking Tour | THEATER GHOSTS

It's that time of year! The ghosts are getting active, and no one likes to show off more than a theater ghost. Learn the history of Times Square as we search out the spirits of Broadway stars with guide

Gordon Linzner.

Thu, Oct 30, 12 pm, $24

MOVIE MUSIC OF THE '50S AND '60S

Enjoy live music, singing, and an exploration of ?the stories behind '50s and '60s classic performances, including Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Gigi, Brigadoon, Singin' In The Rain, My Fair Lady, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, and more! Carla Innerfield is a musicologist, music educator and Program Director of Opera in the Classroom at the Dicapo Opera Theatre in NY. Chris Coogan is a jazz and gospel musician.

Tue, Nov 4, 7:30 pm, tickets from $30

DICK CAVETT IN CONVERSATION WITH ALEC BALDWIN

Dick Cavett and Alec Baldwin have both acted, written books, and hosted talk shows. Cavett's latest book, Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks (Henry Holt and Co.; October 28, 2014), shares his reflections and reminiscences about Hollywood legends, American cultural icons, and the absurdities of everyday life. He offers piquant commentary on contemporary politics, the indignities of travel, the nature of comedy writing, and the utter improbability of being alive at all. Who better to be in conversation with the legendary Cavett than the one and only Alec Baldwin?

Tue, Nov 11, 12 pm, $24

THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Explore the life and works of the great composer/lyricist-and learn about his unique relationship with Oscar Hammerstein II. You'll hear songs from his best-known musicals, including A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum and Sunday in the Park with George, West Side Story and Gypsy. Harvey Granat is a popular cabaret performer, Broadway producer, and a historian/educator of the American popular song. He is joined by pianist David Lahm.

Thu, Nov 20, 12 pm, $24

THE MUSIC OF RODGERS & HART

Enjoy live music, singing, and an enlightening exploration of the stories behind the music from the great American songwriting partnership of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, including "My Funny Valentine," "With a Song in My Heart" and "My Heart Stood Still." Carla Innerfield is a musicologist, music educator and Program Director of Opera in the Classroom at the Dicapo Opera Theatre in NY. Chris Coogan is a jazz and gospel musician.

About 92nd Street Y -- Now celebrating its 140th Anniversary, 92nd Street Y is a world-class, nonprofit cultural and community center that fosters the mental, physical and spiritual health of people throughout their lives, offering: wide-ranging conversations with the world's best minds; an outstanding range of programming in the performing, visual and literary arts; fitness and sports programs; and activities for children and families. 92Y is reimagining what it means to be a community center in the digital age, transforming the way people share ideas and translate them into action both locally and around the world. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y annually; millions more participate in 92Y's digital and online initiatives. A proudly Jewish organization since its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its Jewish heritage and welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. For more information, visit www.92Y.org.

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