Kennedy Center Joins In Loesser Legacy Celebration With Concerts & New Stage Work

Tuesday, June 29 will mark the 100th birthday of composer and lyricist Frank Loesser. Over the course of his career, Loesser wrote over 700 songs and five Broadway musicals and contributed music and lyrics to dozens of Hollywood films.

A number of events are taking place around the country to mark the centennial of this American icon.

On May 3, The Kennedy Center will host two special events: Millennium Stage will unveil Of Mice and Manhattan, a new stage work based on Frank Loesser's previously unheard animal songs with lyrics and music by Frank Loesser, additional lyrics by Gerry Greengrass and book by Barry Kornhauser. The performance is at 6:00 pm and admission is free.

Later that evening, the Kennedy Center's Explore the Arts will present "Broadway Up Close and Personal: Frank Loesser" in the Terrace Theater at 7:30 pm. ASCAP's Michael Kerker will interview Jo Sullivan Loesser about the composer and lyricist's work and life. They will be joined by three Broadway favorites: Ron Raines, Susan Egan, and Noah Racey (who starred in Goodspeed's 2004 revival of Where's Charley?). Tickets are $18.00 and can be purchased via www.kennedy-center.org or 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600.

On June 29, Turner Classic Movies will honor the centennial with an evening of classic films including Loesser songs. This offers fans a rare opportunity to experience Loesser's incredibly versatile musical oeuvre first-hand.

The films that are slated to be shown include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967), Neptune's Daughter (1949), Red, Hot and Blue (1949) and Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943).

Fans who tune in that evening will get a special treat: Walter Gottlieb's "superb" (San Francisco Chronicle) documentary Heart & Soul: The Life and Music of Frank Loesser (2006), which illuminates Loesser's fascinating, but all-too-brief life and remarkable career.

On November 26 and 27, Marvin Hamlisch will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra Pops in two centenary tribute concerts that will feature selections from Loesser's Broadway smashes Guys and Dolls and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased via www.kennedy-center.org or 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600.

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