92Y'S LYRICS & LYRICISTS Presents a Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration LENNY'S LYRICISTS

Following sold out performances and rave reviews for Lyrics & Lyricists season opener The Bobby Darin Story, the series continues with Lenny's Lyricists, 92Y's nod to the centennial of Leonard Bernstein, including never-before-heard stories about this extensively documented composer. Writer and host Amanda Green - Tony-nominated songwriter, performer and daughter of lyricist and book writer Adolph Green - joins artistic director and L&L favorite Rob Fisher to celebrate the composer's extraordinary lyric collaborations on such standards as Something's Coming, New York, New York and Make Our Garden Grow. Bringing the lyrics to life are vocalists: Mikaela Bennett (The Golden Apple), Andréa Burns (On Your Feet!, In the Heights), Darius de Haas (Shuffle Along,), Howard McGillin(Gigi), and Tony Award nominee Tony Yazbeck (On the Town), under the direction of Gary Griffin.

The Greens and Bernstein were lifelong friends, and Amanda will share her personal view and behind-the-scenes stories about Bernstein's groundbreaking shows with her father and Betty Comden, his work with the young Stephen Sondheim, the (many!) lyricists for Candide and more.

"The world simply had no previous model for the boundless reach of Leonard Bernstein," comments Rob Fisher. "Bernstein worked with many lyricists, including himself (repeatedly), and collaboration kindled his already blazing expressivity as he connected with as many other artists as he could. I am especially excited to share Amanda Green's first-hand observations of her father Adolph's relationship with 'Lenny' and their colleague Betty Comden. In preparation for this program Amanda consulted her friends Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, and the Bernstein 'kids' for their recent reflections about this passionate artist and how he worked. I am passionate about Lyrics and Lyricists because it is the only opportunity to reveal the mechanics of collaboration so personally."

Learn more before the show at this class from 92Y's School of Music

Bernstein and Song

Sun, Feb 18, 2018, 2:30 pm, $45

Leonard Bernstein was that rare "classical" composer and musician who was also a terrific songwriter. We'll continue his 100th birthday celebration by exploring his diverse song catalogue from all possible angles, including theater songs from West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, On the Town, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and Trouble in Tahiti, as well as selections from his lesser known but equally beautiful song cycles such as Songfest, I Hate Music and Arias and Barcarolles.