Photos/Review: American Songbook Association Honors Sheldon Harnick With Lifetime Achievement Award

42nd Street, for over a century the place where so many momentous theatrical events have taken place was the scene of another one last night at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Sheldon Harnick the legendary lyricist was celebrated in an evening presented by the American Songbook Association which featured a star studded musical tribute by some of Broadway and Cabaret's most consummate performers. Mr. Harnick received the American Songbook Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Klea Blackhurst one of the most talented and witty performers in the business got the call to host the event and started the evening off with "Boston Beguine" from Mr. Harnick's New Faces of 1952 which had music and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. In addition to hearing the words of Mr. Harnick sung by the remarkable cast the audience heard the welcoming words of Marilyn Lester, Executive, Executive Director, Carolyn Montgomery, Director: Education and Outreach Program, and Board Member Craig Pomranz who read a message from Mayor Bill de Blasio. Deborah Grace Winer presented Mr. Harnick with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

This is the year of the huge success of the Harnick/Bock masterpiece Fiddler on The Roof in Yiddish and the American Songbook's celebration was titled To Life!. Steven Skybell, Tevye in the current production of Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish brought the audience to its feet with his rendition of "Ven Ikh Bin Rothchild" Everyone got the message without the subtitles and the glorious evening ended with the Cast and audience joining in the traditional Jewish dance to Fiddlers, TO LIFE.

The evening featured Eugene Gwozodz, music director, Danny Bacher, featured player (reeds), Tom Hubbard, Bass, and Mark McLean, drums.

Performers, in order of appearance, included Kissy Simmons, Klea Blackhurst, Adam Heller, Danny Bacher, Samantha Massell, Melanie Moore, Alexandra Silber, Brad Oscar, Liz Callaway, Jeff Harnar & Alex Rybeck, Alan Schmuckler, Jeffrey Saver and Rhyn McLemore Saver, Ed Dixon, Sidney Myer, Judy Kuhn, Robert Cuccioli, and Steven Skybell.

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

Sheldon Harnick & Margery Gray

Margery Gray & Sheldon Harnick

Klea Blackhurst, Host

Klea Blackhurst

Kissy Simmons

Marilyn Lester, Executive Director

Carolyn Montgomery, Director: Education & Outreach Program

Adam Heller

Danny Bacher

Samantha Massell, Melanie Moore, Alexandra Silber

Samantha Massell, Melanie Moore, Alexandra Silber

Samantha Massell, Melanie Moore, Alexandra Sillber

Brad Oscar

Liz Callaway

Liz Callaway

Jeff Harnar

Jeff Harnar & Alex Rybeck

Jeff Harnar

Alan Schmuckler

Rhyn McLemore Saver

Ed Dixon

Ed Dixon

Sidney Myer

Judy Kuhn

Robert Cuccioli

Steven Skybell

Steven Skybell

Steven Skybell

Craig Pomranz & Klea Blackhurst

Alexandra Silber

Deborah Grace Winer & Sheldon Harnick

Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre

To Life!

Marilyn Lester & Frank Dain

Danny Bacher & Frank Dain

The Cast

The Cast

Sheldon Harnick & Margery Gray

Jeff Harnar & Liz Callaway

Liz Callaway & Sheldon Harnick

Eda Sorokoff & Alyce Finell, Director Mabel Mercer Foundation

Debbie Bush Whiting, Sanborn McGraw, Marilyn Lester

Riki Kane Larimer & Eda Sorokoff

Jamie deRoy & Sheldon Harnick