Callaway, Rose, Etc. to Sing Johnny Mercer for NYFOS

On Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 7 p.m., the New York Festival of Song celebrates with a benefit concert titled "Too Marvelous for Words!," a gala evening of Johnny Mercer songs. 

The concert, at 7 p.m. at Weill Recital Hall, will feature the songs of lyricist Johnny Mercer as performed by Tony-nominee Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon, Baby), Eric Comstock and Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls film, Caroline, or Change) with Steven Blier at the piano.  Mercer's blue chip portfolio of musical partners includes some of America's greatest writers- from Jerome Kern and Hoagy Carmichael to Harold Arlen, Richard Whiting and Henry Mancini.  Following the concert is a dinner at Remi (145 West 53rd Street) at 8:30 pm.

"New York Festival of Song, celebrating its 19th season, connects unforgettable songs, extraordinary performers, and adventurous audiences. In 1988, pianists Michael Barrett and Steven Blier founded New York Festival of Song (NYFOS), dedicated to creating beautiful, intimate song concerts that entertain, educate and connect extraordinary performers and adventurous audiences in an informal atmosphere of shared discovery. NYFOS programs combine music, poetry, history and humor, and story unified by a common theme, weaving together great songs of diverse genres and exploring the character and language of other regions, cultures, and personal voices of song composers and lyricists," state press notes.

Steven Blier, co-founded the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) in 1988 with Michael Barrett. Since the Festival's inception he has programmed, performed, translated and annotated over ninety vocal recitals with repertoire spanning the entire range of American song, art song from Schubert to Szymanowski, and popular song from early vaudeville to Lennon-McCartney. In keeping the traditions of American music alive, Mr. Blier has brought back to the stage many of the rarely heard songs of Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Kurt Weill and Cole Porter. He has also played ragtime, blues, and stride piano evenings with John Musto. A champion of American music, he has premiered works of John Corigliano, Ned Rorem, William Bolcom, John Musto, Richard Danielpour, Tobias Picker, Robert Beaser and Lee Hoiby, many of which were commissioned by NYFOS. An accomplished accompanist and vocal coach Mr. Blier is on the faculty of the Juilliard School and appears regularly on the Metropolitan Opera Radio broadcasts. 

Tickets are $500 or $750 per person, tables of eight are $4,000 and $6,000 and may be obtained by calling the NYFOS office at 646-230-8380.  Visit www.nyfos.org for more information.

Photo of Anika Noni Rose by Retna Ltd.