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Photos: Encompass New Opera Honors John Kander

The Encompass New Opera Theatre paid tribute to composer John Kander of May 15 in a gala performance at the National Arts Club.

After a welcome by Harold Prince, a selection of Kander's songs were performed by stage vets including Chita Rivera, Jason Danieley, Marin Mazzie, Debra Monk, James Naughton, Richard Thomas, Karen Ziemba, Peter Howard, and more. The benefit was chaired by lyricist Sheldon Harnick.

Encompass New Opera Theatre is dedicated to creating, developing and producing imaginative productions of new music theatre and contemporary
opera. Striving to discover and nurture emerging artists, premiere groundbreaking new productions, and revive important 20th century operas
by outstanding American and international composers, Encompass has produced over 46 fully-mounted operas with orchestra and staged readings
of more than 100 new works, from jazz and cabaret to musicals and opera.

Debra Monk, Joe Stein, John Kander and Albert Stephenson Stephen Sondheim and Roger Berlind Jamie DeRoy and Steven Ernst Sheldon Harnick, Nancy Rhodes, Hal Prince and Joe Stein Rose Billings, Robert Goulet and Vera Goulet Harriet Slaughter, Shari Upbin, Joan Fisher and Hal Prince Shari Upbin, and Nancy Rhodes Robert Goulet, Nancy Rhodes, and Jeff Saver James Naughton, Shari Upbin, and Richard Thomas David Loud, and Karen Ziemba Bruce Saver, Jeff Saver and Chita Rivera Hal Prince Karen Ziemba sings "Willing to Ride" from Steel Pier Richard Thomas sings "She's a Woman" from Kiss of the Spider Woman Debra Monk sings "Everybody's Girl" from Steel Pier James Naughton sings "Razzle Dazzle" from Chicago  Marin Mazzie launches into "Ring Them Bells" from Liza with a Z Jason Danieley takes his responsibility as 'Bell Ringer' very seriously! Daniely sings "The Only One" from The Visit Nancy Rhodes The Encompass Singers Harriet Slaughter Robert Goulet The one and only Chita Rivera! Rivera shows her love for John Kander Kander is honored. Bruce Saver, John Kander, Robert Goulet Nancy Rhodes, Jeff Saver, Chita Rivera, Harriet Slaughter Husband and wife Daniely and Mazzie. John Kander and Jason Daniely