Encompass New Opera Theatre, celebrated the 80th birthday of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Bock with a Gala Musical Salute on Sunday, May 18th
The evening began with cocktails at 6 pm, with the performance at 7 pm, followed by Birthday Cake and Champagne at 8 PM The event featured four-time TONY Award winner
Harvey Fierstein, TONY Award winner
Kristin Chenoweth,
Sally Mayes, Neva Small,
Ron Raines,
Brad Oscar and
KT Sullivan among others, all performing songs composed by Mr. Bock.
The performances will included:
Harvey Fierstein singing 'If I Were A Rich Man' from Fiddler;
Kristen Chenoweth singing 'What Makes Me Love Him' from the Apple Tree;
KT Sullivan singing 'Dear Friend' from She Loves Me;
Ron Raines singing 'In My Own Lifetime' from The Rothchilds;
Sally Mayes singing 'A Trip To The Library' from She Loves Me;
Neva Small singling a medley from Fiddler on the Roof;
Sheldon Harnick singing 'The Butchers Solo' which was cut from Fiddler on the Roof;
Brad Oscar singing 'Blonde Blues' from
The Body Beautiful,
And The Encompass Singers: Justin Vickers, Christopher Vettel, Jody Sheinbaum, Douglas Jabara, Nita Baxani, Nadine Carey, Maeve Hoglund, Matthew Pena, Darcy Dunn, with Norman Carey at the piano will sing 'Til Tomorrow' from Fiorello!
Encompass New Opera Theatre is dedicated to the creation, development and production of contemporary opera and new music theatre, as well as the revival of important musical works from the 20th Century by American and international composers. In the vanguard of companies devoted to forging a wider recognition of America's outstanding composers, dramatists and singers, Encompass has, since its inception in 1975, presented over 50 fully mounted productions with orchestra and staged readings of over 150 new works from jazz and cabaret to musicals and opera. In 2000, OPERA America honored Encompass and its founding Artistic director,
Nancy Rhodes, for 25 years of Dynamic Leadership.
For more information please visit www.encompassopera.org
Photos by Peter James Zielinski
