Photo Coverage: NYFOS Johnny Mercer Concert

On Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 7 p.m at Weill Recital Hall., the New York Festival of Song presented the benefit concert "Too Marvelous for Words!," a gala evening of Johnny Mercer songs.  A celebration dinner at Remi (145 W. 53rd St.) followed the event.

The concert featured 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.

Visit www.nyfos.org for more information.

Anika Noni Rose

Liz Callaway

Liz Callaway, Alex Mansori and Anika Noni Rose

Liz Callaway and Dan Dutcher (Cohn Dutcher Associates)

Liz Callaway, Dan Dutcher and Anika Noni Rose

Liz Callaway. Steven Blier (Musical Director) and Jack Viertel

Anika Noni Rose, Steven Blier and Jack Viertel

Michael Barrett (NYFOS Co-Artistic Director), Anika Noni Rose, Steven Blier and Liz Callaway

Liz Callaway and Steven Blier

Anika Noni Rose and Liz Callaway