Sheldon Harnick Goes Downstage Center, November 17

The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio proudly present an interview with celebrated Broadway lyricist Sheldon Harnick on their weekly theatrical interview show, "Downstage Center," on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28). Harnick will appear as the special guest on Friday, November 17 at 6 p.m. The show will repeat on Saturday, November 18 at noon, Sunday, November 19 at 7 p.m., and Wednesday, November 22 at midnight.

 

In the interview, Harnick explains the genesis of The Apple Tree as he prepares for its first Broadway revival; recalls his days as a writer of revue songs and his early encouragement from famed broadcaster Dave Garroway; recounts how he began his collaboration with composer Jerry Bock; shares why he's particularly proud of the title song from She Loves Me; and reflects on the experience of hearing his words to Fiddler on the Roof sung in Scandinavian languages.

 

Harnick has won two Tony Awards®, two Grammy Awards®, and recorded three gold records and one platinum record. In 1957, he teamed with Jerry Bock to create the scores for a number of memorable musicals including Fiorello (Tony Award®, Pulitzer Prize), She Loves Me (Grammy), Fiddler on the Roof (Tony Award®), The Rothschilds and The Apple Tree. Hanick's other musicals include Rex (Richard Rodgers), A Wonderful Life (Joe Raposo), A Christmas Carol (Michel Legrand), The Phantom Tollbooth (Arnold Black and co-librettist Norton Juster) and Dragons, for which he wrote the book, lyrics and music. He contributed songs to the films The Heartbreak Kid, Blame It on Rio (Cy Coleman) and Aaron's Magic Village (Legrand). In the world of opera, he provided librettos for Jack Beeson's Cyrano, Dr. Heidegger's Fountain of Youth and Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines, Henry Mollicone's Coyote Tales and Thomas Z. Shepard's Love in Two Countries.

 

Each new "Downstage Center" program is regularly broadcast at 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 12 a.m. (all times EST). Following the initial run on XM, each program is made available for free, on-demand, internationally as both streaming audio and podcast on ATW's Web site, www.americantheatrewing.org.  Visit www.xmradio.com for more on XM Satellite Radio.