Burton Lane Headshot

Burton Lane

Date of Death: January 05, 1997 (84)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

Get Burton Lane Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Burton Lane BIO

Burton Lane was an American composer and lyricist, born Morris Hyman Bernstein on February 2, 1912, in New York City. He began his career in the 1930s as a pianist and arranger for various bands, including the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
In 1937, Lane had his first Broadway success with the musical "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," which he co-wrote with lyricist Alan Jay Lerner. The show was later adapted into a film starring Barbra Streisand. Lane and Lerner went on to collaborate on several other successful shows, including "Royal Wedding" and "Paint Your Wagon."
One of Lane's most famous compositions is the song "Old Devil Moon" from the 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," which he co-wrote with E.Y. Harburg. The show was a critical and commercial success, and the song has since become a jazz standard, recorded by numerous artists including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.
Lane also had success in Hollywood, writing songs for films such as "Babes on Broadway" and "Meet Me in St. Louis," which included the classic song "The Trolley Song." He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "How About You?" from the 1941 film "Babes on Broadway."
In addition to his work in musical theater and film, Lane also wrote songs for television, including the theme song for the popular sitcom "That Girl."
Lane passed away on January 5, 1997, in New York City at the age of 84. His legacy lives on through his numerous contributions to the American musical theater canon, including his classic songs and collaborations with some of the greatest lyricists of all time.

Burton Lane Videos

Burton Lane News


Alice Ripley to Present BELIEVE IT OR NOT at The Green Room 42

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Tony Award winner Alice Ripley in her new show “Believe It or Not” on Saturday, September 3o with shows at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Nadia Quinn to Present LITERALLY ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN at The Green Room 42 This Month

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present TV, film and Broadway’s fun, funny, magical gal Nadia Quinn in her one-of-a-kind feel-good variety act “Literally Anything Can Happen” for two performances on Saturday, September 23 and Thursday, September 28 at 7:00 PM.

The Green Room 42 to Present Australian Drag and Theater Legend Trevor Ashley Next Month

THE GREEN ROOM 42 – the intimate concert venue dubbed Broadway's “off-night hotspot” by The New York Times – will present Australian drag and theater legend Trevor Ashley, best known from the TV hit “Queen of the Universe,” in the new show “Queen of the Moment” for two performances on Thursday, September 14 and Friday, September 15 at 9:30 PM.

Josie de Guzman to Present BACK WHERE I STARTED at The Green Room 42

Join in at The Green Room 42 for an unforgettable performance by Josie de Guzman in BACK WHERE I STARTED. This must-see show is running for a limited time only, so secure your seats today and witness her incredible talent.

New York Debut of THE FABULIST FOX SISTER is Coming to The Green Room 42

Get ready for the highly anticipated New York debut of THE FABULIST FOX SISTER at The Green Room 42. Don't miss this limited engagement performance! Find out all the details and secure your tickets now.

The Green Room 42 Unveils New Look And New Season

THE GREEN ROOM 42 – the intimate concert venue dubbed Broadway’s “off-night hotspot” by The New York Times – has announced a special reopening with a dazzling renovation.

Paul Iacono, Josie de Guzman & More Set for September Lineup at The Green Room 42

Get ready for an incredible lineup of performances at The Green Room 42 this September! Find out who will be taking the stage and when you can catch these talented artists in action. Don't miss out on these unforgettable shows - get all the information you need right here.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is The Inaugural Production Of Core Theatre Group, Hudson Valley's Newest Professional Theatre Company

The Hudson Valley's newest Professional Theatre Company, Core Theatre Group (CTG), founded by Broadway vets and Warwick locals Jessica McRoberts, Pat McRoberts, Paul Loesel and Chuck Ragsdale, announce their first production following company launch with inaugural cabaret fundraiser on Friday, July 14, 2023. 

Isaac Mizrahi, Jason Danieley, Adam Pascal, and More to Play 54 Below Next Month

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and expand the art of the cabaret, honor the music of Broadway, and provide an unparalleled experience to diverse communities.

Samuel Vincent Aubuchon's LOVE REVOLUTION! to Celebrate Broadway's SONGS ABOUT SEX in September

In his NYC solo cabaret debut, Samuel Vincent Aubuchon's LOVE REVOLUTION! is an hour of raucous comedy and a celebration of the sexiest songs from the Broadway and musical theater canon.

After Tremendous Success in Rio International Megahit MAMMA MIA! Opens in Sao Paulo

Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical based on songs recorded by Swedish group ABBA. The heroine of the show is Donna, who keeps a tavern on a small Greek island and plans to marry Sophie, her daughter. Trying to figure out who her father is, Sophie invites the three most likely candidates to the wedding, setting the scene for farcical complications.

Concord Theatricals Recordings Digitally Re-Releases THE GAY 90S MUSICAL, THE PAUL SIMON ALBUM & More

Concord Theatricals Recordings has digitally re-released the fourth wave of albums from the former Fynsworth Alleytheatrical recorded music catalog, including 12 titles that have not previously been available to stream or download.

Michael Kooman Appointed As Director Of Musical Theater Songwriting Program At New York Youth Symphony

Composing music and writing lyrics can often be a daunting task. But when you have a mentor who has life experiences to help guide you and a class full of people to bounce your work off of, it all becomes possible. 

New Director Of New York Youth Symphony Musical Theater Songwriting Program Looks To Inspire The Next Generation Of Theater Writers

Composing music and writing lyrics can often be a daunting task. But when you have a mentor who has life experiences to help guide you and a class full of people to bounce your work off of, it all becomes possible.

Review: SETH SIKES & NICOLAS KING Buddy Up in THE NEW BELTERS at 54 Below

SETH SIKES & NICOLAS KING; THE NEW BELTERS is a high-energy, well-honed entertainment that has its audience buzzing with excitement and tapping its toes with joy.

Schermerhorn & Rice Debut New Show I WANT SONGS Next Month at the Triad Theater

Matthew Schermerhorn and Andy Rice will return to The Triad Theater to debut their new show “I Want” Songs on May 10th  & 12th, 2023, at 7:00pm. 

JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW Comes To 54 Below This June

54 BELOW presents JEFF HARNAR & ALEX RYBECK: OUR 40th ANNIVERSARY SHOW on Tuesday June 13th, 2023 at 7pm. Harnar and Rybeck made their cabaret debuts together at Palsson's Supper Club (now The Triad) on June 13th, 1983.

A World Premiere, West Coast Premieres & More Set for San Francisco Playhouse 21st Season

San Francisco Playhouse has announced its 21st season, to be presented September 2023 to September 2024. See full programming, and learn how to purchase tickets!

REVIEW: ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER Is Given A 21st Century Update With Squabbalogic's Latest Adaptation

Jay James-Moody’s (adaptor, director, performer) adaptation of Burton Lane (Music) and Alan Jay Lerner’s (Book & Lyrics) ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER puts a queer lens and feminist undertone to absurd story of past lives and unusual talents.

Burton Lane FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Burton Lane has written 8 shows including Earl Carroll's Vanities [1931] (Composer), Singin' the Blues (Composer), Hold on to Your Hats (Composer), Laffing Room Only (Composer/Lyricist), Finian's Rainbow (Composer), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Composer), Carmelina (Composer), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Composer).

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Carmelina and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for On a Clear Day You Can See Forever .

Get Burton Lane Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You