James Darrah Photo

From: Photo Coverage: The American Songbook Project Presents NAME THAT TUNE Benefit

On Friday, November 4th, The American Songbook Project held its annual signature event, their 'Name That Tune' benefit at the historic Hudson Theater in New York. Their mission is to preserve the American Songbook by bringing professional singers in the NYC schools. This year they honored Broadway composer Jerry Herman and Guild Hall (East Hampton), both of whom celebrated their 80th birthdays this year. Liz Smith emceed the Jerry Herman tribute and her passionate, loving remarks about her friend included 'It is said by show biz insiders that Jerry is so universal the you just hear a song of his once and you can hum it or sing it. And you probably can't stop. That is pretty damned great. He is universal in the musical theater, the songsmith of modern American life.' Mr. Herman's tribute included performances by James Darrah recreating his role of Ambrose Kemper from the last Carol Channing revival of Hello Dolly singing 'It Only Takes a Moment;' Meredith Patterson and Jeffry Denman performing 'Tap Your Troubles Away' from Mack and Mabel; and Andrea McArdle singing 'If He Walked into My Life Today' from Mame accompanied movingly by nine-year old Kyrian Friedenberg on trumpet.