Sheldon Harnick News

I just got back from Avery Fisher Hall, where Frank Rich was partaking in a fireside chat (sans fireside) with Stephen Sondheim. I scribbled down as much as I could from the 90 minute conversation. Some of the more interesting topics included the inability for most theatre critics to critique the music in a musical and the greater gratification Sondheim gets from composition than lyric writing because of the way language can restrict him from expressing exactly what he wants to say. ('There are very few lyrics that are perfect lyrics.') I wish there was more time to discuss his observation that Jerry Bock's music has the same edginess as Fred Ebb's lyrics and John Kander's outpouring of music matches Sheldon Harnick's elegant lyrics, giving great dramatic tension to the songs of both teams.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, heralded as one of the great masterpieces in American Musical Theatre, is embarking on its National Tour, which will officially open in Providence. This landmark production, featuring the star of the original motion picture, Chaim Topol, in his farewell performances, will have two preview performances at the Dupont Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware before it begins a multi-city tour that kicks off officially on February 10 at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a family musical about the bonds that hold husbands and wives and parents and children together in times of hardship and times of joy. In what is a huge theatrical feat, PPAC audiences will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Chaim Topol play Tevye for the last time in his farewell performances of the award-winning role that made him legendary in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Topol joins this tour on the heels of a successful, short tour in the South Pacific. After first playing the role of Tevye onstage in 1967, Topol starred in the film version, garnering a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category. In 1983, he reprised the role of Tevye in a London revival and in 1990 he again played the part in a Broadway revival, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. FIDDLER ON THE ROOF performance times are Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00P, Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30P, Thursday, February 12 at 7:30P, Friday, February 13 at 8:00P, Saturday, February 14 at 2:00P & 8:00P, and Sunday, February 15 at 1:00 & 6:30P. Tickets for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF are $70, $65, $63, $58, $53, $48, $43; all ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PPAC's Box Office window, or by calling (401) 421-ARTS, Monday - Friday from 10A - 5P and Saturdays from 10A - 2P; or visit www.ppacri.org to purchase tickets any time. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, email Paul Hiatt at phiatt@ppacri.org or call (401) 574-3162.

The 92nd Street Y continues the 2009 season of Lyrics & Lyricists with DAVID ZIPPEL as host and artistic director of It Started with a Dream, February 21-23. Subtitled David Zippel - Lyrics He Wrote, Lyrics He Wishes He Wrote, the Tony award-winning, Oscar-nominated lyricist of City of Angels and Disney's animated Hercules and Mulan, presents highlights from his own scores and shares his inspirations and personal favorites from the American Songbook. The show features an all-Broadway cast, including vocalists KATE BALDWIN (Wonderful Town, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Full Monty), KEVIN EARLEY (A Tale of Two Cities, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Mis?rables), Tony Award-winner DEBBIE GRAVITTE (Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Chicago, Les Mis?rables), DANNY GURWIN (Little Women, Urinetown, The Full Monty), and Tony Award-winner LILLIAS WHITE (The Life, Dreamgirls, and. the voice of 'Calliope' in Hercules). One of the most acclaimed and sought-after lyricists working today, David Zippel's other credits include the Broadway musical The Goodbye Girl (written with Marvin Hamlisch and Neil Simon), The Woman in White (with Andrew Lloyd Webber, for which Zippel won another Tony nomination) and the musical stage version of Wendy Wasserstein's bestselling children's book, Pamela's First Musical, written with Wasserstein and City of Angels collaborator Cy Coleman. Series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer, in her first season at the helm, notes that this is the first time in over 25 years that L&L will devote an entire show to a contemporary Broadway songwriter at the height of his career--a return to the spirit in which L&L was founded, with the living lyricist as an active participant.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, January 19, 2009.

The shows for Surfside Player's 51st season have been announced, they include: At the Mainstage will show Frost/Nixon, by Peter Morgan, Harvey, by Mary Chase, Prisoner of Second Avenue, by Neil Simon, Chicago, book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Fiddler on the Roof, book by Joseph Stein, Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick At the Second Stage will show Boy Gets Girl, by Rebecca Gilman, Beyond Therapy, by Christopher Durang There will also be Special Events like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Holiday Cabaret Further information: 783-3127 or www.surfsideplayers.com.

For the past 34 years, Westchester Broadway Theatre has donated a matinee performance of one of its mainstage productions each year to the children residing in the area institutions in Westchester County. This year the children will be treated to our terrific musical production of 'A WONDERFUL LIFE'. The matinee will take place on January 14th, 2009.

The 92nd Street Y announces casting for the 2009 season of Lyrics & Lyricists, the Y's legendary American Songbook series. Polly Bergen, Lucie Arnaz, Tom Wopat and Marilyn Maye are among the storied cast members who will sing the songs of Richard Rodgers, Ira Gershwin, Mel Torm?, DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, David Zippel and others. This is the first season curated by new series artistic director DEBORAH GRACE WINER, and her inaugural line-up of guest artistic directors - MARTIN CHARNIN, DAVID ZIPPEL, ROBERT KIMBALL, REX REED, and BILLY STRITCH.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with the classic international hit 'Man of La Mancha,' starring Brent Spiner as Cervantes/Quixote. Julia Migenes, the renowned opera and theatre performer, will play Aldonza/Dulcinea; Valerie Perri will play the role of Aldonza/Dulcinea at matinee performances; and Tony nominee Lee Wilkof will play Sancho Panza.

For the past 34 years, Westchester Broadway Theatre has donated a matinee performance of one of its mainstage productions each year to the children residing in the area institutions in Westchester County. This year the children will be treated to our terrific musical production of 'A WONDERFUL LIFE'. The matinee will take place on January 14th, 2009.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has been heralded as one of the great masterpieces in American Musical Theatre. Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is a family musical about the bonds that hold husbands and wives and parents and children together in times of hardship and times of joy. Create a new tradition in your family and see FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the Providence Performing Arts Center.

The 92nd Street Y announces casting for the 2009 season of Lyrics & Lyricists?, the Y's legendary American Songbook series. Polly Bergen, Lucie Arnaz, Tom Wopat and Marilyn Maye are among the storied cast members who will sing the songs of Richard Rodgers, Ira Gershwin, Mel Torm?, DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, David Zippel and others. This is the first season curated by new series artistic director DEBORAH GRACE WINER, and her inaugural line-up of guest artistic directors - MARTIN CHARNIN, DAVID ZIPPEL, ROBERT KIMBALL, REX REED, and BILLY STRITCH.

This fall brought the 4th B'way show and 2nd child for Kevin, a journeyman performer who also writes music.

Caldwell Theatre Company 2008-2009 Mainstage Season celebrates its 34th Season in Boca Raton Play #1 Now - December 14, 2008 She Loves Me Musical Book by Joe Masteroff Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick Music by Jerry Bock Based on Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlo This blockbuster multiple award-winning musical is considered the most charming musical ever written. With a book by Cabaret's Joe Masteroff, and music and lyrics by the team that brought us Fiddler on the Roof and Fiorello!, She Loves Me is an enchanting love story. Georg and Amalia are two coworkers who bicker constantly but anonymously write each other through a Lonely Hearts column, and ultimately fall in love. With 25 show-stopper songs, She Loves Me is, as Frank Rich of The New York Times said, '... a continuously melodic evening of sheer enchantment and complete escape' and is, as TheaterMania writes, '... impossible not to love.'

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is thrilled to announce that the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO will be released by Sony Masterworks Broadway on February 3, 2009. The CD is produced by David Lai, Bruce Pomahac and Ted Chapin.

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre. Lea Thompson and Patrick Cassidy join Vicki Lewis and Jason Alexander. 'I Love My Wife' will be directed by Larry Moss with choreography by Lee Martino and music direction by Michael Skloff.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell S. Bernard, Trustee) in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) have awarded Adam Gwon the fourth annual Fred Ebb Award. The invitation only award presentation and cocktail reception took place on Monday, December 1, 2008 at The American Airlines Theatre's Penthouse Lobby (227 West 42nd Street).

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with 'I Love My Wife' with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre.

A WONDERFUL LIFE A Heart-Warming Musical for the whole Family! Frank Capra's classic film has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of librettist & lyricist, Sheldon Harnick and Composer, Joe Raposo. The delightful Musical, A Wonderful Life, faithfully follows the plot of the beloved 1946 film which starred Jimmy Stewart. Filled with lots of heart & good-natured optimism Dinner & Show for ONE LOW PRICE!! $73.00 plus tax 6:15pm Dinner & 8pm Show

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell S. Bernard, Trustee) in association with the Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announced today that Adam Gwon has been awarded the fourth annual Fred Ebb Award. The invitation only award presentation and cocktail reception will take place on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at The American Airlines Theatre's Penthouse Lobby (227 West 42nd Street).

Theatre at the Center presents the popular, charming holiday musical A Wonderful Life, running November 13 through December 21 at Theatre at the Center 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana.