Musical Monday: 92Y Lyrics & Lyricists
Rather than focus on an individual play or musical this week, I wanted to highlight something else I’ve really enjoyed over the past five months. Earlier this month, the 92nd Street YMCA finished up their 49th Season of Lyrics and Lyricists performances. These concert performances showcase all different types of wonderful songwriters in the American Songbook. Though this was my first season, I enjoyed it so much that I’m confident it won’t be my last, especially considered they have $30 tickets for patrons under 35 years of age. Below I’ve highlighted each show this season as well as one song you should listen to from that songwriter.
We’ll Have Manhattan: Rodgers and Hart in New York
The first Lyrics and Lyricists performance discussed the famous song writing duo of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart with an emphasis on the latter. More people might be familiar with Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, whom were a resoundingly successful duo in their own right, but Hart came first. It was great hearing so many old Broadway songs, and I’d recommend everyone listen to “My Funny Valentine.” It’s a classic American song, and if you’ve already heard it, then listen to it again.
Yes, I Can!: The Sammy Davis, Jr. Songbook
Sammy Davis, Jr. was perhaps most well known as being a member of the rat pack. Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis are perhaps the most storied best friends in the history of American music, but sometimes Mr. Davis is overshadowed by Mr. Sinatra. It was fun to have a night focusing on Mr. Davis and the incredible breadth of songs he had as well as the depth of emotion he could put into a song. For a perfect example of the latter, listen to “Mr. Bojangles.”
Sondheim: Wordplay
A good friend once told me he thinks there are two people in the world: Stephen Sondheim people and Andrew Lloyd Webber people. With all due respect to people whose favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera, you are wrong. Mr. Sondheim is the absolute pinnacle of Broadway for me, and being able to sit in an audience and listen performers highlight his incredible wordplay was the best part of the season for me. Listen to “Getting Married Today” from any Company cast album to see just how quick brilliant wordplay can be.
A Beautiful Dawning: Oklahoma! at 75
The performance acknowledged that when they planned to do a performance to honor the 75th anniversary of the Broadway debut of Oklahoma! they didn’t believe there would be a revival on stage at the time. Despite several loud groans at the mention from a few older gentlemen near me, I think this show did a great job of showing how a show can be both timeless and adaptable. There is perhaps no better song from Oklahoma! then “Cain’t Say No,” but hopefully the current cast album is out soon as you can compare the classic orchestrations to the revival.
Live & in Living Color! Songs from TV
Is there anything more memorable than a TV theme song? Whether it is “come and knock on our door” or “where everybody knows your name” or even just the clapping from the Friends theme song, there are few things that have become more ingrained in American culture than music and television. While there were so many fun songs to hear from both television shows and also musicals written just for television, nothing put a bigger smile on my face than hearing “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” It might’ve been from a Coca-Cola ad, but it is truly a beautiful song.