Broadway Playhouse Press Release
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center Presents
BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE
Introducing Broadway Classics to a New Generation of Theater Fans
2012 concerts feature George & Ira Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim & “Yip” Harburg
January 8, February 5 & March 18, 2012
“Broadway Playhouse is a valuable and enjoyable vehicle for getting an important
segment of our kids (and adults) connected with the theater. It couldn’t be more
important to an American tradition.”
– Charles Strouse, composer of Annie and Bye, Bye Birdie
“I was pleased, astonished and impressed that Sean Hartley and company were able to capture
the interest and attention of young audiences while acquainting them with some of my work; and
astonished that they had managed to entertain children with material written for adults.
Since these youngsters are the theater audiences of tomorrow, all I can say is ‘Bravo!’”
– Sheldon Harnick, lyricist of Fiddler on the Roof
Merkin Concert Hall’s Broadway Playhouse series introduces children age 4-11 to classic Broadway
shows through mini-musicals, medleys, sing-alongs and games in which children participate.
Now in its 6th season, Broadway Playhouse has delighted both children and adults with playful
presentations of musicals by Leonard Bernstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers & Hammerstein,
Alan Menken and many others.
This season, families will get the inside story on George and Ira Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim and “Yip” Harburg. The cast includes Jason Robinson, Kathryn Markey, Christina Bianco, Martin Landry, Gabriella Stravelli and host Sean Hartley.
2012 Concert Schedule:
Sun, 1/8/12 at 11 am
Broadway Playhouse: George & Ira Gershwin
An exploration for family audiences of the Gershwin brothers’ Broadway legacy, with songs from
Strike Up The Band, Porgy And Bess and Girl Crazy.
Sun, 2/5/12 at 11 am
Broadway Playhouse: Stephen Sondheim
At last, we take on the great Sondheim in a kid-friendly exploration of Sweeney Todd, Into the
Woods, Follies and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Sun, 3/18/12 at 11 am
Broadway Playhouse: “Yip” Harburg
Celebrate E.Y. “Yip” Harburg’s playful, inventive lyrics from Broadway (Finian’s Rainbow) and
Hollywood (The Wizard of Oz).
Free Performances for Title 1 School Groups
Kaufman Center provides free or discounted tickets to special Monday morning Broadway
Playhouse performances for children from Title 1 schools in underserved communities. Last season
more than 800 children from seven NYC public schools attended these school concerts, which
received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and teachers. A Curriculum Guide
developed by director Sean Hartley helps teachers prepare their students for the concerts and to
enhance their learning before and after. The Guide includes background material on the writers
and lyrics as well as CDs of songs taught in the concerts and many activities for children that give
them a deeper insight into the creative process, including writing original lyrics, designing posters
and writing plays. This program is supported by the TD Charitable Foundation.
School group tickets are still available for the 2012 concerts; please email bph@kaufmancenter.
org for information.
Tickets
3-concert subscription: $48
Single tickets: $20
Tickets at 212 501 3330 or www.kaufman-center.org
Press information
Joan Jastrebski, 212 501 3386, joan@kaufman-center.org
Merkin Concert Hall
at Kaufman Center
129 West 67th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam)
