Kaufman Center Press Releases
Merkin Concert Hall Presents Broadway Playhouse
This winter Merkin Concert Hall's 2010 Broadway Playhouse series celebrates three of Broadway's greatest composers and lyricists: Jule Styne (Gypsy, Funny Girl, Peter Pan), Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors) and Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story, On the Town, Candide). Mr. Menken—the recipient of eight Academy Awards, 10 Grammy Awards, two Tony Award nominations, two Drama Desk Award nominations and a BMI Career Achievement Award—will be present at the February 7 concert to give the inside scoop on the production of his hit musicals.
Directed by Sean Hartley, the Broadway Playhouse concerts introduce children ages 4-11 to classic musicals through captivating medleys, rousing sing-alongs, lively games in which audience members participate, and mini-musicals. Children and their families can sing along to well-known songs and hear the stories behind the making of some of the greatest musicals of all time. These musical revues are fun for adults too! Past seasons have featured Frank Loesser, Jerry Herman, Cole Porter, Ahrens & Flaherty, Bock & Harnick and Lerner & Loewe.
This year’s Broadway Playhouse cast includes Jason Robinson, Kathryn Markey, Steve Pacek, Christina Bianco and Gabriella Stravelli as well as Mr. Hartley, who will host.
For information about special Monday morning Broadway Playhouse performances for school groups, please call Faye Menken Schneier at 212 501 3357.
2010 Broadway Playhouse Concerts:
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 11 am
Jule Styne
Jule Styne has written more than 20 Broadway musicals, including what many consider the greatest ever: Gypsy. Other hit shows include Funny Girl, Bells Are Ringing, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and the children’s classic Peter Pan. Working with lyricists like Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Stephen Sondheim, his shows are filled with such unforgettable hit songs as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “The Party’s Over,” "People" and “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.”
Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 11 am
Alan Menken
A generation of Americans has grown up singing Alan Menken’s songs from such animated Disney films as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. His Broadway triumphs include stage adaptations of Mermaid and Beauty, plus Little Shop of Horrors and the upcoming Sister Act. Among his numerous honors are 10 Grammy Awards and eight Academy Awards, including four for Best Song. Mr. Menken will be present.
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11 am
Leonard Bernstein
Composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein is one of the most brilliant and innovative composers ever to write for the musical theater. His hits include On the Town and Wonderful Town (two delightful comedies written with Betty Comden and Adolph Green), the classically inspired operetta Candide and the immortal West Side Story, with lyrics by the young Stephen Sondheim.
Listings Information:
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center Presents
BROADWAY PLAYHOUSE:
Leonard Bernstein
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 11 am
Alan Menken
Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 11 am
Leonard Bernstein
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 11 am
Ticket Information:
3-concert series subscription: $48
Single tickets: $20
Merkin Concert Hall
129 West 67th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam)
Tickets at 212 501 3330 or http://www.kaufman-center.org
Press Only: Hi-res photos for download at http://kaufman-center.org/press/image-library
Kaufman Center: New York’s creative home for listeners, learners and performers Kaufman Center is one of New York City's most vibrant cultural organizations, combining the finest in music education for all ages with world class performance in the acoustically superior Merkin Concert Hall. Founded in 1952 as a community school for preconservatory music training, today's Kaufman Center provides entertainment, education and inspiration for more than 75,000 New Yorkers each year. In addition to Merkin Concert Hall, it is home to Lucy Moses School, New York’s largest community arts school, and the Special Music School, New York’s only public school for musically gifted children.
Broadway Playhouse presentations are made possible, in part, by The Fink Foundation, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The Edith Meiser Foundation in memory of Irving Cheskin, The Janis and Alan Menken Foundation and The Rodgers and Hammerstein Foundation. Additional support for Merkin Hall presentations is provided by Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Barbara Bell Cumming Foundation, The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, Herman Goldman Foundation, and The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.
These programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation through the good offices of Senator Tom Duane. Merkin Concert Hall has been awarded support from the National Endowment for the Arts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Special thanks to Helene Blue, Andrea Brown, Roy Neiderhoffer and Kara Unterberg, and David Shaw and Beth Kobliner Shaw.