Lyrics & Lyricists

The granddaddy of American songbook programs, Lyrics & Lyricists was launched in 1970 when longtime Broadway conductor Maurice Levine and lyricist E.Y. “Yip” Harburg took to the stage of the 92nd Street Y to talk about the then unusual topic of songmaking. The series has featured every great Broadway and Hollywood lyricist and composer, laying the groundwork for more recent series like Lincoln Center’s American Songbook, Carnegie Hall’s American Popular Song Celebration and City Center’s Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert.

Lyrics & Lyricists has been one of the most popular series at the 92nd Street Y since its inception in 1970 when it focused primarily on lyricists. Eventually, the series expanded to include composers, and in 1984 went from first-person histories of the American musical theatre to a series of narrated musical revues. This year, the programs include:

January 6 – 8, 2007
The Last Girl Singer: Rosemary Clooney …And Her Way with Words
Deborah Grace Winer, Artistic Director & Host
Featuring James Naughton, John Pizzarelli, Paula West and Karen Ziemba. Debby Boone, Clooney’s daughter-in-law, appears as a special guest on Sunday and Monday (January 7 & 8).

February 10 – 12, 2007
Harnick: Collector’s Items (Other People’s Lyrics), Part 2
Rob Fisher, Artistic Director & Piano; Sheldon Harnick, Host
Vocalists to be Announced

March 17 – 19, 2007
Say it With Music: The Songs of Irving Berlin
Robert Kimball, Artistic Director; Charles Osgood, Host
Featuring: Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Max Morath (Piano), and Vocalists (to be announced).

May 5 – 7, 2007
Thanks for the Memories: The Lyrics of Leo Robin
Andrea Markovicci, Artistic Director & Host; Shelly Markham, Music Director
Featuring: Klea Blackhurst, Gregory Harrison and Jennifer Sheehan, with additional vocalists to be announced.

June 2 – 4, 2007
Noel Coward and His Ladies
Steve Ross, Artistic Director, Host, Piano, Vocals; Barry Day, Script
Featuring Patricia Hodges with additional vocalists to be announced.

For more information on each of the Lyrics & Lyricists programs, please click here.