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Bernstein Popular Song & Musical Theater part of Citywide Festival This Fall
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Carnegie Hall News
Back to Press Release List > 09/26/2008 - Bernstein Popular Song & Musical Theater part of Citywide Festival This Fall
CARNEGIE HALL AND NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC PRESENT
BERNSTEIN: THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS
A CITYWIDE FESTIVAL CELEBRATING LEONARD BERNSTEIN
September 24 to December 13, 2008
www.BernsteinFestival.org
POPULAR SONG, MUSICAL THEATER, AND JAZZ
PRESENTED AS PART OF FESTIVAL
CELEBRATING 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF BERNSTEIN’S BIRTH
Bernstein Popular Song Featured in Carnegie Hall Concerts by
The New York Pops on Friday, October 17
and Michael Feinstein on Wednesday, October 22
Pianist Bill Charlap Leads his Jazz Trio in
Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein
at Zankel Hall on Wednesday, December 10
Screenings of Bernstein’s Musical Theater Work and a Panel Discussion on His Broadway Legacy Presented by The Paley Center for Media in November
Encores! Production of On the Town
Presented by New York City Center November 19–23
This fall, Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic present Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, a citywide festival honoring one of the most important international musicians of the 20th century and a quintessential New Yorker—Leonard Bernstein—in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of his birth and the 50th anniversary of his appointment as the Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. Among the 50 Bernstein concerts and events will be two separate evenings celebrating Bernstein popular song at Carnegie Hall: The New York Pops on Friday, October 17 and Michael Feinstein on Wednesday, October 22. In addition, Carnegie Hall presents an intimate evening of jazz interpretations of Bernstein song with the Bill Charlap Trio on Wednesday, December 10. Other offerings of Bernstein musical theater works by festival partners include the Encores! production of On The Town (November 19–23) presented by New York City Center as well as film screenings and a panel discussion on his Broadway legacy at The Paley Center for Media (November 8–22).
In addition to his myriad roles as conductor, pianist, and educator, Bernstein contributed substantially to the Broadway musical stage. He collaborated with Betty Comden and Adolph Green on On the Town (1944)—featuring such standards as “New York, New York” and “Lonely Town”—and Wonderful Town (1953). In collaboration with Richard Wilbur and Lillian Hellman and others he wrote Candide (1956). In 1957 he again collaborated with Jerome Robbins, along with Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents, on the landmark musical West Side Story, later made into an Academy Award-winning film. With such hit songs as “Maria,” “America,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” and “I Feel Pretty,” West Side Story was a smash and is perhaps Bernstein’s most enduring work, and Laurents will direct a major Broadway revival of West Side Story in 2009. In the 1970s, Bernstein collaborated with Alan Jay Lerner on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976) and contributed songs to Phyllis Newman’s one-woman show The Madwoman of Central Park West (1979). Other Bernstein stage works include a one-act opera, Trouble in Tahiti (1952) and its sequel, the three-act opera A Quiet Place (1983), as well as incidental music for two Broadway plays: Peter Pan (1950) and The Lark (1955).
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds events include:
Popular Song: As part of the Bernstein festival, two concerts of popular song at Carnegie Hall are featured in October. On Friday, October 17, The New York Pops perform some of Bernstein’s best-loved songs such as “The Wrong Note Rag” and “One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man” from Wonderful Town, “ “Maria” from West Side Story, and “It’s Gotta be Bad to be Good,” among others led by conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos and featuring soprano Christiane Noll, vocalist Lillias White, tenor Martín Solá, pianist Fred Hersch, violinist Sara Caswell, and special guest Phyllis Newman, who starred in the 1971 Broadway revival of On the Town and sang Bernstein songs in her 1979 one-woman show The Madwoman of Central Park West. On Wednesday, October 22 in Zankel Hall, Michael Feinstein, one of the premier interpreters of American song, pays tribute to Bernstein with special guest Karen Morrow and others to be announced, in a program titled Feinstein and Friends Sing Bernstein.
Jazz: Modern jazz pianist Bill Charlap leads his trio—drummer Kenny Washington and bassist Peter Washington—through unique interpretations of the Leonard Bernstein songbook in a program titled Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein. This concert is presented in partnership with Absolutely Live Entertainment, LLC. The trio’s Grammy Award-nominated album Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein was part of Charlap’s continued exploration of American composers and features jazz reworkings of “Cool” and “America” from West Side Story as well as selections from On the Town, Wonderful Town, Fancy Free, and Candide.
Musical Theater: New York City Center presents a semi-staged production of Bernstein’s breakthrough 1944 musical On the Town as part of its Encores! series from November 19–23. With book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, several popular and classic songs emerged from the musical, including, “New York, New York,” “Lonely Town,” “I Can Cook Too,” and “Some Other Time.” For more information, please visit nycitycenter.org.
From November 8–22, The Paley Center for Media will screen several television adaptations of Bernstein’s musical theater work, including some programs never seen before in the United States. Screenings include Trouble in Tahiti, Candide, West Side Story, and Wonderful Town. On Monday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m., filmmaker Rick McKay (Broadway: The Golden Age) moderates a conversation with star performers and some of Bernstein’s chief collaborators in a program to feature archival footage from the Paley Center collection. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org.
In addition to the above events, Bernstein popular song and selections from some of his best-loved musicals are featured in Carnegie Hall programs with the San Francisco Symphony on September 24 (Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and selections from On the Town), the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on October 24 and 25 (Mass), and the New York Philharmonic on November 14 (Suites Nos. 1 and 2 from West Side Story and the Symphonic Suite from the film On the Waterfront).
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
The New York Pops was founded by Skitch Henderson in 1983 to give New York a permanent professional symphonic pops orchestra that would create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich musical heritage. The orchestra is now the largest independent symphonic pops orchestra in the US and tours throughout the world, as well as performs free concerts in New York City parks through its Summermusic program. The New York Pops’ extensive education programs allow public schoolchildren to participate in numerous concert and music-making experiences. The New York Pops’ recordings include a recently reissued CD of the orchestra’s 1983 debut performance as well as From Berlin to Bernstein, The New York Pops Goes to the Movies, Christmas in the Country, Magical Moments from Great Musicals, and With A Song in My Heart—the Music of Richard Rodgers with Maureen McGovern.
Michael Feinstein, one of the premier interpreters of American popular song, has been a household name since the success of his 1988 one-man Broadway show, Isn’t It Romantic. He enjoys an active performance calendar, including major concert halls, symphony orchestras, intimate jazz clubs, and college campuses. More than a mere performer, he is nationally recognized for his commitment to the American popular song, both celebrating its art and preserving its legacy for the next generation. Mr. Feinstein is currently producing a CD for his friend Liza Minnelli based on the music of her godmother, Kay Thompson, the famed author, singer, and arranger. He will also host and serve as consultant on a new PBS film on vintage Hollywood “soundies” and is producing a documentary feature on arts and society icon Kitty Carlisle Hart. He has written the score for a new stage musical, The Gold Room, opening soon in London’s West End. His latest CD from Concord Records is Hopeless Romantics, a songbook of Harry Warren classics recorded with legendary jazz pianist George Shearing.
Bill Charlap was born in New York City into a musical family. His father, Moose Charlap, was a Broadway composer and songwriter whose credits included the scores to Peter Pan, The Conquering Hero, Whoop-up, Alice Through the Looking Glass and Kelly. Mr. Charlap began playing the piano at a very young age, studying with jazz pianist Jack Reilly and classical pianist Eleanor Hancock and informally picked up pointers from jazz/popular song pianist Dick Hyman. He was fully thrust into the jazz world in the late '80s when he joined baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan's quintet and in 1994 was enlisted by alto saxophonist Phil Woods for his band. He started his solo recording career in 1994 and has released several albums. In 1996, he began playing with his fine working trio of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington. The group has recorded four CDs: 1997's All Through the Night, 2000's Written in the Stars (a collection of Great American Songbook standards), 2002's Stardust (celebrating the songs of Hoagy Carmichael) and 2004's Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein, for which he received a Grammy Award nomination.
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds
Presented by Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic—Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, September 24–December 13, 2008—celebrates a quintessential New Yorker and one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. Renowned nationally and internationally as a leading musical figure in his own lifetime, most notably as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic from 1958 to 1969 and Laureate Conductor from 1969 to 1990, Leonard Bernstein brought his own particular New World sensibility to classical music. Equally at home in a Broadway theater (in such legendary musicals as West Side Story) or the concert hall, Bernstein—who performed at Carnegie Hall over 400 times and with the New York Philharmonic more than 1,200 times during his career—had an enthusiasm for and understanding of music far beyond the classical realm, extending into jazz, world music, American song, and 1960s pop and rock. His charismatic personality and remarkable communication skills through both words and music made him a natural ambassador for music as well as an international celebrity. Through television, Bernstein influenced millions of viewers, sparking excitement and love for classical music that remains with them to this day. With this festival, Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic honor an extraordinary artist, revered as conductor, composer, educator, advocate, and media pioneer.
A number of New York cultural partners will broaden the reach of the festival, presenting Bernstein-themed performances, film screenings, and panel discussions. Joining Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic in these special festivities are Church of St. Ignatius Loyola; The Jewish Museum; Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; New York City Center; The Paley Center for Media; Thirteen/WNET, which will nationally broadcast Carnegie Hall’s all-Bernstein Opening Night Gala concert on PBS’ Great Performances on October 29; and WNYC, which presents “Our Lenny,” an 13-day multiplatform festival from September 24 to October 6 that celebrates the radio station’s unique and long-standing relationship with the maestro.
For complete festival program information, please visit www.bernsteinfestival.org. This online companion to Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds features up-to-date information on the citywide events, press releases, and a multimedia survey of Leonard Bernstein’s musical life, including interactive timelines, slide shows, audio clips, and video featuring Bernstein, his family, colleagues, and friends.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Concerts:
Friday, October 17, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
THE NEW YORK POPS
Constantine Kitsopoulos, Conductor
Christiane Noll, Soprano
Lillias White, Vocalist
Martín Solá, Tenor
Fred Hersch, Piano
Sara Caswell, Violin
Special Guest: Phyllis Newman
THE BERNSTEIN SONGBOOK
ALL-LEONARD BERNSTEIN PROGRAM
Slava! (A Political Overture)
"The Wrong Note Rag" from Wonderful Town
"What a Movie!" from Trouble in Tahiti
"Lucky to Be Me" from On the Town
"One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man" from Wonderful Town
"Spring Will Come Again"
A Musical Toast
"Maria" from West Side Story
"It’s Gotta be Bad to be Good"
"Build My House" from Peter Pan
"My New Friends" from The Madwoman of Central Park West
"Take Care of This House" from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Tickets: $29, $33, $42, $69, $89, $100
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Zankel Hall
STANDARD TIME WITH MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
Michael Feinstein, Artistic Director
with special guest Karen Morrow
FEINSTEIN AND FRIENDS SING BERNSTEIN
Produced for Carnegie Hall by Michael A. Kerker/ASCAP
Sponsored by DeWitt Stern Group, Inc.
Tickets: $90
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
Zankel Hall
BILL CHARLAP TRIO
Bill Charlap, Piano
Kenny Washington, Drums
Peter Washington, Bass
SOMEWHERE: THE SONGS OF LEONARD BERNSTEIN
One of the finest pianists in modern jazz, Bill Charlap leads his acclaimed trio through unique interpretations of the Leonard Bernstein songbook.
Presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with Absolutely Live Entertainment LLC.
Tickets: $34, $44
Musical Theater:
November 19–23, 2008
NY City Center, 130 W. 55th Street
New York City Center Encores! Presents
ON THE TOWN
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Based on a concept by Jerome Robbins
Reflecting Bernstein’s great contribution to American musical theater, New York City Center presents a semi-staged production of Bernstein’s breakthrough 1944 musical On the Town with book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Several popular and classic songs emerged from the musical, including “New York, New York,” “Lonely Town,” “I Can Cook Too,” and “Some Other Time.”
Tickets: $25, $50, $95
For more information please contact New York City Center at 212-581-1212 or www.NYCityCenter.org.
Film Screenings:
November 8 through 22, 2008
The Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd Street
BERNSTEIN’S BROADWAY
The Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television & Radio) will screen several television adaptations of Leonard Bernstein’s musical theater work, including some programs never seen before in the United States.
Screenings are free with Paley Center admission; suggested donation for admission $10, $8 seniors and students.
For more information please contact The Paley Center for Media at 212-621-6600 or www.paleycenter.org.
Presented by The Paley Center for Media in partnership with Carnegie Hall.
Panel Discussion:
Monday, November 17, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
The Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd Street
SEMINAR: BERNSTEIN’S BROADWAY
An examination of Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway legacy, including excerpts from On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide, West Side Story, and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Filmmaker Rick McKay (Broadway: The Golden Age) moderates a conversation with some of Bernstein’s chief collaborators in a program to feature archival footage from the Paley Center collection.
Tickets: $15, $30
For more information please contact The Paley Center for Media at 212-621-6600 ext. 0 or www.paleycenter.org.
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Major funding for Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds has been provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The Alice Tully Foundation, American Express, Bob and Martha Lipp, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Nash Family Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Alfred Taubman.
Additional funding provided by GWFF USA Inc., and Linda and Stuart Nelson.
Generous support has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.
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Ticket Information
Carnegie Hall Performances: Tickets are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, www.carnegiehall.org.
In addition, for all Carnegie Hall Corporation presentations taking place in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, a limited number of partial-view seats, priced at $10, will be available day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance. The exceptions are Carnegie Hall Family Concerts and gala events. These $10 tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis at the Carnegie Hall Box Office only. There is a two-ticket limit per customer.
A limited number of student/senior citizen discount tickets, priced at $10, may also be available for some Carnegie Hall events. They are on sale at the Box Office day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance. Student/senior discount tickets for some Weill Recital Hall events are available at the Box Office one hour before the performance. Please call CarnegieCharge for ticket availability.
New York City Center: Single tickets for New York City Center’s Encores! On the Town will go on sale September 8 at the New York City Center Box Office located on 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, online at www.nycitycenter.org or by calling CityTix at 212-581-1212.
The Paley Center for Media: Screenings are free with Paley Center admission; suggested donation for admission $10, $8 for seniors and students. Tickets for Seminar: Bernstein’s Broadway are priced at $15 and $30. Contact the Paley Center at 212-621-6600 or online at www.paleycenter.org for additional information.
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