THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK is a musical collage of the 21 musicals that were playing in New York in 1959. “Gypsy,” “The Sound of Music,” “Fiorello,” “West Side Story,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Music Man,” “Flower Drum Song,” “Bells are Ringing,” & “Once Upon a Mattress” are among the shows is this tribute to an era some have called the twilight of The Golden Age of Broadway. Songwriters represented include Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburgh, Leonard Bernstein, Comden & Green and Lerner & Loewe. Over 40 songs are woven together including “Tonight,” “On The Street Where You Live,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Til There Was You,” “The Party’s Over,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” in a show that also pays homage to the very structure of a Broadway Musical, including an “Overture,” “Entr’Acte” and an “Intermission,” the latter featuring a humorous nod to pop and Hollywood music and current events of 1959.
JEFF HARNAR first performed “The 1959 Broadway Songbook” as a one-man show for his 1991 debut at The Algonquin Hotel’s fabled Oak Room. The show was recorded live (Original Cast Records) and televised (PBS) and has toured nationally, including major engagements in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Beach and London.
Music Director ALEX RYBECK
Directed by SARA LOUISE LAZARUS
Bass DAN KLINE Drums PHIL GRATTEAU
Critic’s Choice - “Superb” - THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Extraordinary” – NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
“The best cabaret act in town!” - REX REED
“A Hit!” – CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“Harnar’s ‘Broadway Songbook’ something to sing about.” – DALLAS MORNING NEWS
“Top Five” Critic’s Choice – THE TIMES, LONDON