Cabaret & Concert NewsAndréa Burns and Tony Yazbeck Join Lineup for Lenny’s Lyricists ConcertThe two will sing songs by Leonard Bernstein and his many lyricist collaborators as part of the 92nd Street Y series.
By
Robert Viagas
January 16, 2018
Andrea Burns
Monica Simoes
Andréa Burns, Tony Yazbeck, and Howard McGillin are among stars who will take part in the February 24–26 Lenny’s Lyricists concert as part of the 48th season of Lyrics & Lyricists, aseries of tribute revues at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.
Tony Yazbeck
Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Rob Fisher, a Lyrics & Lyricists veteran, and Amanda Green, daughter of lyricist Adolph Green (who worked with writing partner Betty Comden) will examine the lyrics that went with composer Leonard Bernstein’s music, from the early years of his Broadway career with On the Town through Candide, West Side Story, and Mass. Celebrating Bernstein’s centennial year, the concert will feature the lyrics of Comden and Green, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Alan Jay Lerner, Mark Blitzstein, John Latouche, Dorothy Parker, and Richard Wilbur.
In addition to Burns (In the Heights), two-time Tony nominee McGillin (Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), and Tony nominee Yazbeck (On the Town, Prince of Broadway), the concerts will feature Darius de Haas (Rent, Shuffle Along) and Mikaela Bennett (The Golden Apple).
The singers will be accompanied by Ray Wong on piano, Steve Kenyon on reeds, Dick Sarpola on bass, and Erik Charlston on percussion.
The rest of the 2018 Lyrics & Lyricists season will salute the work of songsmiths Irving Berlin, Lynn Ahrens, Frank Loesser, Bobby Darin, and the wordsmith team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Jonathan Groff is among performers who will appear during the season; the Hamilton and Spring Awakening Tony nominee will headline The Bobby Darin Story in January. Additional artists will be announced in the coming months. The series was organized by producer Ted Chapin. Each concert boasts its own director, including Noah Racey, Rob Fisher, Jason Danieley, and Amanda Green.
Individual tickets, which start at $65, are now on sale. Subscriptions to the five-concert series, which runs from January to June, are also available for $125–$350 at 92Y.org/Lyrics.
Here is the season at a glance. Please note that the previously announced March dates for the Berlin and Ahrens concerts have have switched:
January 20–22 The Bobby Darin Story Featuring Jonathan Groff Two-time Tony Award nominee Jonathan Groff (Hamilton, Spring Awakening) will sing a program of songs associated with pop vocalist Bobby Darin, who recorded a hit jazz arrangement of “Mack the Knife” from The Threepenny Opera. In addition to being a major interpreter of the American Songbook, Darin was an Academy Award-nominated actor who wrote more than 200 songs.
March 24, 25, 26 Irving Berlin: American Directed by Noah Racey On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the writing of “God Bless America,” this concert will examine “the man whose life represented the quintessential immigrant story, and see how his story resonates today. Berlin was born in Russia, arrived in Ellis Island at age five, and became one of the most eloquent spokesmen for the country that allowed him to flourish.”
May 5, 6, 7 Lynn Ahrens: A Lyric Life Directed by Jason Danieley Ahrens has created lyrics for award-winning songs for Broadway, Hollywood and television, including Ragtime, Once on This Island, A Man of No Importance, My Favorite Year, Schoolhouse Rock, and the current hit Anastasia. Along the way she earned Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, in addition to Oscar, Grammy Award and Golden Globe nominations. Ahrens will be on hand to discuss her career with songs performed by guest singers to be announced.
June 2, 3, 4 Frank Loesser: Lyricist Directed by David Loud Before he made his mark on Broadway writing music and lyrics to Guys and Dolls, The Most Happy Fella, and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Loesser spent time in Hollywood contributing lyrics to music by many of the era’s great composers—Jule Styne, Burton Lane, Hoagy Carmichael, and more.
Burns, McGillin, and Danieley have been a special guest performers on Playbill’s Broadway on the High Seas cruises. Tickets are now on sale for the Broadway on the High Seas 10: Odyssey Through the Greek Isles cruise June 24–July 1, 2019, with a lineup of top Broadway stars to be announced. Call Judy Perl Worldwide for tickets at (844) 561-3625.
