Laura Osnes, Ann Harada, Erich Bergen, Liz Larsen, Telly Leung, Alexandra Silber, James Snyder, Sal Viviano, Lora Lee Gayer, and Betsy Wolfe will take part in the March 13 benefit concert Oscar’s Home!
The evening will raise funds to acquire and restore Highland Farm, home of Oscar Hammerstein II, and develop a museum honoring the late lyricist. Located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the farm is where Hammerstein collaborated with Richard Rodgers on musicals including Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music.
“A small number of us have fought long and hard to get to this point in transforming Highland Farm into a museum and education center. So, it is especially gratifying to see so many stars help us raise funds to make it a reality,” said William Hammerstein, grandson of the late Tony-winning lyricist. “I don’t think there could be a better time for a museum honoring Oscar Hammerstein II. With the country so divided, we need more places to find common ground. Oscar Hammerstein was a man for all people, whose work created powerful bonds in communities and around the world, and continues to do so still. He seems to bring out our best. It’s magical.”
Lance Horne will music direct the 6 PM event at The Player’s Club, NYC. The concert is produced by Kristine Lewis, Brenda Gelles, and Steve Schonberg, who also serves as host. Honorary hosts are William Hammerstein and Ted Chapin, president and chief creative officer of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization.
The Hammerstein Center’s goal is to “restore the house at Highland Farm and give house tours, where we will tell inspiring stories of the man and the history that happened there. We will also restore the barn and turn it into a browsing museum, telling the story of Oscar Hammerstein’s life, beginning with his grandfather, Oscar I, father of Times Square and ending with Stephen Sondheim, who honors Oscar’s legacy on Broadway to the present day.” The Center also intends to build a new theater in Doylestown to present Hammerstein musicals and additional community programming.
For tickets, visit HammersteinCenter.org. The Player’s Club is located at 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC.
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