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by Michael Portantiere

Sheldon Harnick: L'Chaim!

  • On Sunday evening, October 27 at the National Arts Club, Encompass New Opera Theatre honored the great lyricist Sheldon Harnick (Fiorello, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, etc., etc.) with a musical salute featuring some of the brightest Broadway stars of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Also in attendance were several of Harnick's fellow musical theater writers, along with many other notables. Here are my photos of this unforgettable event.

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    Harnick-Prince2.jpg

    Sheldon Harnick and Hal Prince: Colleagues and friends for more than half a century.


    Charlotte-Rae.jpg

    Charlotte Rae, whose friendship with Harnick dates back more than 60 years.


    Rae-Harnick.jpg

    Rae and Harnick, catching up.


    Margery-Jason.jpg

    Harnick's wife, Margery, with Jason Danieley, one of the evening's performers.


    Jim-Dale.jpg

    Broadway star and Harry Potter reader Jim Dale.


    Lin-Manuel.jpg

    Lin-Manuel Miranda, of In the Heights fame.


    Baldwin-Zippel.jpg

    The beauteous singing actress Kate Baldwin (currently on Broadway in Big Fish) with lyricist David Zippel.


    Sklar-Tunick-Silber.jpg

    The brilliant Broadway orchestrator Jonathan Tunick (center), flanked by Broadway composer Matthew Sklar and singer/actress Alexandra Silber.


    Sally-Mayes.jpg

    Sally Mayes, who played Ilona in the 1993 Broadway revival of She Loves Me, took another "Trip to the Library" during the performance portion of the event.


    Barbara-Cook.jpg

    In the highlight of an evening of highlights, Barbara Cook, who created the role of Amalia in the original Broadway production of She Loves Me 50 years ago, made time stand still with her breathtaking rendition of "Will He Like Me?" from that immortal score.



    Published on Sunday, October 27, 2013


    Michael Portantiere has more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has interviewed theater notables for NPR.org, PLAYBILL, STAGEBILL, and OPERA NEWS, and has written notes for several cast albums. Michael is co-author of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: BEHIND THE MYLAR CURTAIN, published in 2008 by Hal Leonard/Applause. Additionally, he is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several major websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.) He can be reached at [email protected]


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