Years before his first post-war major hit, Wish You Were Here, Harold Rome wrote songs musicals for the war effort: The Lunchtime Follies; Stars & Garter; Stars and Gripes; and Call Me Mister.  Like Rome, many luminaries of Broadway and Hollywood did what they could for the war effort and more than a few passed through the Stage Door Canteen, located in the heart of the theater district.  The American Theatre Wing resurrected a less ambitious version of Stage Door Canteen, dating from WWI, and for four years—1942 through 1945—it was the place for servicemen and members of the theater community to gather socially.

The latest production of Lyrics & Lyricists at the 92nd Street Y brought together five exceptional singers, a superb group of musicians and the artistic director and host Ted Chapin (pictured), who spoke of the amazing power of a song to galvanize people for a common cause to “preserve some of the basic tenets of American society.”  Every tune—some familiar, some neglected—was selected as a “song that defined the period”: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’”; “The Last Time I Saw Paris”; and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

The delightful revue, with three dozen songs in all, featured a tender moment by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II—“All the Things You Are,” (Very Warm for May) beautifully sung by Betsy Wolfe, a rousing performance of “Oklahoma!” by the entire cast and the sentimental “White Christmas,” presented by Anderson Davis, Brandon Victor Dixon and Jeffry Denman.  Having all sung marvelous solos earlier (“Wait Till You See Her,” “Song of the Free” (Weill and MacLeish) and “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen,” respectively), their inspired harmony incited a response which must have been similarly emotional when the song was first sung.

Although all the vocalists have Broadway credentials, the most seasoned and acclaimed of the company was Debra Monk, winner of the Tony Award for Redwood Curtain, and Tony nominee/Drama Desk award winner for Curtains.  Among Monk’s best offerings were “The Saga of Jenny,” a humorous tale from Lady in the Dark by Ira Gershwin and Kurt Weill, and “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (Rodgers and Hart), one of the most popular songs to emerge from Pal Joey and sung with appropriate irony and sexiness.

The musical arrangements and orchestrations were written by Musical Director and pianist Andy Einhorn, whose impressive credits include Brief Encounter, Sondheim on Sondheim and The Light in the Piazza.  Einhorn also has extensive experience working with Barbara Cook and Audra McDonald.  Led effectively by Einhorn, the band included Mark Allen (reeds), Matt Peterson (trumpet), Bill Ellison (bass), Bruce Doctor (drums) and Greg Jarrett (piano), all of whom played outstandingly, contributing vigorous support.

Ted Chapin, making his debut with Lyrics & Lyricists, did a fabulous job in presenting the history of Stage Door Canteen and interesting anecdotes relating to the times and the context of the Broadway productions in which the songs appeared.  Stage direction was provided by Caitlin Carter, whose strong resume includes choreography for Romeo and Juliet, 110 in the Shade, both in New York, a touring company of Chicago, numerous television commercials, and as an actor, Bells Are Ringing, Can-Can, No Strings and A Chorus Line.  This was her fourth engagement in the outstanding series.

Now entering its fifth decade, Lyrics & Lyricists is guided by Artistic Director Deborah Grace Winer.  The series has evolved from presenting the American Songbook writers who were still with us at the time to programs designed as tributes to their songs.  Its successful practice of utilizing high quality performers such as these can only insure that the popular series will continue for some years to come.

Jerry Osterberg
Cabaret Scenes
March 14, 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org