Lyrics & Lyricists at 92nd Street Y

A genius of dexterity, there isn’t a lyricist in American music who plays with words and language with greater virtuosity or delivers greater delight. From tongue twisters to passages of alliterative wit, "Sondheim: Wordplay" will examine how Sondheim puts it all together, and celebrate the master craftsman with his own brilliant words.

An early dismissal of the show: "No jokes, no legs, no chance," couldn’t have proved more wrong. "Oklahoma!" ushered in an entirely new kind of musical, and with it, the dawning of a new era in musical theater. The presentation will examine the groundbreaking show through its classics ("Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin,’" "People Will Say We’re in Love"), uncover songs dropped from the production during its pre-Broadway run ("Boys and Girls Like You and Me," others), and explore—with fresh eyes—"Oklahoma’s!" exciting new productions and continued relevance 75 years after its history-making premiere.

Music in television goes far beyond memorable theme songs, with such original musicals as Rodgers + Hammerstein’s "Cinderella," Stephen Sondheim’s "Evening Primrose," Cole Porter’s "Aladdin," and others written expressly for the small screen. Original songs were created for special events ("Love and Marriage" for a television version of Thornton Wilder’s "Our Town"), for variety shows featuring popular singers, and more. Created by co-artistic directors Rob Berman and Chase Brock, and hosted by television’s own Mo Rocca of CBS Sunday Morning.

Rodgers and Hart wrote some of the greatest tunes: "Where or When,” “My Romance,” “Manhattan,” “I’ve Got to Get Back to New York.” Hear these gems and more in 92 Y's revue "We'll Have Manhattan," starring Santino Fontana ("Tootsie," "Cinderella"), Lilli Cooper ("SpongeBob SquarePants," "Spring Awakening"), and more! Best of all, Show-Score members get a 20% discount on tickets!

Part of 92nd St. Y's "Lyrics and Lyricists" series.