![Jerome Kern, “The Dean” of the modern musical
A new Lyrics & Lyricists show opens tomorrow at 92Y: “The Song is You: Jerome Kern, Coast to Coast.” So a new cast is ready to take on our L&L Q&A series: jazz recording star Karrin Allyson, L&L favorite song and dance man Jeffrey Denman, Broadway’s longest-running “Phantom” Howard McGillin and bi-coastal cabaret celebrity Paula West.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook?Karrin Allyson: Today it might be “What a Wonderful World,” but who knows what it might be tomorrow? Jeffry Denman: “The Nearness of You”—music by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics by Ned Washington Howard McGillin: “All The Things You Are”—it’s just about the most perfect song ever written. I don’t get to sing it in these concerts, but it’s in Debby Boone’s very capable hands. “The Way You Look Tonight,” also by Jerome Kern, is also one of my all-time faves. Paula West: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, as sung by Mahalia Jackson.
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What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? Karrin: Bonnie Raitt! Jeffry: Chita Rivera and Sutton Foster Howard: I did a concert of Ragtime recently, and although I worked with Terrence McNally on Kiss Of The Spider Woman on Broadway, wouldn’t it be great if he and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty teamed up again? Now that would be worth getting excited about! Paula: It would be a dream to perform with Bob Dylan or Cécile McLorin Salvant.
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? Karrin: “Jolene” by Dolly Parton Jeffry: ‘70s progressive rock: early Genesis (not the Phil Collins Genesis of the ‘80s), Yes, etc Howard: Anything James Taylor. I’m a huge fan. Paula: I never feel guilty about what I listen to. In fact, I listen to “old school” R&B, funk, rock and country more than the Songbook. I love Marvin Gaye, Al Green, James Brown and Fringe.
What was your first professional gig? Karrin: At a restaurant called M’s Pub in Omaha Jeffry: I played Theo in Pippin at Reuben’s Backstage Dinner Theatre in Buffalo. I was 13 years old and making $27 a week—A FORTUNE!Howard: Sunday Mass at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. There was a folk mass every Sunday, and we were a tight little quartet of guitar, organ and two singers. We packed them in, and we had the wedding market in Santa Barbara sewn up for years! Paula: Singing in a Mexican restaurant in the Castro in San Francisco.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? Karrin: Some kind of environmental work, or possibly dealing with other languages somehow Jeffry: Either an architect or a comic book artist Howard: I’d teach. I also love carpentry; I love working with my hands and have done quite a bit of it. There’s something so satisfying about that kind of work. Paula: Something to do with the caring and rescuing of dogs.
What’s your favorite restaurant? Karrin: Any place that’s delicious and quiet. Jeffry: Thái Son Vietnamese Restaurant (89 Baxter St) in ChinatownHoward: Gabriel’s Bar & Restaurant (11 W 60th St.)—great food, location, ambience, and excellent service. Paula: Depends on the city: In New York: Bathazar (80 Spring St.), Cave Boulud (20 E 76th St.) and Shake Shack In San Francisco: Slanted Door (1 Ferry Bldg #3), Big 4 (Huntington Hotel) and Dottie’s True Blue Café (28 6th St.)
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Karrin: I don’t think I have just one! Jeffry: Who: John Lennon; Why: “Nowhere Man,” “Because,” “If I Fall”Howard: When I was a kid, it was Paul all the way. Now I see them as a great, once-in-a-lifetime group of musicians who came together at the perfect time to create some of our most iconic musical standards. Paula: John Lennon. He seemed to be the most artistic and political, although George Harrison would be a close second.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/902dc1072488c3ce06dafbf92cf3349c/tumblr_mm8jsy03qp1qzsl3do1_500.jpg "Jerome Kern, “The Dean” of the modern musical
A new Lyrics & Lyricists show opens tomorrow at 92Y: “The Song is You: Jerome Kern, Coast to Coast.” So a new cast is ready to take on our L&L Q&A series: jazz recording star Karrin Allyson, L&L favorite song and dance man Jeffrey Denman, Broadway’s longest-running “Phantom” Howard McGillin and bi-coastal cabaret celebrity Paula West.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook?Karrin Allyson: Today it might be “What a Wonderful World,” but who knows what it might be tomorrow? Jeffry Denman: “The Nearness of You”—music by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics by Ned Washington Howard McGillin: “All The Things You Are”—it’s just about the most perfect song ever written. I don’t get to sing it in these concerts, but it’s in Debby Boone’s very capable hands. “The Way You Look Tonight,” also by Jerome Kern, is also one of my all-time faves. Paula West: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, as sung by Mahalia Jackson.
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What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? Karrin: Bonnie Raitt! Jeffry: Chita Rivera and Sutton Foster Howard: I did a concert of Ragtime recently, and although I worked with Terrence McNally on Kiss Of The Spider Woman on Broadway, wouldn’t it be great if he and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty teamed up again? Now that would be worth getting excited about! Paula: It would be a dream to perform with Bob Dylan or Cécile McLorin Salvant.
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? Karrin: “Jolene” by Dolly Parton Jeffry: ‘70s progressive rock: early Genesis (not the Phil Collins Genesis of the ‘80s), Yes, etc Howard: Anything James Taylor. I’m a huge fan. Paula: I never feel guilty about what I listen to. In fact, I listen to “old school” R&B, funk, rock and country more than the Songbook. I love Marvin Gaye, Al Green, James Brown and Fringe.
What was your first professional gig? Karrin: At a restaurant called M’s Pub in Omaha Jeffry: I played Theo in Pippin at Reuben’s Backstage Dinner Theatre in Buffalo. I was 13 years old and making $27 a week—A FORTUNE!Howard: Sunday Mass at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. There was a folk mass every Sunday, and we were a tight little quartet of guitar, organ and two singers. We packed them in, and we had the wedding market in Santa Barbara sewn up for years! Paula: Singing in a Mexican restaurant in the Castro in San Francisco.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? Karrin: Some kind of environmental work, or possibly dealing with other languages somehow Jeffry: Either an architect or a comic book artist Howard: I’d teach. I also love carpentry; I love working with my hands and have done quite a bit of it. There’s something so satisfying about that kind of work. Paula: Something to do with the caring and rescuing of dogs.
What’s your favorite restaurant? Karrin: Any place that’s delicious and quiet. Jeffry: Thái Son Vietnamese Restaurant (89 Baxter St) in ChinatownHoward: Gabriel’s Bar & Restaurant (11 W 60th St.)—great food, location, ambience, and excellent service. Paula: Depends on the city: In New York: Bathazar (80 Spring St.), Cave Boulud (20 E 76th St.) and Shake Shack In San Francisco: Slanted Door (1 Ferry Bldg #3), Big 4 (Huntington Hotel) and Dottie’s True Blue Café (28 6th St.)
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Karrin: I don’t think I have just one! Jeffry: Who: John Lennon; Why: “Nowhere Man,” “Because,” “If I Fall”Howard: When I was a kid, it was Paul all the way. Now I see them as a great, once-in-a-lifetime group of musicians who came together at the perfect time to create some of our most iconic musical standards. Paula: John Lennon. He seemed to be the most artistic and political, although George Harrison would be a close second.")
Jerome Kern, “The Dean” of the modern musical
A new Lyrics & Lyricists show opens tomorrow at 92Y: “The Song is You: Jerome Kern, Coast to Coast.” So a new cast is ready to take on our L&L Q&A series: jazz recording star Karrin Allyson, L&L favorite song and dance man Jeffrey Denman, Broadway’s longest-running “Phantom” Howard McGillin and bi-coastal cabaret celebrity Paula West.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook?
Karrin Allyson: Today it might be “What a Wonderful World,” but who knows what it might be tomorrow?
Jeffry Denman: “The Nearness of You”—music by Hoagy Carmichael, lyrics by Ned Washington
Howard McGillin: “All The Things You Are”—it’s just about the most perfect song ever written. I don’t get to sing it in these concerts, but it’s in Debby Boone’s very capable hands. “The Way You Look Tonight,” also by Jerome Kern, is also one of my all-time faves.
Paula West: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, as sung by Mahalia Jackson.
![Next up in our Lyrics & Lyricists™ Q&A series is Matthew Scott! He’s making his L&L debut this weekend and has appeared on Broadway in “Sondheimon Sondheim,” “JerseyBoys,” “A Catered Affair,” and in the 2006 Actors Fund benefit performance of “The Best Little Whorehousein Texas.” As well, Matthew and his wife, Kirsten Scott, appeared in David Loud’s “Broadway Close Up: Lyricists Who Changed the World…of Musical Theatre” at Merkin Concert Hall last December.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? The most beautiful song ever written in my opinion is “All The Things You Are” by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II.
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What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? Oh there are too many to count!
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? Once for an audition I sang an ‘N Sync song. I’m not proud of it.
What was your first professional gig? Carousel at the Paper Mill Playhouse when I was 18.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? I would teach. Both my parents were wonderful teachers and I’ve always loved it.
What’s your favorite restaurant? A terrific little wine, cheese, and tapas place in Hell’s Kitchen called Casellula (401 W. 52nd St.).
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Paul. Duh! He’s still rocking out and sounds great. And he’s an amazing songwriter.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/64e4df7ddb215ffab8dcbdf6ce1bb63b/tumblr_mkqy2rOnxj1qzsl3do1_500.jpg "Next up in our Lyrics & Lyricists™ Q&A series is Matthew Scott! He’s making his L&L debut this weekend and has appeared on Broadway in “Sondheimon Sondheim,” “JerseyBoys,” “A Catered Affair,” and in the 2006 Actors Fund benefit performance of “The Best Little Whorehousein Texas.” As well, Matthew and his wife, Kirsten Scott, appeared in David Loud’s “Broadway Close Up: Lyricists Who Changed the World…of Musical Theatre” at Merkin Concert Hall last December.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? The most beautiful song ever written in my opinion is “All The Things You Are” by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II.
[[MORE]]
What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? Oh there are too many to count!
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? Once for an audition I sang an ‘N Sync song. I’m not proud of it.
What was your first professional gig? Carousel at the Paper Mill Playhouse when I was 18.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? I would teach. Both my parents were wonderful teachers and I’ve always loved it.
What’s your favorite restaurant? A terrific little wine, cheese, and tapas place in Hell’s Kitchen called Casellula (401 W. 52nd St.).
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Paul. Duh! He’s still rocking out and sounds great. And he’s an amazing songwriter.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.")
![Next up in our Lyrics & Lyricists™ Q&A series is Erin Mackey.
She makes her Lyrics & Lyricists debut on Apr 6 in “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke.” Most recently, she was seen on Broadway in “Chaplin: The Musical as Oona O’Neill.” She also appeared on Broadway in Roundabout Theatre’s “Anything Goes” as Hope Harcourt and in “Sondheim on Sondheim.” She made her Broadway debut as Glinda in “Wicked” after doing it in the Chicago and Los Angeles companies.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? I think “Over the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen and “The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein are just about perfect. I can listen to them over and over again and never get tired of them.
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What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? My friend and teacher, Victoria Clark. Her voice gives me chills and she’s a brilliant actress. She also is just a really funny and awesome person. We would have a blast performing together!
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? This is embarrassing, but I have to say something by A-Teens. If you don’t know them, look them up. It’s tween pop music to the max. I’m partial to “Halfway Around the World.”
What was your first professional gig? As a kid, my first professional job was in the remake of The Parent Trap as Lindsay Lohan’s double. I got to go on an adventure for six months and learn all about making movies. As an adult, my first professional theater job was in the ensemble on the first national tour of “Wicked.”
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? As a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut because I’m fascinated with space. I love to cook so being a chef would be amazing. Also, I’m in school at Hunter College right now, so I’ve been throwing around the idea of majoring in French or Nutrition, so something along those lines.
What’s your favorite restaurant? Quartino (626 N. State St.) in Chicago. It’s a wonderful Italian restaurant near the Loop that my husband and I frequented when we lived there.
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Ringo Starr, because how could you not like someone with a name like that?
Catch the final Q&A in this latest series, with Matthew Scott, tomorrow. Read past Q&A’s here.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/d778659740e52a0c5c3d56e9f6895bac/tumblr_mkn30rW9tB1qzsl3do1_500.jpg "Next up in our Lyrics & Lyricists™ Q&A series is Erin Mackey.
She makes her Lyrics & Lyricists debut on Apr 6 in “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke.” Most recently, she was seen on Broadway in “Chaplin: The Musical as Oona O’Neill.” She also appeared on Broadway in Roundabout Theatre’s “Anything Goes” as Hope Harcourt and in “Sondheim on Sondheim.” She made her Broadway debut as Glinda in “Wicked” after doing it in the Chicago and Los Angeles companies.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? I think “Over the Rainbow” by Harold Arlen and “The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein are just about perfect. I can listen to them over and over again and never get tired of them.
[[MORE]]
What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? My friend and teacher, Victoria Clark. Her voice gives me chills and she’s a brilliant actress. She also is just a really funny and awesome person. We would have a blast performing together!
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? This is embarrassing, but I have to say something by A-Teens. If you don’t know them, look them up. It’s tween pop music to the max. I’m partial to “Halfway Around the World.”
What was your first professional gig? As a kid, my first professional job was in the remake of The Parent Trap as Lindsay Lohan’s double. I got to go on an adventure for six months and learn all about making movies. As an adult, my first professional theater job was in the ensemble on the first national tour of “Wicked.”
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? As a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut because I’m fascinated with space. I love to cook so being a chef would be amazing. Also, I’m in school at Hunter College right now, so I’ve been throwing around the idea of majoring in French or Nutrition, so something along those lines.
What’s your favorite restaurant? Quartino (626 N. State St.) in Chicago. It’s a wonderful Italian restaurant near the Loop that my husband and I frequented when we lived there.
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Ringo Starr, because how could you not like someone with a name like that?
Catch the final Q&A in this latest series, with Matthew Scott, tomorrow. Read past Q&A’s here.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.")
![Meet the cast members of 92Y’s upcoming Lyrics & Lyricists™ show, “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke.”
Our second Q&A in this series is with Rebecca Luker. Ms. Luker was most recently seen in New York in the world premiere of Death Takes a Holiday at the Roundabout Theatre. She received Tony nominations for Mary Poppins, The Music Man and Show Boat.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? How does one choose??? If I have to choose one, it’s “All the Things You Are” by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II.
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What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? David Hyde Pierce, Nathan Lane, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews—oh, I could be here all day!
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop? “Killing in the Name of”—a kick-ass rock song by Rage Against The Machine.
What was your first professional gig? A singing waitress for MUSICANA productions in Florida. OY vey, was it hard.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? I’d be a family therapist and help crazy parents see how much they hurt their kids during divorce.
What’s your favorite restaurant? Geez! This is impossible! In New York, Prune on the Lower East Side (54 E 1st St, New York) is pretty great.
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Paul McCartney, for many reasons, not the least of which is his amazing talent. But I’ve met him on a number of occasions and he’s the sweetest man! By all reports, he’s a lovely person. Isn’t that great?
Stay tuned for Q&A’s with Erin Mackey and Matthew Scott.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/a87378237c3ea5ae9e312130f599b0d2/tumblr_mkfz8oaYrl1qzsl3do1_500.png "Meet the cast members of 92Y’s upcoming Lyrics & Lyricists™ show, “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke.”
Our second Q&A in this series is with Rebecca Luker. Ms. Luker was most recently seen in New York in the world premiere of Death Takes a Holiday at the Roundabout Theatre. She received Tony nominations for Mary Poppins, The Music Man and Show Boat.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? How does one choose??? If I have to choose one, it’s “All the Things You Are” by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II.
[[MORE]]
What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? David Hyde Pierce, Nathan Lane, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews—oh, I could be here all day!
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop? “Killing in the Name of”—a kick-ass rock song by Rage Against The Machine.
What was your first professional gig? A singing waitress for MUSICANA productions in Florida. OY vey, was it hard.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? I’d be a family therapist and help crazy parents see how much they hurt their kids during divorce.
What’s your favorite restaurant? Geez! This is impossible! In New York, Prune on the Lower East Side (54 E 1st St, New York) is pretty great.
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Paul McCartney, for many reasons, not the least of which is his amazing talent. But I’ve met him on a number of occasions and he’s the sweetest man! By all reports, he’s a lovely person. Isn’t that great?
Stay tuned for Q&A’s with Erin Mackey and Matthew Scott.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.")
![Meet the cast members of 92Y’s upcoming Lyrics & Lyricists™ show, “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke.”
Our first Q&A in this series is with Heidi Blickenstaff. This is her second appearance on L&L after 2011’s show on Burton Lane. She’s part of creative team of Tony-nominated Now. Hear. This. Most recently, Heidi played Alice Beineke in The Addams Family on Broadway, alongside Brooke Shields and Roger Rees.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? That’s an impossible question to answer definitively, but I love Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” I’m a sucker for the gut-punchers.
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What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? Every time I’m lucky enough to share the stage with Rebecca Luker, I feel like I won the life-lottery, but as long as I’m being greedy, I’d love to work with her husband, Danny Burstein, someday.
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? I’m currently obsessed with a song called “Brokenhearted” by Karmin. It’s kind of like immediately mood-altering. It’s super happy and funky and colorful and has an awesome beat. It’s a great walk-around-New-York kind of song. It’s a little bit of pop and a little bit of rap and a whole lot of awesome.
What was your first professional gig? I was about 7, and I did a radio ad that aired in Las Vegas for Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. I sang, “Circus, Circus! Breakfast, lunch and dinner! Circus, Circus! You go in hungry, come out a winner!” I was convinced I was a really big deal.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? I keep threatening to open a bakery… I also love fashion and dogs. Maybe I’ll have a store where you can rescue a dog while eating a scone as you browse through high–end garments. It’s high concept. Just go with me…
What’s your favorite restaurant? Another Sophie’s Choice question. Ridiculous… How about this, the best meal I’ve had in a long time would have to go to Blue Ribbon Bakery downtown (35 Downing St.). Their fried chicken is easily the best I’ve ever had. Great wine list too and gorgeous atmosphere.
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Paul. He’s still vibrant and curious and creating amazing music after all this time. He could just sit back and count his money, but he can’t help but still be the artist he is.
Stay tuned for Q&A’s with Rebecca Luker, Erin Mackey, and Matthew Scott.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/973da888772b02ad70ea0556f099221d/tumblr_mkfyjh3i2m1qzsl3do1_500.jpg "Meet the cast members of 92Y’s upcoming Lyrics & Lyricists™ show, “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke.”
Our first Q&A in this series is with Heidi Blickenstaff. This is her second appearance on L&L after 2011’s show on Burton Lane. She’s part of creative team of Tony-nominated Now. Hear. This. Most recently, Heidi played Alice Beineke in The Addams Family on Broadway, alongside Brooke Shields and Roger Rees.
What’s your favorite song from the American Songbook? That’s an impossible question to answer definitively, but I love Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” I’m a sucker for the gut-punchers.
[[MORE]]
What other artists would you like to perform with whom you haven’t yet? Every time I’m lucky enough to share the stage with Rebecca Luker, I feel like I won the life-lottery, but as long as I’m being greedy, I’d love to work with her husband, Danny Burstein, someday.
What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song beyond the American Songbook—rock, country, hiphop, etc? I’m currently obsessed with a song called “Brokenhearted” by Karmin. It’s kind of like immediately mood-altering. It’s super happy and funky and colorful and has an awesome beat. It’s a great walk-around-New-York kind of song. It’s a little bit of pop and a little bit of rap and a whole lot of awesome.
What was your first professional gig? I was about 7, and I did a radio ad that aired in Las Vegas for Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. I sang, “Circus, Circus! Breakfast, lunch and dinner! Circus, Circus! You go in hungry, come out a winner!” I was convinced I was a really big deal.
If you weren’t a performer, what would you do? I keep threatening to open a bakery… I also love fashion and dogs. Maybe I’ll have a store where you can rescue a dog while eating a scone as you browse through high–end garments. It’s high concept. Just go with me…
What’s your favorite restaurant? Another Sophie’s Choice question. Ridiculous… How about this, the best meal I’ve had in a long time would have to go to Blue Ribbon Bakery downtown (35 Downing St.). Their fried chicken is easily the best I’ve ever had. Great wine list too and gorgeous atmosphere.
Who’s your favorite Beatle, and why? Paul. He’s still vibrant and curious and creating amazing music after all this time. He could just sit back and count his money, but he can’t help but still be the artist he is.
Stay tuned for Q&A’s with Rebecca Luker, Erin Mackey, and Matthew Scott.
Lyrics & Lyricists “Taking a Chance on Love: The Music of Vernon Duke” starts on Apr 6.")
