Music historian, archivist and performer Michael Feinstein appears in his personal archive to showcase The Wizard of Oz and the creators of its score, Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen in this episode of his new web series “Conversations and Music,” presented by Broadwayworld.com.
Category Archives: Featured
“OVER THE RAINBOW” spreads hope – again
Although California’s annual Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Choral Festival—originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18—had been cancelled, the Chino Hills HS Chamber Singers demonstrated resilience by recording their individual a cappella portion of Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen’s classic “Over the Rainbow” in their separate homes, and through technology were able to appear together as a family again. Their harmonious performance was shared online for the CVUSD community with the goal of spreading hope and cheer during this difficult time. Even after 80+ years, it’s the song people sing in times of trouble.
NEW PODCAST ABOUT YIP
In Episode 48 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg speaks with Yip’s son Ernie Harburg, co-author of Who Put the Rainbow in The Wizard of Oz? Yip Harburg, Lyricist, and Deena Rosenberg-Harburg, Yip’s daughter-in-law and author of Fascinating Rhythm: The Collaboration of George and Ira Gershwin. The interview was conducted on Feb. 22, 2020.
THE ART OF COMEDY
New, Unique, FREE Workshop
Starts Feb. 18, 2020
The Yip Harburg* Lyrics Foundation offers a FREE workshop, THE ART OF COMEDY (Commedia dell’arte), taught by award-winning actor, director and designer Mark Marcante.
It will begin with Commedia dell’Arte (The Art of Comedy) that started in Italy in the 1500’s and go through the centuries to today, 2020. We will touch on and act characters from Commedia, learn the “Plate” method of performing on stage, plus pantomime, clowning, mask work and more while exploring the politics and social issues of the world today. This class is not only for the acting student, but for anyone who wishes to develop a better social awareness, communication skills and interpersonal skills. Celebrated guest teachers will include specialists John Grimaldi (juggling) Stanley Allen Sherman (masks) and Crystal Field (political theater). The workshop will culminate in a presentation of participants’ work created during the term.
To be part of this Unique, Free Workshop, contact Deena Harburg, Executive & Artistic Director, Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation ASAP at deena@yipharburg.com.
PLACES ARE LIMITED
Join us for a Rare, One-of-a-Kind Experience!
Dates: Feb. 18, 2020 – May 12, 2020.
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Place: Theater for the New City: 155 First Ave., NYC 10003
* Yip Harburg, a brilliant songwriter known as Broadway’s social conscience, wrote all the lyrics to the film The Wizard of Oz (“Over the Rainbow,” etc.) and the classic stage musical Finian’s Rainbow,among many others
Harlem Repertory Theatre Does the Wizard of Oz Featured on New York Live TV!!
Check out this NBC segment that aired 8/27/19 about our Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages, a unique 21st century take!
YIP HARBURG: FORGOTTEN LYRICIST
YouTube’s “History Guy” posted a segment about Yip Harburg on July 12, 2019 entitled “Yip Harburg: Forgotten Lyricist.”
“OVER THE RAINBOW” in oscar-winning new film
“Over the Rainbow” by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen from The Wizard of Oz (1939) is featured in the motion picture, Judy, starring Renee Zellwegger who won the Beat Actress Oscar of 2019 for her performance as Judy Garland, the beloved star who introduced the classic song. Zellwegger sings part of the song in this trailer.
JAMAICA at Harlem Repertory Theatre
The Harlem Repertory Theatre presents Jamaica, the musical show in which Lena Horne made her Broadway debut in 1957. Featuring a book by Yip Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg and music by Harold Arlen, this production is directed and choreographed by Keith Lee Grant with a book adaptation by Art Perlman. Running at the Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 E. 123rd St., NYC and continuing until Jan. 11, 2020.
THE WIZARD OF OZ: A JAZZ MUSICAL FOR ALL AGES at Harlem Rep
The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages, a new stage adaptation by Deena R. Harburg and Arthur Perlman of the beloved classic film, has been extended to June 2020 at the Harlem Repertory Theatre where it has been running since 2016 to enthusiastic response. See the reviews at NiteLife Exchange, Stage Buddy, The Broadway Blog, Huffington Post and Times Square Chronicles.
DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CAUTIONS, HARLEM REP HAS CANCELLED ALL SHOWS UNTIL SATURDAY MAY 2, 2020 WHEN “THE WIZARD OF OZ” WILL RESUME REGULAR PERFORMANCES.
The Man That Got Away: The Life & Songs of Harold Arlen
Walter Rimler’s biography of Harold Arlen, The Man That Got Away: The Life and Songs of Harold Arlen, was published by University of Illinois Press in August 2015. The book contains extensive material about Yip Harburg, who, over a span of nearly fifty years, wrote more than 100 songs with Arlen , including “Over the Rainbow” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon.”