Broadway Close Up Fall 2020

Kaufman Music Center’s Broadway Close Up series moves online this fall with three intimate lecture-concerts exploring the lives, careers and music of three of musical theater’s most fascinating figures: Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960), Dorothy Fields (1904-1974) and Stephen Schwartz (b. 1948). Their stories bring to life the rich history of the American musical and its evolution from comedy revues to sophisticated, fully-realized musical plays.

Hosted by Theater@Kaufman Director Sean Hartley and filmed in Merkin Hall, these one-hour performances pair lively and informative lectures with performances of songs from iconic musicals from the 1920s to the present including Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Carousel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Wicked and many more. Cast members are Broadway stars Clifton Duncan (The Play That Goes Wrong) and Nikki Renée Daniels (Company, Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Porgy and Bess) and the acclaimed jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli, who the New York Times compares to “Ella Fitzgerald in her prime.” Music directed by Greg Jarrett. And, host Sean Hartley will answer questions submitted by audience members at live post-concert Q&As. 

Performances are at 7:00pm on Monday, October 26; Monday November 16; and Monday, December 7. Tickets are available for purchase for $15 for individual performances or $40 for a 3-concert subscription. Ticket buyers will be able to watch this performance on demand for 48 hours following the stream date. Click here to purchase tickets.

Photo credit: Kaufman Music Center