William Hammerstein and singer Doreen Taylor will host An Enchanted Evening: A Night with Oscar Hammerstein II in Bristol, Pennsylvania, August 24 as a fundraiser to help save and preserve Highland Farm. The Doylestown, Pennsylvania, house is where the lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II wrote some of his best known Broadway musicals, and where he mentored young neighbor Stephen Sondheim.
Taylor and baritone Keith Spender will perform at the event, backed by the Hammerstein Orchestra (comprised of Philadelphia area professional musicians), which traces the lyricist’s life and career through “private, personal stories, never before seen images and an in-depth glimpse into the life of Oscar Hammerstein.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward a fund to transform Highland Farm into the Oscar Hammerstein II Museum & Theatre Education Center. Hammerstein (1895-1960) wrote lyrics (and sometimes the books) to musicals with music by Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern, and others. Among his landmark hits are The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma!, and The Sound of Music.
Taylor told Playbill, “I grew up performing in many of the great shows that Oscar Hammerstein II helped create and I have always been very fond of his work. In March, I happened to meet Will and Mandee Hammerstein (and Oscar IV!!) at a music video premiere party I hosted for my single ‘Unstoppable’ in Philadelphia. We really hit it off and I learned about how Highland Farm's future was being threatened and I immediately offered to step up and help. It seemed like a no-brainer for me to lend my talents to the cause in the best way I could—through music and performing. I created this show from a very special place in my heart and as a labor of love. I honor Oscar and will always be grateful for forever changing the landscape of musical theatre history and being able to help save this legendary landmark is a great honor for me.”
Click here to order the $35 tickets to the event, which will take place at the nearby Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Read: HAMMERSTEIN GRANDSON SAYS HIGHLAND FARM IS NOT FOR SALE