Part of the Broadway Close Up series, the evening will be devoted to the early works and influence of one of Broadway’s legendary composers, Richard Rodgers. The 8:30 PM concert will explore Rodgers’ work with his first collaborator, Lorenz Hart, and will include tunes from their first major hit, 1926’s The Garrick Gaieties. Those taking part in the concert include Marni Nixon, Emily Loesser, Marie Johnson, Aaron Lazar and Ben Schrader. During his lifetime, Richard Rodgers penned over 900 songs. His partnerships with Lorenz Hart and later with Oscar Hammerstein II produced some of the most successful musicals in Broadway history. His works with Hart included On Your Toes, Babes in Arms, I Married an Angel, The Boys from Syracuse, Pal Joey and By Jupiter, and the Rodgers-Hammerstein collaboration spawned Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, Flower Drum Song and The Sound of Music.

Richard Rodgers: From the Start will be held at the Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center, which is located at 129 West 67th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues. Tickets are priced at $22 and are available by calling (212) 501-3330. Visit www.ekcc.org for more information.

In related news: The Broadway Close Up series will conclude May 12 with Bound for Broadway, featuring a preview of upcoming Broadway shows with performances by current stars.