The season will open Jan. 7-9, 2012, with Makin' Whoopee: Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn and the Jazz Age. Robert Kimball will host the event.
"Donaldson & Kahn were a songwriting powerhouse in the ‘20s and ‘30s," according to press notes. "When they paired up, the hits poured out: 'Yes Sir, That's My Baby,' 'Love Me or Leave Me,' 'Makin’ Whoopee' and dozens more. Kimball honors the men who gave the Roaring Twenties its soundtrack with vintage big band Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks providing authentic sizzling-‘20s arrangements."
Songs of America: From Stephen Foster to Bob Dylan and Beyond will be hosted by Tony Award winner Ted Sperling and will run Feb. 11-13, 2012.
"The American Songbook has always sung America’s praises. But it has also sung America’s pain, and folly and foolishness. Sperling explores the full spectrum of songs about America, from buoyant to bellicose, reaching back to Foster and forward to Dylan, giving new meaning to the 'traditional American song.'"
In Perfect Harmony: Celebrating the Vocal Group will be presented March 24-26, 2012, with Rob Fisher. "From the Boswell Sisters to the Modernaires to the Beach Boys, vocal groups have been an influential force on the American Songbook. Fisher and his acclaimed guests – including the DiGiallonardo Sisters and New York Voices - conjure the hip sounds and tight harmonies that took pop standards to new horizons."
Mad Dogs & Educated Fleas: Noël & Cole, A Battle of Wits, will be hosted by Mark Waldrop, May 5-7, 2012.
"Noël Coward and Cole Porter were the 20th century’s masters of wordplay. Each peppered his lyrics with topical zingers, wicked double entendres and scintillating rhymes. Their wit was sharp enough to provoke guffaws—or draw blood. Director/lyricist Waldrop referees the verbal fencing."
The final offering will be It's Magic: 90 Years of Songs from Warner Bros., presented June 2-4, 2012, with Rex Reed.
"With 'The Jazz Singer' and the words 'You aint' heard nothin' yet' Warner Bros. invented the movie musical. Reed celebrates the studio that for decades, churned out hits like "42nd Street," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "A Star is Born" and "My Fair Lady."
Subscriptions are now on sale. Single ticket sales begin in August. For tickets phone (212) 415-5500 or visit 92Y.org/Lyrics.
