Chenoweth, Fierstein, James, Mayes and More Will Celebrate Bock's 80th Birthday in May

By Andrew Gans
21 Apr 2008

Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Encompass New Opera Theatre will celebrate the 80th birthday of Tony Award-winning composer Jerry Bock — best known for penning the scores (with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick) to such musicals as Fiddler on the Roof, Fiorello! and She Loves Me — May 18 at the National Arts Club in Manhattan.

Among those scheduled to perform in the Gala Musical Salute are Tony Award winners Kristin Chenoweth and Harvey Fierstein as well as Brian d'Arcy James, Sally Mayes, Ron Raines, Neva Small and KT Sullivan. Phyllis Newman and Harnick will also share reminiscences during the celebratory evening.

All of the performers will offer classic Bock Tunes, including A Catered Affair's Fierstein, who will sing "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof.

The evening will begin at 6 PM with cocktails, followed by the 7 PM performance with birthday cake and a champagne reception at 8 PM.

Encompass has previously honored Jerry Herman, Sheldon Harnick, John Kander and Charles Strouse.

Jerry Bock penned music and/or lyrics for Mr. Wonderful, The Body Beautiful, Fiorello!, Tenderloin, Never Too Late, Man in the Moon, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, Baker Street, Generation, The Apple Tree, The Rothschilds and The Madwoman of Central Park West. He won Tony Awards for Fiddler on the Roof (Best Composer and Lyricist; Best Musical) and Fiorello! (Best Musical). The latter also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The National Arts Club is located in Manhattan at 15 Gramercy Park South. Tickets, priced $275, are available by calling (718) 398-4675 or by emailing encompassopera@yahoo.com.

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Encompass New Opera Theatre is dedicated to "the creation, development and production of contemporary opera and new music theatre, as well as the revival of important musical works from the 20th Century by American and international composers."