Chenoweth, Fierstein, James, Mayes and More Celebrate Bock's 80th Birthday May 18

By Andrew Gans
May 18, 2008

Encompass New Opera Theatre celebrates 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 Sally Mayes, Ron Raines, Neva Small, Brad Oscar and KT Sullivan. Phyllis Newman and Harnick will also share reminiscences during the celebratory evening.

  The repertoire for the evening follows:
Harvey Feirstein singing "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler
Kristen Chenowith singing "What Makes Me Love Him?" from The Apple Tree
KT Sullivan singing "Dear Friend" from She Loves Me
Ron Raines singing "In My Own Lifetime" from The Rothschilds
Sally Mayes singing "A Trip to the Library" from She Loves Me
Neva Small singing a medley from Fiddler on the Roof
Sheldon Harnick singing "The Butchers Solo," which was cut from Fiddler on the Roof
Brad Oscar singing "Blonde Blues" from The Body Beautiful
The Encompass Singers (Justin Vickers, Christopher Vettel, Jody Sheinbaum, Douglas Jabara, Nita Baxani, Nadine Carey, Maeve Hoglund, Matthew Pena and Darcy Dunn with Norman Carey at the piano) singing "Til Tomorrow" from Fiorello!

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."