Sheldon Harnick () | Playbill

Sheldon Harnick

Performer

Mr. Harnick’s lyrics were characterized by their prosaic, humanity-rich quality. He favored story and character over cleverness. Always there was craft. Mr. Harnick’s verses could effortlessly express the hopes and fears of the characters without crossing over into sentimentality. This last aspect, however, was derived from exposure to Mr. Bock, according to the lyricist. “One of the things I need in a collaborator is a sense of optimism,” said Mr. Harnick, who had the bookish, bespectacled look of an accountant, “because I tend to approach things skeptically and pessimistically. Jerry Bock is a bubbling, ebullient personality.”

Read Full Obituary
  • Born: Apr 30, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Death: Jun 23, 2023 in New York, New York, USA

Roles (40)

Prince of Broadway Playbill - Opening Night Prince of Broadway
Opened August 24, 2017
  • Featuring material by
She Loves Me Playbill - Opening Night She Loves Me
Opened March 17, 2016
  • Lyrics
She Loves Me Playbill - Opening Night
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Opening Night Fiddler on the Roof
Opened December 20, 2015
  • Lyrics
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Opening Night
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 She Loves Me
Opened December 05, 2011
  • Lyrics
The Apple Tree Playbill - Opening Night The Apple Tree
Opened December 14, 2006
  • Book
  • Music
  • Lyrics
The Apple Tree Playbill - Opening Night
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 A Wonderful Life
Opened December 12, 2005
  • Book
  • Lyrics
Barbara Cook's Broadway Playbill - Opening Night, March 2004 Barbara Cook's Broadway!
Opened March 28, 2004
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Opening Night Fiddler on the Roof
Opened February 26, 2004
  • Lyrics
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Opening Night
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 Back from Broadway
Opened June 17, 2002
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics
Mostly Sondheim Playbill - Opening Night, Jan 2002 Mostly Sondheim
Opened January 14, 2002
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics
Cyrano the Musical Playbill - Opening Night, Nov 1993 Cyrano - The Musical
Opened November 21, 1993
  • Additional Lyrics
She Loves Me Playbill - Opening Night, June 1993 She Loves Me
Opened June 10, 1993
  • Lyrics
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Opening Night, Dec 1990 Fiddler on the Roof
Opened November 18, 1990
  • Lyrics
Jerome Robbins Broadway Playbill - Opening Night Jerome Robbins' Broadway
Opened February 26, 1989
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics ("Fiddler on the Roof")
Barbara Cook A Concert for Theatre Playbill - Opening Night, April 97 Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre
Opened April 15, 1987
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - August 1981 Fiddler on the Roof
Opened July 09, 1981
  • Lyrics
The Madwoman of Central Park West Showbill - Opening Night, June 1979 The Madwoman of Central Park West
Opened June 13, 1979
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Feb 1977 Fiddler on the Roof
Opened December 28, 1976
  • Lyrics
Rex Playbill - April 1976 Rex
Opened April 25, 1976
  • Lyrics
Sondheim: A Musical Tribute Playbill - March 1973 Sondheim: A Musical Tribute
Opened March 11, 1973
  • as Special Guest (Original)
The Rothschilds Playbill - Oct 1970 The Rothschilds
Opened October 19, 1970
  • Lyrics
The Apple Tree Playbill - Opening Night, Oct 1966 The Apple Tree
Opened October 18, 1966
  • Book
  • Lyrics
Baker Street Playbill - Opening Night, Feb 1965 Baker Street
Opened February 16, 1965
  • The songs "Buffalo Belle," "Cold Clear World of the Intellect" and "I Shall Miss You Holmes"
Fiddler on the Roof Playbill - Sept 1964 Fiddler on the Roof
Opened September 22, 1964
  • Lyrics
She Loves Me Playbill - Jan 1964 She Loves Me
Opened April 23, 1963
  • Lyrics
She Loves Me Playbill - Jan 1964
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 Man in the Moon
Opened April 11, 1963
  • Lyrics
Never Too Late Playbill - Opening Night, Nov 1962 Never Too Late
Opened November 27, 1962
  • Lyrics for "Never Too Late Cha-Cha"
Tenderloin Playbill - Jan 1961 Tenderloin
Opened October 17, 1960
  • Lyrics
Vintage '60 Playbill - Sept 1960 Vintage '60
Opened September 12, 1960
  • Additional Material
Fiorello! Playbill - Aug 1960 Fiorello!
Opened November 23, 1959
  • Lyrics
Fiorello! Playbill - Aug 1960
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 Portofino
Opened February 21, 1958
  • Lyrics
The Body Beautiful Playbill - Feb 1958 The Body Beautiful
Opened January 23, 1958
  • Lyrics
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 The Littlest Revue
Opened May 22, 1956
  • Additional music and lyrics
Two's Company Playbill - Dec 1952 Two's Company
Opened December 15, 1952
  • Featured Songs
New Faces of 1952 Playbill - June 1952 Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952
Opened May 16, 1952
  • Featured Songs
  • Featured Songs with Lyrics

Awards

Drama Desk Award
2016 Special Award Winner
Drama League
2016 Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Winner
New York Drama Critics' Circle
1965 Best Musical Winner
1960 Best Musical Winner
Pulitzer Prize
1960 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Winner
Tony Award
2016 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
1994 Best Original Score Nominee
1971 Lyrics (Musical) Nominee
1967 Composer and Lyricist Nominee
1965 Composer and Lyricist Winner
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