The eclectic range of songwriting in American popular music, past and present, is the focus of Lincoln Center's award-winning American Songbook series. Performances for the April concerts are at the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, 165 W. 65 St., 10th floor, between Broadway and Amsterdam in Manhattan.

McDonald hosts the evenings. She is no stranger to the work of Ahrens and Flaherty, having won a Tony Award or their musical Ragtime. She's also sung songs by Ahrens, Flaherty and Guettel on her albums and in concert.

The Ahrens and Flaherty performances (with the writers performing) feature songs from Once On This Island, Ragtime, A Man of No Importance and more, with Broadway performers Judy Blazer, Eric Jordan Young and LaChanze, 8 & 10 PM April 2.

Stew is an L.A.-based singer-songwriter best known for the band he fronts, The Negro Problem. He'll perform selections from his two solo albums, "Guest Host" and the internationally-acclaimed "Naked Dutch Painter," 8 & 10 PM April 3.

Guettel, grandson of Richard Rodgers and song of Mary Rodgers, co-wrote the Off-Broadway musical, Floyd Collins, the oratorio Saturn Returns and is preparing the world premiere of The Light in the Piazza. He performs 8 & 10 PM April 4. His guests will be announced later. Tickets to the American Songbook concerts in April are $45 (8 PM) and $30 (10 PM) and can be reserved by calling CenterCharge at (212) 721-6500, or by visiting online at www.lincolncenter.org.