The Broadway Close Up series, which presents "an inside look at the world of musical theatre," will comprise three evenings: Jones & Schmidt, Maltby & Shire and Bound for Broadway. The season will kick off Oct. 6 at 8 PM with a tribute to the work of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, who are best known for their record-breaking Off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks. The evening at Merkin Concert Hall will feature lyricist Jones and host Sean Hartley as well as several performers to be announced at a later date.
The work of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire, whose musicals include Baby, Big and Taking Flight, will be examined Nov. 3 at 8 PM. Both Maltby and Shire will be on hand for their evening, which will also feature the duo's favorite singers.
The Broadway Close Up series will conclude Dec. 8 with the annual Bound for Broadway concert. Liz Callaway will again host the evening, which will feature songs from five new musicals and interviews with the writers of these new shows.
A three-concert subscription is priced $85; single tickets are $40. Visit www.merkinconcerthall.org for more information.
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The Family Matinees series — "a family-friendly tour through the world of musical theatre" — will feature mornings devoted to the work of Frank Loesser (Jan. 11, 2009 at 11 AM), Jerry Herman (Feb. 1, 2009 at 11 AM) and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (April 5, 2009 at 11 AM).
