The 1959 Broadway Songbook

Music Director ALEX RYBECK Directed by SARA LOUISE LAZARUS Bass TOM HUBBARD Drums DAN GROSS Critic’s Choice - “Superb” - THE NEW YORK TIMES “Extraordinary” – NEW YORK DAILY NEWS “The best cabaret act in town!” - REX REED “A Hit!” – CHICAGO TRIBUNE “Harnar’s ‘Broadway Songbook’ something to sing about.” – DALLAS MORNING NEWS “Top Five” Critic’s Choice – THE TIMES, LONDON THE 1959 BROADWAY SONGBOOK is a musical collage of the 21 musicals that were playing in New York in 1959. “Gypsy,” “The Sound of Music,” “Fiorello,” “West Side Story,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Music Man,” “Flower Drum Song,” “Bells are Ringing,” & “Once Upon a Mattress” are among the shows is this tribute to an era some have called the twilight of The Golden Age of Broadway. Songwriters represented include Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburgh, Leonard Bernstein, Comden & Green and Lerner & Loewe. Over 40 songs are woven together including “Tonight,” “On The Street Where You Live,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Til There Was You,” “The Party’s Over,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” in a show that also pays homage to the very structure of a Broadway Musical, including an “Overture,” “Entr’Acte” and an “Intermission,” the latter featuring a humorous nod to pop and Hollywood music and current events of 1959. JEFF HARNAR first performed “The 1959 Broadway Songbook” as a one-man show for his 1991 debut at The Algonquin Hotel’s fabled Oak Room. The show was recorded live (Original Cast Records) and televised (PBS) and has toured nationally, including major engagements in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Beach and London. “a most delightful time machine at the center of it is a performer who possesses charm, grace, sophistication and a charismatic connection to the audience. Harnar is polished to perfection and most of all, he is full of joy a certified winner.” – THEATER PIZZAZZ “a jewel of a showa sparkling treasure of musical gems presented by Harnar, a warm baritone with the gift of musicality, tenderness and wit It sparkles, it glitters, it touches the heart and, even more, The 1959 Broadway Songbook celebrates the gift of songs America has given the world.” – CABARET SCENES “Jeff Harnar’s voice and witty delivery enhance his choice of music to perfection.” – ELAINE PAGE “Dear Jeff, Thank you so much for the 1959 Broadway Songbook – it’s wonderful! I’d love to see 1960, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 coming out of your talented mouth.” – JOAN RIVERS Jeff Harnar is a multi-award-winning cabaret, concert and recording artist. His Carnegie Hall appearances include both the Cole Porter and Noel Coward Centennial Galas. His PBS televised concerts include The 1959 Broadway Songbook with Alex Rybeck, and both American Songbook Live from NJPAC: Stephen Sondheim and Remember: Songs of the Holidays with KT Sullivan. His most recent recordings are this year’s JEFF HARNAR sings SAMMY CAHN The Second Time Around and the two MAC Award winning albums A COLLECTIVE CY (2023) and I KNOW THINGS NOW: My Life in Sondheim’s Words (2022), all from PS Classics. Jeff is also a Broadway World, MAC and Bistro Award winning Director. Please visit www.JeffHarnar.com