The Boys from Syracuse - Center Stage

Richard Charles Rodgers(1902–1979)Rodgers graduated early fromColumbia University; by age 17 hewas collaborating professionallywith Lorenz Hart. For two decades,the two created some of thefinest musical comedies of theirtime. When Hart’s drinking madefurther collaboration impossible,Rodgers teamed up with OscarHammerstein II. Beginningwith the Pulitzer Prize-winningOklahoma! in 1943, together theymade the integrated musical playinto the world’s most popularform of commercial theater, usingsongs as dramatic tools to enhanceaction and character developmentin entirely new ways. With a careerspanning 60 years and more than50 musicals for stage and screen,Rodgers and his songs remain keyelements of the modern musicalvocabulary.Lorenz Hart(1895–1943)New York native Lorenz “Larry”Hart’s witty, intricate andsometimes cynical lyrics foundtheir perfect counterpoint in therich melodies of Richard Rodgers—his only professional songwritingpartner. Teaming up while studentsat Columbia University, Rodgersand Hart won attention with thehit song “Manhattan.” They wenton to write 29 stage musicalstogether, as well as contributingsongs to a dozen films. Unhappywith his appearance and unable toaccept his own homosexuality, Hartdrank himself to an early death, butlyrics to such gems as “My FunnyValentine,” “Blue Moon,” “Where orWhen,” and “Bewitched, Botheredand Bewildered” show him at hisbittersweet best.George Francis Abbott(1887–1995)Universally known as “Mr. Abbott,”this legend lasted more than acentury. His first success came asa playwright, but he went on tobecome a sought-after librettistfor musical comedy and one ofthe most successful directors andproducers in Broadway history. Hissignature was speed, but he alsointroduced such innovations asauditions for actors, and helpedpioneer the role of choreographyin musicals. His musical comedycareer began in 1935, co-directingfor Rodgers and Hart; the trioteamed up for three more hitshows: On Your Toes, The Boys FromSyracuse, and Pal Joey. When hedied, at 107, he had just helpedrevise and revive Damn Yankees forBroadway.Adapted from Who’s Who in Musicalsby John KenrickNext Stage: The Boys from Syracuse | 8