Lecture Series – The Great American Songbook: What Makes it Great? Broadway in the 1940s & 50s: A Golden Age of Lasting Impact

@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@ *Buy a subscription with tickets to all four lectures, or add Tyler Driskill’s Hooray for Hollywood concert for all 5 events, and get 10% off the total cost of individual tickets for each event! Brent Wagner, Host Tyler Driskill, Pianist with singers from the University of Michigan Musical Department Kerrytown Concert House is delighted to welcome back its popular lecture series, The Great American Songbook: What Makes it Great?, now in its third season. Host Brent Wagner, University of Michigan Emeritus Professor of Musical Theatre, leads the exploration, while pianist Tyler Driskill, U-M Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, brings the music to life at the Steinway — joined by guest singers from the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department. About the Series Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington — these extraordinary songwriters produced so many enduring standards in the early twentieth century that their combined body of work has come to be known as “The Great American Songbook.” Recorded countless times by pop singers, jazz artists, dance bands, and even opera singers, these songs continue to be discovered and rediscovered by new generations of performers, who find fresh depth and artistry in these mini-masterpieces. But why have these songs lasted so long? What exactly makes them “great”? Brent Wagner explores the repertoire, illuminating and demonstrating the qualities that have given these songs their enduring, rewarding legacy. About Broadway in the 1940s & 50s: Oklahoma! was the Hamilton of its day, according to a 2018 New York Times article. However, many historians might call that an understatement. Bursting upon the Broadway stage in 1943, Oklahoma transformed the entire world of musical theatre. It ushered in a ‘golden age’ of new musicals by incorporating plot-driven music and lyrics; revolutionary choreography that explored a character’s subconscious; and nuanced storytelling that brought depth to the characters. Beyond these innovations, Oklahoma! was the first Broadway production to record an album with the original cast and orchestra, permanently changing the way musicals were marketed and experienced beyond the stage. Ticket sales exploded and musicals of the 1940s and 50s became a way of life, produced worldwide for decades to come: Carousel, The King and I, Annie Get your Gun, Kiss Me, Kate, South Pacific, The Music Man, West Side Story, Brigadoon, Gypsy, Damn Yankees — the list goes on. The original cast album of My Fair Lady spent an astonishing 480 weeks on the Billboard chart. Musicals became TV events (Cinderella with Julie Andrews was seen by 107 million people), Hollywood films, and seemingly endless national tours. Join us tonight for a fascinating look at this monumental era of unparalleled artistic innovation and extraordinary commercial success. You shared and we listened! Tickets for this series sell fast and are very popular, but now, you can get your tickets early AND pick your seats in advance! This year’s lecture series tickets will no longer be general admission, but reserved ticket seating. In-Person Ticket Pricing: Tier 1: $35 (*Student/Youth $25) Tier 2: $30 (*Student/Youth $20) Tier 3: $25 (*Student/Youth $15) Livestream Ticket Pricing: Livestream Access Ticket: $15 Events in the 2026-27 Great American Songbook: What Makes It Great? Series Lecture – Gershwin Edition: Friday, November 6th, 2026 at 7:30 PM Lecture – Broadway and Hollywood in the 1930s: Sunday, November 8th, 2026, at 4:00 pm Lecture – Broadway in the 1940s & 50s: A Golden Age of Lasting Impact: Friday, February 26th, 2027 at 7:30 PM Lecture – Broadway in the 1960s: Classic Musicals Among Social Upheaval: Sunday, February 28th, 2027 at 4:00 pm Companion Concert – Title TBD with Tyler Driskill & Friends: Tuesday, March 2nd, 2027 at 7:30 PM Artists: