“Perhaps the most influential lyricist and librettist of the American theater.”—PBS
“Above all, Oscar . . . taught me virtually everything I know about songwriting and a good deal about life.”—Stephen Sondheim
The life and music of legendary lyricist, librettist, and theatrical producer Oscar Hammerstein II take center stage in The Hammersteins: A Musical Theatre Family, an intimate retrospective at Hodgson Concert Hall Friday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Starring a quartet of Broadway singers and hosted by grandson Oscar Andy Hammerstein III, the performance features songs from Hammerstein’s most significant creative triumphs — Show Boat, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music — and lesser-known gems.
From “The Carousel Waltz” to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” with “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “My Favorite Things” along the way, this is an unforgettable evening of musical theatre favorites.
The cast includes Michelle Liu Coughlin, who toured with Lincoln Center’s The King and I, directed by Bartlett Sher, playing Lady Thiang and Tuptim. She starred in the 50th Anniversary west coast premiere of Flower Drum Song and The Kennedy Center’s Barrio Grrrl! Her screen credits include FBI, New Amsterdam, Madam Secretary, The OA, and Instinct, among many others.
Ali Ewoldt has appeared as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Cosette in Les Miserables (Broadway, national tour), The King and I (Broadway, Lyric Opera of Chicago), and Maria in West Side Story (national tour, international tour). Her concert work includes performances at Alice Tully Hall, the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, Houston Symphony, Kaohsiung Symphony and The Boston Pops.
Nicholas Rodriguez recently completed the national tour of The Sound of Music, directed by Jack O’Brien, playing Captain Georg von Trapp. Rodriguez starred on Broadway in Tarzan and at Carnegie Hall in Guys and Dolls. He has sung with symphony orchestras throughout North America and has also starred in national tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Hair. He appeared in Sex in the City II and is also on the soundtrack. His television credits include Madam Secretary and Nick Chavez on ABC’s One Life to Live.
Alan H. Green has appeared on Broadway in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School of Rock, Sister Act, and Play On! His recent regional roles include The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation/5th Ave Seattle, The Karate Kid/Stages St Louis, A.D. 16/Olney Theater. TV appearances include Almost Family, Unforgettable, Murphy Brown, 30 Rock, Law & Order SVU, and Peter Pan Live!
Pianist Laura Bergquist has served as musical director and conductor of the Broadway show Allegiance: A New Musical starring George Takei and Lea Salonga and the Off-Broadway show Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. Her national tours include The King And I, Titanic, Miss Saigon, Camelot, The Music Man, and My Fair Lady.
Oscar Andy Hammerstein III has appeared a number of times with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as a host. He is a published author, lecturer, painter, and family historian, and has devoted much of his life to studying and preserving his family’s heritage and contribution to American culture. He has also hosted with symphony orchestras throughout North America.
This performance is supported by Carol and Paul Kurtz. There is a free pre-performance talk in Ramsey Concert Hall at 6:45 pm by Oscar Andy Hammerstein III.
Free shuttle transportation to this performance is available for Clarke County seniors, thanks to a partnership between the Performing Arts Center and the Athens Community Council on Aging. For more information, call (706) 542-4400.
For a complete list of UGA Presents performances, click here.
Three Ways to Order Tickets
- Purchase tickets online 24/7 online here.
- Call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5 minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)