100th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hart’s “Manhattan” 

By Celia Ipiotis

On Monday, May 19 Scott Perrin hosted a private musical salon in his legendary residence to celebrate the100th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hart’s “Manhattan” & 35th Anniversary of Rodgers and Hart Revue at Rainbow & Stars. 

Twin baby grands held center stage in producer Perrin’s pre-war apartment fondly known as “54 Above.” A frieze of Broadway posters ribboned across the top of the room while guests meandered from the cocktail bar to comfortable couches. Besides the sheer enjoyment of gathering dear colleagues and friends, the music filled the room as a reminder that the beloved revue produced enduring classics forging the great American songbook like  Manhattan (sung with glee and harmony during the soiree) Sentimental, Me; April Fool; Do you love Me (I Wonder); Old Fashioned Gal; Three Musketeers; and On With the Dance. 

In fact, to add to the historical mystique, Perrin and his parents (orchestra leader Forrest Perrin and comedy writer Lesley Davison) used the same living room to welcome everyone from Barbra Streisand, Elaine Stritch, and Michael Feinstein to Harry Rigby, Julie Wilson, and The Flying Karamazov Brothers–I can just imagine the Karamozov Brothers juggling martini glasses while simultaneously singing and forming a kick line.

Not unexpectedly, the night featured delicious music performed primarily by Ted Firth and Billy Stritch (with an assist by Ted Rosenthal) and a song or two by the fabulous American Songbook  vocalist Marilyn Maye. Having arrived at the party from her teaching gig, Maye noted It’s less about technique and more about interpretation, about feelings: Great singers are compelling storytellers.

Naturally, this grand evening ended on a sweet note, when Perrin cut into a marzipan covered chocolate cake replicating his twin baby grands and everyone left humming “Manhattan”. Bravo.

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Celia Ipiotis