Birth Place: USA
Sheldon Harnick is a legendary lyricist and composer who has made an indelible mark on Broadway. Born in Chicago in 1924, Harnick began writing songs at a young age, and went on to attend the Northwestern University School of Music. After serving in World War II, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical theater.
Harnick's first Broadway credit came in 1955, when he wrote the lyrics for the musical "The Body Beautiful." However, it was his collaboration with composer Jerry Bock that would prove to be his most successful partnership. The duo first worked together on the 1957 musical "The Body Beautiful," but it was their next project that would cement their place in Broadway history.
In 1960, Harnick and Bock's musical "Fiorello!" premiered on Broadway. The show, which told the story of New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, was a critical and commercial success, winning both the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show's hit song, "Little Tin Box," became an instant classic.
Harnick and Bock went on to collaborate on several more successful musicals, including "She Loves Me" (1963), "Fiddler on the Roof" (1964), and "The Rothschilds" (1970). "Fiddler on the Roof" in particular became a cultural phenomenon, running for over 3,000 performances on Broadway and spawning numerous revivals and adaptations. The show's iconic songs, such as "Tradition," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," and "Sunrise, Sunset," are still beloved by audiences today.
In addition to his work with Bock, Harnick has also collaborated with other composers throughout his career. He wrote the lyrics for the musical "Tenderloin" with composer Jerry Ross in 1960, and worked with Richard Rodgers on the musical "Rex" in 1976.
Harnick's contributions to musical theater have not gone unnoticed. He has won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical for "Fiorello!" and "Fiddler on the Roof," as well as Best Original Score for "Fiorello!" and Best Book of a Musical for "She Loves Me." In 2016, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award for his contributions to the theater.
Outside of his work in musical theater, Harnick has also written songs for television and film. He wrote the theme song for the popular TV show "Car 54, Where Are You?" and contributed songs to the animated film "The Point!" In addition, he has worked as a translator and adapter for several operas, including "The Merry Widow" and "The Mikado."
Harnick's most recent work includes the 2016 Off-Broadway musical "Rothschild & Sons," a revised version of "The Rothschilds" that he wrote with composer Jerry Bock shortly before Bock's death in 2010. The show received positive reviews and was nominated for several Drama Desk Awards.
Throughout his career, Sheldon Harnick has proven himself to be one of the most talented and versatile lyricists in the history of musical theater. His contributions to the art form have left an indelible mark on Broadway, and his songs continue to be beloved by audiences around the world.
From: Photo Coverage: York Theatre's TENDERLOIN Celebrates Opening Night
From: Photo Coverage: York Theatre's TENDERLOIN Celebrates Opening Night
From: Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of York Theatre's TENDERLOIN
From: Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of York Theatre's TENDERLOIN
From: Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of York Theatre Company's SMILING, THE BOY FELL DEAD
From: Photo Flash: Encompass New Opera Honors Marvin Hamlisch With Brian d'Arcy James, Lucie Arnaz & More
From: Photo Coverage: Barbara Cook Honored with York Theatre Company's 2011 Oscar Hammerstein Award
Sheldon Harnick
Sheldon Harnick
Sheldon Harnick
Sheldon Harnick, Cyrano: The Musical
Sheldon Harnick, The Rothschilds
Sheldon Harnick , The Apple Tree
Sheldon Harnick, Fiddler on the Roof
Sheldon Harnick, Fiddler on the Roof
Sheldon Harnick, Fiorello!
Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with a few top picks for jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including Sheldon Harnick's birthday celebration and Kyle Dunnigan's new hour.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Roald Dahl Story Company and Leeds Playhouse have announced casting for The Enormous Crocodile at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, running from 17 May – 8 June 2024.
The Dramatists Guild previously announced that playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He will be joined by two additional recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.
Long Wharf Theatre has announced its 2024/2025 season, with the theme Building Our Future Together. The 60th anniversary season is the theatre's second under its innovative new production model of presenting works across Greater New Haven to strengthen our civic bonds with the entire community. Learn more about the lineup here!
This time, the reader question was: With The Great Gatsby musicals happening now, are there other examples of musicals about the same subject?
La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment have announced their 2024/2025 season of shows.
The Aspen Music Festival and School and Theatre Aspen's fifth annual co-production will be the 9-time Tony Award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Concert. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Zecher is a much-loved member of New York’s cabaret community, and the community came out in droves to show their support for her latest cabaret – this time sharing the stage with her handsome musical director son, Joshua!
Bill Hanney’s award-winning North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is set to return for an expanded season of exceptional musical entertainment for North Shore audiences. Learn more about the season here!
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the return of chanteuse Niki Haris in her show “Grown Ass Woman” for two performances on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at 7:00 PM.
Join Jennifer Roberts on April 30 for the release show of TGR 42, celebrating the works of Sheldon Harnick.
Palo Alto Players has revealed its 94th season titled SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIONS THEATRE! See full programing and learn how to purchase tickets.
The Green Room 42 will present Nicole Parker, currently playing Celine Dion in the Off-Broadway hit Titaníque, as Jillane Jenkins in “Suitcase Full of Lies”. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.
Desert Theatricals 'Fiddler' stands tall and breathes LIFE into old TRADITIONS.
The Muny has revealed the teams of directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2024 season. Learn about the shows this season and see how to purchase tickets!
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the return of internationally acclaimed soprano Lisa Vroman in “Ingénue... Ingé-not-so-new!” on Sunday, March 31 at 7:00 PM. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Join The York Theatre Company for a one-night-only Spring Gala Concert featuring Liz Callaway. Experience 'Their Story Goes On: A Musical Celebration of The York' on Monday, April 15.
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Pam Goldberg in the next edition of “Pam Goldberg's 80th Birthday Spectacular!,” a celebration of the regional theater and occasional Broadway veteran. Learn how to purchase tickets.
After almost 30 years of preserving, celebrating, and championing the rich history of theater, The Theatre Museum, originally established as The Broadway Theatre Institute in 1995, announces the difficult decision to cease operations in 2024.
Umphress had the 54 Below audience in the palm of her hand this weekend with 15 STORIES.
Sheldon Harnick has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.
Sheldon Harnick has not appeared in the West End.
Sheldon Harnick has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career, including a Special Drama Desk Award from the Drama Desk Awards, a Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League Awards, and a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. He has also received nominations for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre from the Tony Awards for various productions such as Cyrano: The Musical, The Rothschilds, and The Apple Tree. Additionally, his work on Fiddler on the Roof earned him nominations for Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and another nomination for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre from the Tony Awards. Harnick also received a nomination for Best Musical from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Fiorello!
Sheldon Harnick has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Special Drama Desk Award from the Drama Desk Awards, the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards, and the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre from the Tony Awards. He also received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Fiorello!," as well as the Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre from the Tony Awards for "Fiddler on the Roof."
Sheldon Harnick has written 37 shows including Love in Two Countries (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952 (Composer/Lyricist), Two's Company (Composer), Shoestring Revue (Sketches), The Littlest Revue (Lyricist), Kaleidoscope (Lyricist), The Body Beautiful (Lyricist), Portofino (Lyricist), Joy Ride (Lyricist), Fiorello! (Lyricist), Tenderloin (Lyricist), Smiling the Boy Fell Dead (Lyricist), Smiling, the Boy Fell Dead (Lyricist), Man in the Moon (Lyricist), She Loves Me (Lyricist), To Broadway with Love (Lyricist), Fiddler on the Roof (Lyricist), Wet Paint (Material), The Apple Tree (Bookwriter), Her First Roman (Lyricist), Pinocchio (Lyricist), Alice in Wonderland (Lyricist), Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines (Libretto), Rex (Lyricist), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Lyricist), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Bookwriter/Lyricist), A Christmas Carol (Lyricist), A Wonderful Life (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Lyricist), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Lyricist), The Rothschilds (Lyricist), Cyrano - The Musical (Lyricist), Mostly Sondheim (Lyricist), Dragons (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Lyricist), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Composer), Rothschild & Sons (Lyrics).
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