A memorial for Tony-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick—who passed away June 23, 2023, at the age of 99—was held November 9 at Broadway's Music Box Theatre.
The celebration of the famed lyricist featured Danny Burstein, Robert Cuccioli, Jason Danieley, Harvey
Fierstein, Rob Fisher, Jenn Gambatese, Jessica Hecht, John Kander, Judy Kuhn, Nancy Opel, David
Rockwell, Alan Schmuckler, Elena Shaddow, Alexandra Silber, Deborah Grace Winer, Sherman Yellen, and Karen Ziemba.
The event featured performances including "When Did I Fall in Love," performed by Elena Shaddow; "Now I Have Everything," performed by Jason Danieley; "The Shape of Things," performed by Jenn Gambatese; "In My Own Lifetime," performed by Robet Cuccioli; "Peppercorn," performed by Alan Schmuckler; "Far From the Home I Love," performed by Alexandra Silber; "A Butcher's Soul," performed by Nancy Opel; "Gorgeous," performed by Karen Ziemba; "Do You Love Me?," performed by Danny Burstein and Jessica Hecht; "Vanilla Ice Cream," performed by Judy Kuhn; and "L'Chaim," performed by Harvey Fierstein. Remarks were given by Burstein, David Rockwell, Deborah Grace Winer, Sherman Yellen, Beth Harnick Dorn, Rob Fisher, and John Kander, along with a message from Chita Rivera read by Ziemba.
View photos from the memorial below:
Mr. Harnick was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning three for the productions of Fiorello! (1960) and Fiddler on the Roof (1965). In 2016, he received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, the Drama League Award for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre, and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from The Outer Critics Circle.
In addition, he won a Pulitzer Prize, two Grammy Awards, two New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, three gold records, and a platinum record. Mr. Harnick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margery Gray, his children Beth Dorn and Matthew Harnick, and four grandchildren.
Read the complete Playbill obituary for Sheldon Harnick here.