Richard Rodgers' contributions to the musical theatre of his day were extraordinary, and his lasting impact on America's musical fabric has been profound. His career spanned more than six decades, and his hits ranged from the bright lights of Broadway, to the silver screens of Hollywood, to London and beyond. He was the recipient of countless awards, including Pulitzers, Tony’s, Oscars, Grammy’s and Emmys. He wrote more than 900 published songs, and forty Broadway musicals. Babes in Arms, The Boys from Syracuse, Pal Joey, Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music have left their mark as among the most popular and important musicals of all time.
Rodgers' work with lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II gave the world songs that are still being performed regularly on the stage, in cabarets, in homes, in schools...indeed, just about everywhere and by everyone. The list of hits and standards is almost unfathomable: "Blue Moon", "My Romance", "Where Or When", "My Funny Valentine", "The Lady Is A Tramp", "Falling In Love With Love", "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered", "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'", "People Will Say We're In Love", "You'll Never Walk Alone," "It Might As Well Be Spring", "Some Enchanted Evening", "Getting To Know You", "My Favorite Things" and many many more.
The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts proudly dedicates its 16th annual Oregon Festival of American Music THE SWEETEST SOUNDS (August 1-11, 2007, Eugene, Oregon) to Rodgers' extraordinary career. Retiring Jazz Advisor Dick Hyman, incoming Jazz Advisor Ken Peplowski, Music Director and Conductor James Paul, and a host of guest artists offer up 11 wonderful days of concerts, recitals, musicals, films, talks, youth and senior music camps and more. Of special note, this summer's features two fully-staged, all-new musicals: Rodger & Hart's 1937 musical comedy masterpiece BABES IN ARMS (recreated in its original 1937 version) and Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1949 great musical drama SOUTH PACIFIC.
For more information, call The Shedd Institute at 541-687-6526.