In a career that stretched from the 1930s to the late 1960s, Sammy Cahn’s lyrics were everywhere: in the movies, on radio and television, and in musical theater. It was Cahn who took the Yiddish song favorite, “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon,” and gave it English lyrics – and gave the Andrews Sisters an early hit. It was Cahn who wrote the words for such Academy Award-winning numbers as “All the Way,” “Three Coins in the Fountain” and “Call Me Irresponsible,” as well as nominated numbers such as “I Fall In Love Too Easily” and “It’s Magic.”  And it was Cahn whose easy-going and clever lyrics – many written for and popularized by Frank Sinatra – were spotlighted in the 38^th season’s kickoff program, in mid-January, of the 92^nd Street Y’s deservedly-fabled Lyrics & Lyricists series.

Hosted by Ted Sperling, who was also artistic director, the evening was an easy-going stroll through Cahn’s enduring hits as well as his career, quips and comic parodies. The show’s pleasant performers were Mr. Sperling, Laura Marie Duncan, Julian Fleisher and Clarke Thorell; the impressive Capathia Jenkins; and, with a quiet yet star-like command of  a song, Karen Morrow. Sparkling arrangements were created and conducted by Jeffrey Klitz.

Next up, over the weekend of February 23-25: the lyrics of Fred Ebb.

Peter Haas
Cabaret Scenes
January 13, 2008
www.cabaretscenes.org