amerike-hurrah

Page Title

Harold Arlen

Buron Lane

Carolyn

Leigh

Frank

Loesser

Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields

Leonard Bernstein

Sholom Secunda

Stephen Sondheim

Yip Harburg

AMERIKE HURRAH

A TRIBUTE TO JEWISH AMERICAN SONGWRITERS

George & Ira Gershwin

Irving Berlin

Did you know that Yipsele Hochberg wrote the lyrics to "Home on the Range?" Hymen Arluck composed the music for "Stormy Weather"? Izzy Baline wrote "Easter Parade," Schmuel Cohen wrote "Three Coins in the Fountain," and Yakov Gershowitz wrote "Rhapsody in Blue"?

The American names taken by these songwriters and much more is revealed in NAOMI MILLER'S tribute to the immigrants and children of immigrants whose early experiences with the Yiddish Theater and with America gave shape to their music, resulting in what has become known as the "American Popular Songbook."

Naomi's music is also shaped by her early experiences as an immigrant to America. Born after the War in a Displaced Person's Camp in Germany, she arrived in the United States speaking only Yiddish, just as many of the early Jewish American songwriters.

Researched, written and narrated by director, Harvey Miller, "Amerike Hurrah" is a funny and soul stirring story set to wonderful music.

Sammy Cahn

Adolph Green & Betty Comden

Cy Coleman

Jule Styne

.Jonathan

Larson

Jerry Herman

Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick

BACK TO A VARIETY OF SHOWS

Dear Colleagues,

I just had such a wonderful experience that I had to share it with you. I had hired Naomi Miller in the past to perform her show, “Amerike Hurrah – A Tribute to Jewish American Songwriters” for an adult education series. It was so well received that I hired her again to perform the show for our Renaissance Club. And then I had another idea. I wanted our Hebrew School students to hear about the contributions Jews have made to the American musical theatre, so I hired Naomi a third time to perform the show for them.

The students were absolutely mesmerized – and so were their parents who were invited to share the experience. Naomi and her husband, Harvey, had transformed the adult version of the show into one that truly related to the students. Naomi’s beautiful voice and great songs were accompanied by an informative and very entertaining narration. Janet Sosinsky’s piano accompaniment was absolutely brilliant. As a backdrop to all of this was a unique and creative Power Point presentation that was as beautiful to watch as it was educational.

What a wonderful way for our students to learn about the contri-butions of Jewish composers to American culture and how Yiddish theatre and American patriotism influenced their work. I heartily recommend this show.

Cantor Charles Romalis Temple Beth Tikvah