Latest Publication of Hammerstein’s Lyrics

The Complete Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II, was released by Knopf on December first. The book is a complete compilation of all the lyrics ever written by Oscar Hammerstein totaling 850. It also includes 81 photos and a forward by Oscar’s daughter, Alice Hammerstein Matthias, as well as an introduction by Ted Chapin the president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Foundation.

This book proved to be a seven-year project for Plabyill Broadway Yearbook editor Amy Asch.  The book is one of a series of six which are being published by Knopf, the first book in the series was The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin, edited by Robert Kimball and published in October 2001. Complete Lyrics was pre-dated by Reading lyrics, which was written by Robert Gottleib and Robert Kimball.

Rodgers & Hammerstein completed nine musicals in their day. These include Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, Me And Juliet, Flower Drum Song, The Sound of Music, State Fair, and Cinderella. Hamerstein also wrote several musicals on his own including Rose Marie, Show Boat and The Desert Song.  South Pacific tickets are currently available on Broadway, where the musical is appearing on stage at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

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